5 Times Selena Gomez Handled Lupus Like A Queen

Selena Gomez has never shied away from talking about lupus and how it affects her life. Here are five times the triple-threat star inspired us.

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selena gomez lupus, Selena Gomez on the red carpet
photo credit: shutterstock

Selena Gomez deals with her health in the most inspiring way

Singer, actress and all-around good person, Selena Gomez, has been battling lupus since 2015 – and she recently shared on Instagram that she had a kidney transplant over the summer due to the disease.

For the unfamiliar, lupus (officially known as systemic lupus erythematosus) is a­­­n autoimmune disease that attacks healthy tissue. It can strike any part of the body at any time and often causes painful and swollen joints, fever, chest pain, hair loss, mouth ulcers, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue and a rash, which most commonly affects the face.

Gomez has been a vocal advocate for lupus ever since she was diagnosed. She’s spoken publicly about her struggles with the disease and how it’s impacted her life. She took time off from her very busy (and very successful) music career in 2016 to recover from “anxiety, panic attacks and depression,” which she said were related to her diagnosis. She then was forced to take time off this summer to recover from the transplant.

In honour of Gomez being inspiring AF, I rounded up five times when she showed lupus who was boss:

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photo credit: shutterstock

Selena Gomez lupus top moments no. 1

When she opened up for the first time about being diagnosed and receiving chemotherapy treatment in the October 2015 issue of Billboard magazine.

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Selena Gomez lupus, Selena Gomez on the red carpet
photo credit: shutterstock

Selena Gomez lupus top moments no. 2

When she talked about lupus on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and explained why she decided to go public with her diagnosis.

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Selena Gomez lupus, Selena performing on stage
photo credit: shutterstock

Selena Gomez lupus top moments no. 3

When she announced that she’d be taking a break from her career to focus on her mental health. She admitted that anxiety, panic attacks and depression are a side effect of lupus, and that she needed to take time away to focus on “maintaining her health and happiness.”

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Selena Gomez lupus, Selena Gomez on the red carpet
photo credit: shutterstock

Selena Gomez lupus top moments no. 4

When she was completely honest and open about her 2014 stay in rehab – which was connected to her disease, not substance abuse – telling InStyle that it was a combination of equine therapy and being disconnected from the world (no phone!) that really helped her heal.

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Selena Gomez lupus, Selena Gomez performing on stage
photo credit: shutterstock

Selena Gomez lupus top moments no. 5

Finally, when she announced that her longtime friend, Francia Raisa, had donated a kidney after doctors told Gomez she needed a transplant due to her lupus.

Want to hear more about celebs and their health journeys? Check these out:

Selena Gomez Opens Up About Why She’s Been MIA Lately
• Celebrities and Weed: Which Celebs Smoke Pot For Medical Reasons?
• Is Gwyneth Paltrow Right About The Keto Diet?

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