Pop star Selena Gomez announced in People Magazine today that she will be taking time off from her career due to severe complications from lupus. Gomez was diagnosed with lupus last year and underwent chemotherapy a few years prior to combat the autoimmune disease. At the time of her chemotherapy there were rumors that the starlet was in rehab for drugs, alcohol, or other “Hollywood” reasons that definitely aren’t exhaustion or dehydration. After that stint out of the spotlight, Gomez felt comfortable enough to go public with the illness and allow both her fans and detractors alike to understand exactly what she was going through.
Now, Gomez says she is attempting to “be proactive and focus on maintaining my health and happiness and have decided that the best way forward is to take some time off.” In her statements to People Selena also is thankful that during this period of staying away from the public eye she knows her fans are supporting her throughout. In regards to any specifics of her current issues she says,
“As many of you know, around a year ago I revealed that I have lupus, an illness that can affect people in different ways. I’ve discovered that anxiety, panic attacks and depression can be side effects of lupus, which can present their own challenges.”
It’s a brave choice to continually let the public into your private health issues, so Selena should be lauded for feeling comfortable enough with the industry and her own career that she is using her platform to raise awareness for lupus and its many possible complications. We wish Selena well in her battle against these rough side effects as well as the disease as a whole. In the meantime we will certainly be bopping along to our favorite Revival tracks until Gomez makes a triumphant return to the studio or the stage.
(via People)
