In a powerful and heartfelt statement, musician Grimes publicly condemned the ‘high school level bullying’ directed at Selena Gomez after stills from her ‘In the Dark’ music video went viral, advocating for strict measures against body shaming on social media platforms like X.
In a powerful display of solidarity and a fierce rebuke of internet toxicity, musician Grimes, real name Claire Boucher, recently launched into a lengthy defense of fellow artist Selena Gomez. The controversy ignited when “weird” stills from Gomez’s new music video, “In the Dark,” went viral, prompting a wave of critical comments about her appearance. Grimes’ response went beyond mere defense, evolving into a broader call for accountability against online body shaming, labeling it as “dehumanizing” and advocating for platform suspensions for offenders.
The core of the online attack stemmed from a commenter who claimed Gomez, 33, had undergone plastic surgery and ended up looking like an “X Files monster of the week,” basing this harsh critique on blurry captures from her video. Grimes, 37, expressed her profound dismay, stating the comments made her consider leaving the internet entirely. She countered the criticism directly, asserting that “besides a few weird derp shots that ppl were able to clip and super misrepresent how she looks she looks extremely beautiful, is prob one of the most beautiful girls,” as reported by People. She urged critics to imagine the emotional toll such public scrutiny would take, questioning the moral integrity of those who seek “clout at the expense of everybodies mental health.”
The “Culture Death” of Online Bullying: Grimes’ Powerful Call to Action
Grimes’ defense of Selena Gomez swiftly moved beyond a single incident, addressing the systemic issue of online bullying. She passionately argued against the normalization of such behavior, asserting that “it shud not be ok to do high school level bullying. Accounts shud be suspended for body shaming en masse.” The singer, who shares three children with X owner Elon Musk, reiterated that the viral stills were taken completely out of context, emphasizing that the images did not accurately represent Gomez’s appearance in the video. This sentiment was echoed across various publications, with The Blast highlighting her firm stance against such online harassment.
The heart of Grimes’ message questioned the long-term impact of such negativity. “How do u think little girls feel reading stuff like this about another woman?” she asked, underscoring the broader societal damage. She concluded her powerful post by lamenting that body shaming being “socially acceptable behavior is culture death – not just for the Selena or the writer but everyone who sees this and engages with this level of dehumanization.”
Selena Gomez’s Ongoing Battle with Body Image and Lupus
For Selena Gomez, public scrutiny over her appearance is unfortunately not a new phenomenon. The “Only Murders in the Building” star has long been open about her struggles with lupus, an autoimmune condition that causes “weight fluctuations” and other health issues like kidney problems and high blood pressure. She has candidly discussed how this condition directly impacts her body image, noting in a November 2019 interview on her podcast Giving Back Generation, that “for me, that’s when I really started noticing more of the body image stuff.”
Gomez has consistently used her platform to speak out against body shaming. In her 2022 documentary My Mind & Me, she revealed the deep pain caused by such comments, stating, “nobody deserves to hear those things.” She has shared how therapy, specifically dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), has been crucial in helping her process the emotional impact of the criticism and better understand the connection between her health and public perception. Her ongoing openness serves as a vital reminder of the human impact behind online comments, reinforcing why Grimes’ defense resonates deeply with many.
“In the Dark” and Beyond: Gomez’s Latest Musical Endeavors
The music video for “In the Dark,” which sparked this recent wave of controversy, was released on October 23. The track is featured on Nobody Wants This Season 2: The Soundtrack. This release marks Selena Gomez’s first solo single in nearly two years, following her collaborative album I Said I Loved You First with now-husband Benny Blanco earlier in March. Directed by Luke Orlando, the “In the Dark” video features Gomez dressed in all-black outfits, performing the emotional song in open spaces, with Gomez noting it was a “nostalgia droplet” nodding to her 2015 “Revival” album.
A Broader Conversation: Grimes on Beauty Standards and Mental Health
Grimes’ staunch defense of Selena Gomez is consistent with her own history of speaking out about societal pressures and mental well-being. She has previously criticized the intense beauty standards prevalent online and in media. In a past post on X, she wrote, “do any other women feel like ur being choked to death on beauty culture? Can i go somewhere where someone isn’t shoving ‘dont you want to be beautiful’ down my throat.” She also reflected on the detrimental effects these standards have on young women, expressing frustration that she wouldn’t be able to protect her own daughter from such pressures.
Beyond beauty standards, Grimes has also been open about her own mental health journey, revealing a diagnosis of ADHD and autism, and suspecting dyslexia. She reflected on how these conditions shaped her creativity, noting she was glad to have overcome challenges without early intervention. Her consistent advocacy highlights a broader cultural struggle, where public figures like Gomez and Grimes navigate intense scrutiny and advocate for a more empathetic and accountable online environment.
The strong stand taken by Grimes in support of Selena Gomez serves as a potent reminder for fans and critics alike about the human cost of online “bullying.” It calls for a collective re-evaluation of how we engage with celebrity culture and the broader implications for mental health in digital spaces. As both artists continue to share their work and their truths, their voices contribute to an essential conversation about empathy, accountability, and the urgent need for kinder online communities.
