Selena Gomez recently shared a deeply personal insight into her mental health journey, revealing an emotional reaction to her marriage to Benny Blanco. At Fortune’s Most Powerful Women conference, the superstar candidly discussed her ongoing struggle to embrace moments of joy, fearing they might disappear, a testament to her long battle with mental and physical health challenges.
For years, Selena Gomez has been an open book about her struggles, transforming personal pain into a platform for advocacy. Her recent marriage to music producer Benny Blanco marked a joyous milestone, yet even this profound happiness was met with a deeply honest and vulnerable reaction from the star. During her appearance at Fortune’s Most Powerful Women conference on October 15, 2025, Gomez shared a surprising revelation about her wedding day, shedding further light on her ongoing journey with mental health.
A New Chapter: Marriage to Benny Blanco
On September 27, 2025, Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco officially tied the knot in an intimate ceremony in California. The couple, who had been dating for two years, celebrated their union in a star-studded event that saw guests like Taylor Swift, Steve Martin, Martin Short, Paul Rudd, Cara Delevingne, Ed Sheeran, and SZA. Fans erupted in pure joy upon hearing the news, celebrating what many affectionately called her “happy ending” after years of public struggles.
Benny Blanco, whose real name is Benjamin Joseph Levin, is a renowned music producer with an impressive roster of collaborations including artists like Ed Sheeran, Katy Perry, Britney Spears, and Rihanna. He even worked with two of Gomez’s former partners, The Weeknd and Justin Bieber. In a heartfelt Instagram post, Blanco celebrated their nuptials with the caption, “I married a real life disney princess,” capturing the adoration of fans worldwide. A source close to the couple told People that there was “so much love in the room” and that the newlyweds were “glowing all night.”
The Unforeseen Reaction: Joy Mixed with Dread
Despite the overwhelming happiness of her wedding day, Selena Gomez confessed to experiencing an unexpected and profound emotional response. Speaking at Fortune’s Most Powerful Women conference, Gomez openly shared her difficulty in embracing joy without the looming fear of its disappearance. “This is how I work personally, but something great happens in my life, I expect something bad to happen,” she explained. “So instead of being present and saying, ‘OK, wow, we’ve done a great thing,’ which I do, I’m always thinking, ‘OK, but this could all go away tomorrow, so how can I make sure that doesn’t happen?'” Her candid admission culminated in a powerful, vulnerable statement: “I got married and then I was sobbing because I was like, ‘I’m gonna die the next day.’” This insight into her emotional processing highlights the enduring impact of her mental health journey, even in moments of profound happiness, as reported by People.
The Most Powerful Women conference provided a platform for Gomez to discuss not only her personal life but also the impressive success of her Rare Beauty brand, which is valued at over $2 billion. Her ability to candidly discuss her inner turmoil while managing such a successful enterprise showcases her incredible resilience, as highlighted by Fortune.
A Decade of Resilience: Selena’s Mental Health Journey
Selena Gomez’s journey with mental and physical health has been a long and public one, shaping much of her adult life and career. In 2014, she was diagnosed with lupus, an autoimmune disease that required chemotherapy and intensive hospital visits. Beyond her physical health, Gomez has openly battled anxiety and depression for many years.
Her struggles culminated in a pivotal moment in 2020 when she received a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. This diagnosis, while initially terrifying, brought a sense of clarity and freedom. As detailed in her acclaimed Apple TV+ documentary, “Selena Gomez: My Mind and Me,” directed by Alek Keshishian, Gomez allowed cameras to capture the raw reality of her life, from her highest highs to her most challenging lows.
The documentary, which premiered on Apple TV+ on November 4, 2022, delves into her battles against these conditions, tracing her journey from a child actress on “Barney & Friends” and “Wizards of Waverly Place” to navigating the intense pressures of the entertainment industry. She revealed how the external pressure to succeed and constant media scrutiny, particularly surrounding past relationships like with Justin Bieber, contributed significantly to her worsening mental health, leading to a “psychotic break” and the cancellation of her Revival Tour.
Gomez has consistently championed the importance of seeking help and destigmatizing mental illness. She found strength through therapy, specifically dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), stating, “I wish more people would talk about therapy.” Her openness about checking into a psychiatric hospital for rehabilitation and her subsequent diagnosis of bipolar disorder empowered many to feel less alone in their own struggles. “Titles don’t scare me anymore because I claimed my own story,” she told Today’s Hoda Kotb, a sentiment that resonates deeply with her fan base.
Beyond Stardom: Advocacy and Empowerment
Through her candidness, Selena Gomez has become a leading voice in mental health advocacy. Her beauty brand, Rare Beauty, is founded on the principle of self-acceptance and aims to challenge unrealistic beauty standards. A significant portion of its mission is dedicated to raising awareness and providing resources for mental health initiatives, aligning perfectly with Gomez’s personal experiences and public message. The brand’s impressive valuation, highlighted at the Fortune conference, underscores the powerful impact of a business built on authentic values.
Her willingness to share her vulnerabilities, from body image struggles to her most private emotional turmoil, reminds her audience that even superstars face profound human challenges. Her message is one of empathy and resilience: “I also struggle with my own thoughts and feelings at times,” Gomez admits. “But this does not make me faulty. This does not make me weak. This does not make me less than. This makes me human.”
Fans’ Perspective: Celebrating a Hard-Won Happiness
The deep affection fans hold for Selena Gomez stems not just from her talent but from her authentic portrayal of life’s complexities. Her marriage to Benny Blanco, while a moment of personal triumph, is also a collective celebration for a community that has watched her navigate intense public and private battles. Her ability to find love and build a fulfilling life, despite her ongoing internal struggles, offers a powerful message of hope. The outpouring of support from fans, who describe themselves as “elated” and grateful that she “finally got her happy ending,” highlights the profound connection she shares with her audience.
A Continuous Journey
Selena Gomez’s latest revelation about her wedding day serves as a poignant reminder that the journey with mental health is continuous, even amidst life’s most joyful milestones. It is a testament to her strength that she continues to share these intimate struggles, further destigmatizing conversations around mental wellness. Her story is one of profound resilience, demonstrating that true happiness isn’t the absence of struggle, but the courage to embrace all emotions and continue moving forward, inspiring millions along the way.
