Selena Gomez Unfiltered: Navigating Love, High-Profile Exes, and Dating in the Public Eye

In a remarkably candid and revealing interview, global superstar Selena Gomez offered an unfiltered glimpse into her personal life, discussing past relationships, the complexities of celebrity romance, and the unique challenges of dating during a global pandemic. Speaking with acclaimed makeup artist Nikkie de Jager (known to millions as NikkieTutorials) on September 6, Gomez, 28, didn’t shy away from revealing intimate details and humorous insights while promoting her acclaimed new makeup line, Rare Beauty. Among her most striking admissions, Selena playfully noted that many of her past loves might consider her “crazy.” This statement immediately brought to mind her highly publicized relationships with some of the biggest names in music and entertainment, including Justin Bieber, The Weeknd, and Nick Jonas, alongside rumored romances with figures like Orlando Bloom and Niall Horan.

The conversation, which quickly resonated with fans worldwide, highlighted the often-unseen pressures and emotional landscapes that define a celebrity’s love life. For Selena, who has been in the public eye since childhood, every romantic connection has been subjected to intense scrutiny, speculation, and media coverage, shaping her public narrative and influencing her artistic output.

The topic of dating began to unfold around the 19-minute mark of the interview, sparked by Gomez gushing over her personal makeup artist, Hung Vanngo. With a touch of characteristic humor and a hint of wistful resignation, she quipped, “He will be doing my makeup for my wedding, which is never gonna happen.” This lighthearted comment quickly transitioned into a more serious discussion about the stark realities of navigating the dating scene amidst the unprecedented circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic. The global health crisis has undeniably reshaped social interactions, and for a celebrity like Selena, who already faces immense challenges in forming genuine connections, the added layer of isolation and caution has made finding romance even more daunting.

“It’s hard in quarantine,” Selena candidly admitted about her dating prospects during the ongoing global health crisis. She quickly followed this confession with an important disclaimer, emphasizing that her comment was “not an invitation” for potential suitors to slide into her DMs. “It’s just funny that I release things that like say I want a boyfriend and stuff and people say it, and I’m like, ‘I didn’t really mean it, though. Guys are a lot of work,'” she explained, seemingly referencing her popular 2020 track titled, “Boyfriend.” This sentiment reflects a deeper understanding of self-worth and independence that Selena has cultivated over the years, prioritizing her own well-being and creative pursuits over the constant pressure to be in a relationship. She solidified her carefree attitude by adding, “Every one of my exes thinks I’m crazy, so, I don’t care.” This final quip, delivered with a mix of humor and self-assurance, underscored her journey of self-acceptance and liberation from the opinions of others, especially those tied to her romantic past. It’s a powerful statement from someone who has often faced immense public judgment regarding her choices and relationships.

Selena’s open and honest remarks about her private life came as a delightful surprise to many fans, who are accustomed to her typically reserved approach to discussing past relationships. Her most prominent and enduring romance, the on-again, off-again saga with pop icon Justin Bieber, stretched from 2010 through 2018, becoming her longest romance to date. The tumultuous and highly scrutinized relationship, famously dubbed “Jelena” by fans and media alike, captivated millions and profoundly influenced the creative output of both artists. It served as a wellspring of inspiration for many chart-topping songs, including Selena’s emotionally charged 2014 hit “The Heart Wants What It Wants,” which delved into the irresistible pull of their connection despite its complexities. Later, her deeply poignant 2019 anthem “Lose You To Love Me” became an unequivocal narrative of healing and moving on from a toxic cycle, widely interpreted as her final goodbye to that chapter. This song resonated globally, solidifying her status as an artist who uses her vulnerabilities to connect with her audience on a profoundly human level. The intense public interest in “Jelena” often overshadowed Selena’s individual achievements, making her journey to redefine herself outside of that narrative even more significant.

Following her separation from Justin, Selena continued her path of self-discovery, finding love briefly with Grammy-winning singer The Weeknd. The pair were first spotted together in January of 2017, quickly becoming one of Hollywood’s most talked-about couples. Their romance unfolded beautifully and publicly, with romantic getaways to Italy and affectionate appearances at events like Coachella. Selena and The Weeknd made their highly anticipated red carpet debut as a couple at the prestigious 2017 Met Gala in New York City, radiating elegance and undeniable chemistry (as pictured above). Their relationship garnered significant media attention and fan excitement, showcasing a new, more mature phase in Selena’s dating life. The Weeknd proved to be a supportive partner during a particularly challenging period in Selena’s life. In September 2017, she bravely revealed that she had undergone a life-saving kidney transplant due to complications from her Lupus diagnosis. His presence and support during this critical time spoke volumes about their connection. Unfortunately, despite their strong bond and mutual support, the couple announced their split soon after, concluding their romance after 10 months of dating. Various reports suggested busy schedules and geographical distance played a role, though the lingering specter of her past relationship with Bieber was also cited by some as a contributing factor.

Beyond these major relationships, Selena’s dating history includes other notable connections that have captured public interest. She was linked to actor Orlando Bloom in 2014 and again in 2016, particularly after they were spotted getting cozy together in a Las Vegas nightclub. Despite the paparazzi frenzy, these encounters appeared to be more of a casual fling, with no long-term relationship materializing. At the time, Bloom was also linked to Katy Perry, adding another layer of intrigue to the brief speculation.

Another recurring figure in Selena’s romantic rumor mill has been former One Direction singer Niall Horan. The two have maintained a close friendship for years, leading a segment of fans to consistently “ship” them as a couple. However, Horan himself has repeatedly addressed romance rumors in the past, clarifying on numerous occasions that their relationship is strictly platonic. This highlights the ongoing challenge for celebrities to maintain genuine friendships across genders without fueling romantic speculation, a reality Selena has faced throughout her career.

Rewinding to her early days in the spotlight, Selena dated fellow Disney Channel star Nick Jonas in 2008, shortly after his highly publicized split from Miley Cyrus. This adolescent romance was a sweet, formative experience for both young stars. The “Good For You” singer even made a memorable appearance in the Jonas Brothers‘ “Burnin’ Up” music video that same year, cementing their status as a popular teen couple. Their relationship, however, was brief, concluding after several months of dating in 2009. While Selena and Nick did briefly rekindle their romance in 2010, the connection quickly fizzled out, underscoring the ephemeral nature of young love in the glare of Hollywood. Each of these connections, brief or long-lasting, has contributed to the narrative surrounding Selena’s romantic life, shaping public perception and providing fodder for tabloids.

Through all these experiences, Selena has emerged as a resilient and self-aware individual. Her focus has visibly shifted from the intense scrutiny of her relationships to her mental health advocacy and entrepreneurial ventures. The launch of Rare Beauty, her cosmetics brand, is deeply rooted in her mission to challenge unrealistic beauty standards and promote self-acceptance and individuality. This move signals her commitment to leveraging her platform for positive change, encouraging her audience to embrace their unique selves rather than striving for unattainable ideals. Her music, too, has evolved, becoming a testament to her journey of healing, self-love, and empowerment, resonating with millions who have faced similar emotional challenges. Her candidness in this NikkieTutorials interview is another extension of her commitment to authenticity, allowing her fans to see the real Selena behind the headlines.

Despite her current hiatus from dating while in quarantine, Selena has certainly not been idle. She has channeled her energy into creative and fulfilling projects, most notably documenting her culinary adventures with top chefs in her new HBO Max show, Selena + Chef. This delightful series showcases a more relaxed and relatable side of the star, as she navigates the kitchen with humor and humility, further endearing her to audiences. Her continued pursuit of diverse passions, from music and acting to entrepreneurship and cooking, illustrates a vibrant and multifaceted individual who is confidently charting her own course, irrespective of her relationship status. Selena Gomez remains a beacon of authenticity in Hollywood, proving that self-love and personal growth are perhaps the most fulfilling relationships of all.