Selena Gomez is contemplating another departure from Instagram. On Thursday, November 2, the 31-year-old Rare Beauty founder expressed her frustration to her 430 million followers on the platform through an Instagram Story, which she later deleted. In the text post, she announced, “I’m taking a break and deleting my Instagram. I’m done. I do not support any of what’s going on.” While the IG story was swiftly removed, Selena’s Instagram account remained active at the time of this publication.
Just four days prior to her recent announcement, Selena had used the same platform to address the Gaza conflict. On Monday, October 30, she posted, “I’ve been taking a break from social media because my heart breaks to see all of the horror, hate, violence, and terror that’s going on in the world. People being tortured and killed or any act of hate towards any one group is horrific. We need to protect ALL people, especially children, and put an end to the violence for good. I’m sorry if my words will never be enough for everyone or a hashtag. I just can’t stand by innocent people getting hurt. That’s what makes me sick. I wish I could change the world. But a post won’t. Love, Selena.”
Numerous individuals on social media criticized the Disney Channel alum for maintaining a neutral stance, even though she had recently “liked” a pro-Israel post by comedian Amy Schumer, and despite her extensive Instagram following. A social media user expressed their frustration, stating, “Selena Gomez is currently the third most followed person on Instagram with nearly half a BILLION followers. A single post CAN make a significant impact. This is why I’m irritated when celebrities make a ‘neutral’ statement. They do it primarily to safeguard their reputation, not because they genuinely care.”
Should she choose to delete her account, it wouldn’t mark the first occasion when the Only Murders in the Building star has disengaged, or at least taken a step back from the platform. In a 2019 interview, she elucidated her frequent doubts about her presence on social media. “I believe our world is currently grappling with numerous challenges, of course,” she remarked during the Cannes Film Festival, as reported by CNN. “But, particularly for my generation, social media has had a detrimental impact.”
