Selena Gomez: Why She’ll Keep Passionately Fighting Fat Shamers

Step aside, haters! Selena Gomez has some words for those who fat-shamed her, and her desire to tell off the critics isn’t just for her own personal gain. HollywoodLife.com has the EXCLUSIVE scoop on how the singer plans to be a voice empowering women against the bullies.

Selena Gomez, 23, isn’t going to let online bullies’ mean words get to her, and she’s urging her fans to do the same. The “Same Old Love” singer is looking better than ever these days, but she has no plans to stop standing up to those who have fat-shamed her, as well as other females, HollywoodLife.com has EXCLUSIVELY learned.

“This isn’t just about people being mean on social media about her weight,” an insider tells HollywoodLife.com EXCLUSIVELY. “It’s about fighting for all the young women out there who struggle with weight issues.” The 23-year-old has admitted to battling the illness Lupus, which tends to cause bloating and puffiness, and she’s “most protective” of other women with this condition.

And it’s not just about weight, either. “Selena wants to be the ambassador of anti-bullying on all levels,” our source adds. “And she doesn’t plan on backing down any time soon. Its all about self-empowerment, not only for herself, but for her fans and the countless young people who get picked on for the way they look. Selena fully embraces being their voice.”

Justin Bieber’s ex admitted in a new interview that she had been getting a lot of comments about her “weight gain” when she went to Mexico in April. Considering she was there to work on music, it was the perfect time to spill her feelings about this into song. “I felt like everybody was saying so much and I’m like, ‘I need to say something…’ [The songs I wrote] on the record are “Survivor,” “Kill ‘Em With Kindness,” and “Rise.” It’s all geared toward me trying to be heard, and I think this is the best thing I’ve ever done in my career and I’m so excited.”

Being able to send this message is “one of the reasons why she’s so passionate about her new album,” our insider explains. “It’s all about confidence and standing up for what you believe in.” We LOVE seeing Selena stand up for herself — especially considering we always thought she looked so great — and can’t wait to hear what she has to say on the record.

HollywoodLifers, do you think Selena should keep acknowledging the fat shamers?

— Alyssa Norwin