Selena Gomez Reveals Struggles with Depression, Panic Attacks, Gives Touching Message at AMA 2016

By Aubrey Bartolome

The public has not seen her in two months, and in her first appearance since her self-imposed break, actress and singer Selena Gomez shared a heartwarming, honest and positive message to all her fans at the American Music Awards 2016.

Gomez announced that she was taking a break from her career last August due to having depression and panic attacks. She reportedly checked in at a rehab near Nashville, Tennessee. She appeared for the first time in almost three months at the American Music Awards to receive the award for Best Female Pop/Rock Artist.

"I think it's safe to say that most of you know a lot of my life whether I liked it or not, and I had to stop, 'cause I had everything, and I was absolutely broken inside. And I kept it all together to where I never let you down. But I kept it too much together where I let myself down," Gomez said as she started her speech to the audience.

Singer Selena Gomez
Singer Selena Gomez

Clad in a red dress, Selena Gomez pointed to her heart while saying , "I don't want to see your bodies on Instagram. I want to see what's in here."

She goes on to thank her fans for their loyalty, saying she does not what she had ever done to deserve their love. She finishes her speech by saying, "If you are broken, you don't have to stay broken." Her speech at the American Music Awards was met with thunderous applause by the audience, which included other singers like Lady Gaga.

The former star of the Disney show "Wizards of Waverly Place", Selena Gomez has become more vocal about her faith in the recent years. She describes herself as a Christian, and regularly attends Hillsong Church during Sundays.

Just this March, churchgoers who attended the Hillsong Young and Free concert, were pleasantly surprised to see Selena Gomez as one of the worship leaders on stage. She sang an original worship song entitled "Nobody", which is included in her "Revival" album. She wrote about the experience on her Instagram, and expressed her gratefulness for the grace of God in her life.

The song "Nobody" was written about her relationship with God and is a part of her repertoire in her "Revival" tour. She is also set to star as Hannah Baker in the movie adaptation of "13 Reasons Why."

  • [Exclusive Interview] A revelation within the brink of life and death — Meg Leung’s mission in Christian art

    Meg Leung (梁麗橋), an artist with a lifelong love for watercolor painting, sees her art as more than a means of expressing her inner world; it is a bridge connecting her to God. Her artistic journey has revealed God’s perfect plan and inspired her to communicate the power of faith through her wor

  • Transgenderism a fundamental human right? Hong Kong public disagrees, survey finds

    A 2024 survey from the Society for Truth and Light (明光社)'s Center for Life and Ethics Research reveals that respondents from various backgrounds prioritize personal safety and fairness when it comes to transgender issues. When laws involve moral judgments, most respondents believe courts should not make the decisions. The study also indicates that religious believers share similar views with non-religious respondents, reflecting that many churches may rarely address gender topics in depth.

  • Discipleship and Evangelism: Walking the Path of the Great Commission

    Like an ever-flowing spring, the gospel refreshes dry, parched lands and needs our unwavering passion and steadfast faith to transform lives and bring renewal. The "flame in our hearts" calls Christians to keep their faith and love for the Lord ablaze, representing the work and power of the Holy Spirit, driving us to proclaim God's glory boldly.

  • North America Chinese Evangelical Seminary year-end report highlights significant ministry progress

    As the year draws to a close, Rev. James Liu, President of the Chinese Evangelical Seminary North America (CESNA), reflected on the seminary’s remarkable growth and ministry development over the past year. Dedicated to providing theological education to Chinese Christians, CESNA continues to uphold its mission to remain faithful to the gospel and nurture believers. This year’s achievements span academic, ministerial, and outreach endeavors, fostering spiritual growth and advancing missionary wo