Nick White
Selena Gomez, the multi-talented singer and actress, has firmly declared her intentions to step out of the viral spotlight. The 31-year-old star took to her Instagram Story on Tuesday to assert that she is done with being turned into internet memes.
“I will never be a meme again,” wrote Gomez, who had recently attended the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs). She continued, “I’d rather sit still than be dragged for being myself. Much love.”
This proclamation came on the heels of Gomez finding herself transformed into a meme last month, thanks to a candid photo of her wrapped cozily in a blanket, gazing thoughtfully into the distance. While this viral moment showcased her endearing side, Gomez appears to be taking a step back from the meme culture.
However, despite her declaration, Gomez’s reactions during the 2023 MTV VMAs still managed to spark several viral moments. One such moment occurred during Olivia Rodrigo’s performance when pyrotechnics were set off, and the stage seemed to malfunction, resembling the music video for Rodrigo’s song “Vampire.” Gomez was caught on camera looking concerned and covering her ears.
Fans quickly began to speculate about the reason behind Gomez’s reaction, with some suggesting it was related to the performance. Gomez swiftly debunked these rumors by commenting on an Instagram post from BuzzfeedCeleb that had featured the moment and a headline about her concern. She clarified, “I heard a loud noise, and it scared me.”
Furthermore, Gomez voiced her opinion about another viral incident from the VMAs. When Chris Brown, who has a history of legal issues, was nominated in the best R&B video category, a clip captured Gomez scrunching up her face in response. This image circulated widely on social media, and on iHeartRadio Australia’s Instagram post of the moment, Gomez responded with a dismissive, “Who cares lol.”
Gomez’s journey into meme territory initially began when her friend Dominic J West shared the now-famous photo of her snuggled up in a blanket on his Instagram Story in mid-August. The image went viral, with fans comparing Gomez to characters from horror movies and iconic movie scenes.
In response to the internet’s creative interpretations, Gomez shared two of her favorite memes featuring the photo on her Instagram Story. One meme humorously likened her to a horror movie character, while another compared her to an old picture of her abuela (grandmother) from Mexico, taken during a year without rain.
Even more recently, Gomez once again became the subject of online amusement when she was caught on camera with wide eyes and an open jaw during a soccer game between Lionel Messi and goalkeeper John McCarthy in Los Angeles on September 3. The video and a snap of Gomez’s reaction, which she labeled “Mood,” were shared on social media platforms, further solidifying her presence in the meme sphere.
While Selena Gomez may be declaring her intent to steer clear of meme fame, her genuine reactions and candid moments continue to captivate the internet. In a world where viral moments come and go, Gomez’s authenticity shines through, reminding us all to stay true to ourselves, whether we become memes or not.
