Heartfelt Moments: Selena Gomez Gets Emotional on TikTok, Acknowledging the Overflow of Birthday Wishes at the Age of 30.
Today in inexplicably healthy social media interactions: Selena Gomez dropped an emotional message to her fans on TikTok. In the decade between her 20th and 30th birthdays, the singer and actress has endured a wide array of high-profile turbulence: the end of the Disney Channel show that shot her to fame, lupus and bipolar disorder diagnoses, the release of multiple hit solo albums, several social media breaks, multiple dramatic breakups, the launch of a Hulu show and an HBO Max show, the creation of her beauty brand and mental health fund, and—through it all—the steadfast attention of a committed fanbase.
Once the most-followed user on Instagram, she handed off her passwords and accounts to her assistant in 2017, taking a long break from internet infamy. But since returning—in particular as a beloved presence on TikTok—she’s made it clear she’ll only post when it’s in good, healthy fun. But after turning 30 on July 22, her latest TikTok took a noticeable departure from her usual self-deprecating content.
“Okay, I don’t really talk on TikTok, so this is a bit weird,” she admitted as she started recording. “I wanted to say thank you so much to every person that wished me a happy birthday. I got to see some of your messages; I don’t read a lot of comments but the few that I read were really, really sweet, and I just want you to know that I don’t take that for granted.” At this point, her eyes filled with tears.
“I also want to thank everyone who did contribute, even just a penny, to the Rare Impact Fund,” she continued, referencing the mental health fund she launched in conjunction with her beauty brand. “I could not be more grateful. And I’m 30, and I’m so far enjoying it, and I just want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for being in my life, for growing up with me. For putting up with me. [Laughs.] Thank you guys so much, and I hope you have a wonderful evening, night, day, morning, wherever you are.”
