Selena Gomez has opened up about her experience of body shaming, after cruel trolls targeted her for gaining weight.
The singer, 30, admitted she had experienced weight gain as a side effect of taking medication to treat lupus.
Selena has been open about her battle with the autoimmune disease, revealing in 2015 that she had the condition.
She has since undergone chemotherapy and a kidney transplant, donated by her friend Francia Raísa, in a bid to treat the disease.
Lupus, a condition where the immune system attacks healthy parts of the body, can cause life-threatening damage to a person’s vital organs.
Common symptoms include inflammation, joint pain, rashes, and feeling tired, with anti-inflammatory medicines and steroids used as treatments.
Selena is currently taking medication to manage her symptoms, and took to TikTok to detail some of their side effects, including the “water weight” that she gains.
She also took the time to reassure anyone else experiencing the same issues.
Speaking to the camera, Selena said: “I tend to hold a lot of water weight and that happens very normally. When I'm off, I tend to lose weight.
“I just wanted to say and encourage anyone out there who feels any sort of shame for exactly what they're going through, and no one knows the real story, that you're beautiful and you're wonderful.
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"We have days where maybe we feel like sh*t, but I would much rather be helpful and take care of myself. My medications are important and I believe that's what helps me.
“So yeah, not a model, never will be – but then I think they're awesome mind you – I'm just definitely not that.”
After delivering her uplifting message, Selena took it upon herself to hit back at anyone who was happy to shame another person over the appearance of their body.
She said: “I just thought I'd tell you I love you guys and thanks for supporting me and understanding me.
“If not, then go away because I don't believe in shaming people for their body.”
Selena previously spoke out about her experience of being body shamed, and publicly defended herself in an Instagram Live broadcast last year.
It came after the singer and actress attended the Golden Globes in a velvet Valentino gown.
She said: “I'm a little bit big right now because I enjoyed myself during the holidays. But we don't care," she said, laughing and looking at her sibling Gracie, who appeared on the broadcast with her.
