Reactions to Selena Gomez’s heartfelt video: ‘Society promotes cruelty and ridicules kindness’
Selena Gomez received a wave of online support after the 32-year-old shared a tearful video regarding President Donald Trump’s plan to deport undocumented immigrants living in the U.S.
In a now-famous yet deleted Instagram Story, Gomez expressed her sorrow, saying she felt “so sorry” and broke down over how “all my people are being attacked.”
Being a third-generation Mexican American through her father, Gomez showed deep concern for children whose families might be at risk of deportation. “The kids — I can’t comprehend,” she remarked in screen recordings shared on social media, including by @PopBase. “I’m truly sorry, I wish I could help the children. I don’t know how. I’ll do everything in my power, I promise.”
Later that same day, Sam Parker, a former U.S. Senate candidate from Utah, crudely called for Gomez to be “deported,” criticizing her for favoring undocumented immigrants due to her family background. He commented on X, “Selena Gomez picked illegals over America because she’s the descendant of Mexican illegals who got citizenship in the ’87 Amnesty.”
In response, Gomez defended herself on social media, addressing Parker’s comments with, “Oh Mr. Parker, Mr. Parker. Thanks for the laugh and the threat.” Parker has not yet replied to YSL News’s request for his comments.
Despite Gomez not asking for assistance, many social media users stepped up to defend the Golden Globe-nominated actress and shared their thoughts on her emotional video.
Public responses to Selena Gomez’s video; some urge her to ‘do more’
After Gomez expressed her feelings about the plight of undocumented immigrants facing deportation, she garnered both criticism and support. Some users suggested that with her wealth and influence, Gomez could be doing more to support immigration advocacy.
One user on X suggested, “You have the means to make a significant impact,” recommending that she consider helping to “fund legal services, translation services, permanently support mutual aid programs, and create avenues for immigration assistance.”
Another social media user criticized the backlash against Gomez, stating, “The hatred towards Selena for showing empathy for those facing deportation is revolting.” They added, “Our society endorses cruelty while belittling kindness. She comes from an immigrant background and has even created a documentary on this very issue.”
Previously, Gomez has been outspoken regarding immigration policies.
In 2019, she worked as an executive producer on the Netflix docuseries “Living Undocumented,” which highlights the experiences of eight undocumented families in the U.S. “I’m troubled by how people are being treated in my country,” Gomez said about the project. “As a Mexican American woman, I feel it’s my obligation to use my platform to amplify the voices of those who are too frightened to speak out.”
She also wrote an essay for Time in the same year, mentioning that immigration is an issue she contemplates “daily.”
Other celebrities came to Gomez’s defense amid the criticism.
Flavor Flav, a member of the hip-hop group Public Enemy, commended Gomez for “speaking her truth,” declaring his support on X by saying he was “Team Selena Gomez.” He expressed, “This woman bravely shares her truth … and yet so many are quick to attack her.”
In an interview with Forbes in August 2024, Jason Mollica, a lecturer at James Madison University, discussed celebrities’ roles in political discourse.
“Celebrities often tread carefully when it comes to their online presence. Fans know what to expect from public figures like Ryan Reynolds or Beyonce on Instagram,” Mollica explained. “On the other hand, some stars are more vocal about their political beliefs and engage with their audience without fearing backlash.”
Political commentator Geraldo Rivera also praised Gomez for her candidness, suggesting she deserves recognition for her compassion and honesty.
“Those who are attacking her online should be ashamed,” the former Fox News Channel journalist said. “You can disagree without being disrespectful. Comprehensive immigration reform is essential, and we can’t merely rely on arrests to solve our immigration issues. Kudos to Selena.”
While some echoed Flav and Rivera’s sentiments, others believed Gomez’s video lacked sincerity or questioned her level of research before sharing her reaction.
Contributing: KiMi Robinson and Lauren Villagram,
