INQUISITR.COM / Entertainment

Selena Gomez: 2015 Proves Pop Star’s Ability To Avoid Controversy Despite Endless Headlines

By Sandra Johnson
Published on: 06:54 PST, Dec 28, 2015

Selena Gomez lives a big life. She’s besties with Taylor Swift, she’s been linked romantically to some of the biggest names in entertainment, and her music has an extremely wide fan base.

Yes, Selena Gomez had a big year in 2015, and it’s not exactly why you think. Sure, the 23-year-old pop star released a smash-hit album, Revival, in October, and during the same month, Gomez became an unofficial spokesperson for lupus when she revealed that she had been battling the illness and undergoing chemotherapy treatments for much of 2013 and 2014.

Yet, despite all of the professional things that Gomez accomplished in 2015, at least one media outlet argues that Gomez should be remembered for all the things she didn’t do. In an article titled “Why Everyone Needs To Leave Selena Gomez Alone in 2016”, an E! Online writer argues that Selena Gomez should be applauded for more than just her professional accomplishments.

Julia Hays wrote, “Despite the fact that she hasn’t licked doughnuts that aren’t hers, been embroiled in any celeb Twitter feuds, or caught in offensive outfits, the 23-year-old singer has still had to speak out and defend herself, countless times this year, just for being herself.”

Hays went on to write that Gomez had plenty to do to keep herself busy, yet she still had to spend countless hours defending herself against speculation and gossip.

“While much of 2015 was spent preparing for the October release of her second solo studio album, Revival, Gomez had to come out of media hiding to respond to rumors and shut down social media critics so her fans could know the truth about her relationships, her health, and her image.”

There is plenty of truth to what the E! writer says. Although Selena does always seem to be at the center of gossip headlines, it’s rarely for the wrong reasons, and more often than not, the headlines are pure speculation.

If anything, the former Disney star has given fans more of a reason to trust her throughout 2015, and her straightforward and forthright attitude has made her even more of a role model for fans — regardless of what tabloids may say.

But while Hays calls for a gentler treatment of Selena Gomez, the truth of the matter is that Gomez is likely to remain in the headlines, especially since news recently broke that Gomez is rumored to be dating One Direction band member Niall Horan.

Admittedly, who Selena Gomez is (or isn’t) dating is always a topic of conversation on the celebrity blogosphere, especially when hunky heavyweights and ex-boyfriends such as Justin Bieber and Nick Jonas are involved. However, the Niall Horan speculation seems to have grown legs, and many celebrity news outlets are running with it.

As noted by the E! article, the attention Gomez receives has caused the “Same Old Love” singer to be distrustful of nearly everyone, which is understandable. As the writer notes, Selena Gomez has grown up in front of and right along with her fans, and “growing up in the public eye can give some Internet commenters the impression that they’re entitled to know everything about their favorite celebs: even the things stars want to keep private.”

Regardless of what 2016 may hold for Selena Gomez, fans have come to expect a certain level of class and frankness from the former Wizards of Waverly Place star. Gomez dresses well, she’s respectful of fellow stars, and she has shown that she’s among the best when it comes to shutting ridiculous rumors down quickly. She always seems to present herself in an upstanding manner, and many fans are hoping for more of the same in 2016.

Find out more about some of the best moments Selena Gomez had in 2015 in the video below.

[Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images Entertainment for iHeartMedia]

Share this article: Selena Gomez: 2015 Proves Pop Star’s Ability To Avoid Controversy Despite Endless Headlines
selena gomez
More from Inquisitr