INQUISITR.COM / Entertainment

Selena Gomez Takes Time Off For Lupus, Anxiety: Mental Health Champion Demi Lovato Replaces Her

By Joanne Eglash
Published on: 06:57 PST, Sep 8, 2016

Selena Gomez recently announced that she is taking time off, linking her decision to her struggle with lupus and anxiety. As a result of Gomez’s decision, a door has been opened for Demi Lovato, who will become a headliner at the 2016 Global Citizen Festival, reported E News.

The festival is known as a yearly benefit concert, and Selena was scheduled to take a role as one of the headlined performers. Instead, Demi will replace her as a headliner at the event later this month.

Gomez was candid in discussing how the side effects of lupus have affected her physically and emotionally, with symptoms that range from anxiety to panic attacks. Selena explained that by taking a break, she feels she is making a “proactive” decision that puts the focus on her “health and happiness.”

Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato have raised awareness of mental health. [Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images]

In addition to the festival at which Lovato will replace her, Gomez had planned to continue her Revival World Tour in both Europe and South America. However, now through mid-December, Selena’s shows are canceled.

In contrast, Demi has expressed her enthusiasm for the opportunity provided by Gomez’s hiatus. The festival is designed to help put a stop to world poverty.

“I’m excited and proud to support this cause and perform at the Global Citizen Festival,” declared Lovato in a video on Twitter. “Join me and Global Citizen to help promote mental health, well-being and gender equality.”

Others headlining with Demi include Rihanna, Metallica, and Kendrick Lamar.

Lovato has become known as a mental health champion, advocating efforts to raise awareness of emotional health issues. Consequently, she and Selena have something in common in addition to music because both have made strides in that goal.

Demi now has gone one step further by becoming co-owner of a mental health and rehab center based in Los Angeles. It’s the same facility that treated Lovato, reported the New York Daily News.

Joe Jonas, Selena Gomez, and Demi Lovato share the red carpet. [Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images]

As for what motivated the 24-year-old singer’s decision to invest in CAST Centers, she explained that it felt like the right move.

“I don’t know what it says. It just feels good,” summed up Demi.

Lovato stayed there in 2013, describing herself as a “nightmare” patient. In addition to alcohol and drug abuse, Demi was struggling with bulimia and depression. She recalled thinking of herself as fated to burn out fast.

“I lived fast and I was going to die young. I didn’t think I would make it to 21.”

But Lovato succeeded in a complete transformation, going from a patient to a spokeswoman focused on ending the stigma still associated with getting help for emotional health concerns. Accompanying Demi on tour is CAST Center CEO Mike Bayer. At the concert venues, workshops provide fans with a way to seek help.

“It sounds ridiculous, but I kind of made a pact with God,” admitted Lovato. “And I don’t even think you’re supposed to do that, but I promised, ‘If You make me a singer one day, I’m going to use my voice for so much more than singing, and I’m going to help people with it.'”

But Gomez also is getting praise for opening up about her own mental health issues associated with lupus, noted People.

Selena had shared that she had lupus about a year ago, and she is now pointing out that her illness can “affect people in different ways.” For her, the challenges that came with the side effects of lupus include anxiety and panic attacks, leading to her decision to take time off.

Kenneth M. Farber, the co-CEO and co-president of the Lupus Research Alliance, expressed appreciation for Gomez’s decision to raise awareness of these issues.

“It is not commonly known that depression, anxiety and panic attacks can be side effects of lupus. We are so proud of Selena for taking care of herself and bringing awareness to this sometimes very misunderstood illness,” said Farber.

Gomez, like Lovato, attended rehab. She went to a facility not for addiction, however, but to recover after undergoing chemotherapy as part of her treatment for lupus, noted Teen Vogue.

“I needed time to just be okay,” emphasized Selena. “It’s really frustrating, because I am 100 percent allowed to have that.”

[Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images]

Share this article: Selena Gomez Takes Time Off For Lupus, Anxiety: Mental Health Champion Demi Lovato Replaces Her
selena gomez Demi Lovato
More from Inquisitr