VIDEO: Selena Gomez sparks outrage over selective, performative activism

Selena Gomez is facing backlash after posting a tearful video about the US immigration crackdown, with many questioning whether her reaction was performative given her estimated USD 1.3 billion net worth.

Critics argue that someone with her resources could take concrete action rather than simply crying on social media.

Gomez, who has Mexican heritage, shared a now-deleted emotional clip, saying, "All my people are being attacked, and children." Struggling to hold back tears, she added, "I wish I could do something but I can't." She captioned the video with "I'm sorry" and included a Mexican flag emoji.

However, many were quick to criticize her response, pointing out that she has the financial means to provide real assistance rather than simply making an emotional appeal. Others noted her silence on other humanitarian crises, particularly the ongoing genocide in Gaza, where thousands have been killed over the past year.

Selena Gomez has tears for “children” immigrants but none for the children of Gaza. Wonder why that is?

“Apparently it’s not okay to show empathy for people”

Apparently not. pic.twitter.com/Xhp198QR92

— HOT SPOT (@HotSpotHotSpot) January 28, 2025

Selena gomez only cares about it when it's HER PEOPLE but she didn't care when it was Palestinians https://t.co/wwUQ6hruY0

— Messy (@waldorfnewyorks) January 27, 2025

Did you know that genocide led us here? Did you know that our struggles are connected? Did you know that it mattered for you Selena Gomez to speak up LOUDLY against a genocide being committed by Biden et al? Im sorry, but it mattered then. Instead you got together w/ a Zionist. https://t.co/OSKtYMK9g7

— Danya (@dandoon_danya) January 27, 2025

So filming yourself crying is going to help anyone? Or will that just help yourself to get more views and attention 

Maybe wait until you’re finished crying and make a video with some actual ideas and solutions 

I just love watching these rich & famous people cry. 

— Muskrat Piss (@MuskratPiss) January 27, 2025

this feels very performative

— poppy  (@imnotpopbase) January 27, 2025

Selena Gomez net worth is over a billion dollars, and she took to IG to film herself fake crying for illegal Mexicans immigrants… She should move them into her home, pay for their attorneys, and help them become legal American citizens pic.twitter.com/WgInD4gcPE

— HarrietEve9 (@HarrietEve9) January 27, 2025

Billionaire Selena Gomez whining online like a helpless damsel? Spare us the theatrics. Peak privilege, zero self-awareness. A parody of herself. My GOD the rich are useless.

—  (@hausofriya) January 27, 2025

Selena Gomez crying on the internet about her people getting deported , and not knowing what to do.

Ma’am your networth is estimated at 1billion dollars

You could literally make a town your personal compound and house them if you wanted to

— Jypsies (@desmeyon) January 28, 2025

Gomez later deleted her video but returned to social media to respond to the backlash, writing, "Apparently it's not OK to show empathy for people." That message was also later removed.