Selena Gomez celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, honors the ‘sacrifices’ her family made for a ‘better future’
Selena #Selena
Selena Gomez is celebrating her Latin background and sharing what it means to her in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. The Rare Beauty mogul shared a video in partnership with her beauty brand, which is showcasing several Latinx creators and asking them what they’re made of.
In the video, Gomez says “I’m made of my last name and my heritage. They’re the reason I am who I am.”
The 30-year-old captioned the post, “Hispanic Heritage Month is coming to an end, but I’m proud of my heritage every month. It breaks my heart to see so many instances where people use someone’s background to divide, rather than celebrate what we each bring with our rich cultures and stories. I’m only here today because of the sacrifices my family made to provide a better future.”
Gomez’s followers applauded the post.
“SO PROUD. Celebrating our beautiful community every day of the year!” commented the Rare Beauty Instagram account.
“This is so important, we need to show more of the Latin community and stop having stereotypes. This community is beautiful, full of joy and we have a lot to teach about our culture,” wrote one of Gomez’s followers.
Rare Beauty posted the full clip of the My Mind & Me star sharing what she’s made of for the brand’s Hispanic Heritage Month campaign.
Gomez says she’s made of “the sacrifices my family made in order for me to be in this position right now.”
“I’m second generation — my dad was born in Texas and so was I. But if it didn’t take my grandparents coming in the back of a truck, and waiting 18 years for citizenship… it was really hard. I can tell that I’ve been to a place where I can take care of my family now and feel really great about it and know that they’re the reason I am who I am,” she said.
The “Lose You to Love Me” singer has frequently spoken about her Latin heritage and the pride she has for her background. In 2021, the singer shared her family’s story for YouTube Music’s Artist Spotlight Stories. In the video, she details her grandparents’ journey from Mexico to Texas.
“I wanted to share my story because I am very proud of who I am. As a Mexican woman, I’ve learned so much and I continue to learn so much. My purpose in life is just beyond being a good role model, it’s being a good person,” the Revelación singer shared.
In a 2020 interview with Dazed, Gomez shared, “I’m always very vocal about my background, as far as me talking about immigration, and my grandparents having to come across the border illegally. I wouldn’t have been born. I have such an appreciation for my last name. I’ve rereleased a lot of music in Spanish as well, and that’s something that’s gonna happen a bit more. So there’s a lot more I would love to do because I don’t take it lightly, I’m very honored.”
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