my idol selena gomez essay

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Fans Think Jocelyn From "The Idol" — Which Is Co-Created By The Weeknd — Was Inspired By Selena Gomez's Life. Here Are 9 Uncanny Similarities.

" The Idol is probably just The Weeknd's Selena Gomez fanfic."

BuzzFeed Staff

Earlier this month, Euphoria creator Sam Levinson and Abel Tesfaye, otherwise known as The Weeknd , released their anticipated, co-created HBO series The Idol . The show has been hit with heavy criticism left and right, but the most unexpected side eyes come from those who feel the show is loosely inspired by events in a familiar pop star's life.

And that pop star is none other than Selena Gomez , who briefly dated The Weeknd in 2017.

One search of key words including "The Idol"  and "Selena Gomez" turned up thousands of results from fans on both Twitter and TikTok that compare scenes from the show to the 30-year-old singer's real life.

ever since finding out the idol is probably just the weeknd’s selena gomez fanfic i haven’t been able to sleep — alice ✷ (@aakosmicki) June 22, 2023

Here are the most uncanny resemblances people have pointed out:

1. up first is the most obvious comparison between the two: both the idol's lead character, joss, and selena gomez are pop stars who started as kid actors on a hit children's show..

Selena famously held her breakout role as Alex Russo on Disney's  Wizards of Waverly Place , and Joss's past acting gig remains unnamed but crucial to her origin story.

2. As Joss grew to fame, she and her mother had a tumultuous relationship that crossed the line into abuse. And while Selena Gomez has certainly never suggested that her mother physically harmed her in any way, their relationship has seen ups and downs.

In the past, Selena's mother vocalized her  disapproval  of Selena's relationship with singer Justin Bieber , as well as her working relationship with director Woody Allen after she was cast in his movie  A Rainy Day in New York. 

"No one can make Selena do anything she doesn't want to. I had a long talk with her about not working with [Allen] and it didn't click," Selena's mother wrote in an  Instagram post in January 2018. "Her team are amazing people. There is no fall person here. No one controls her. She makes all her own decisions. No matter how hard you try to advise. It falls on deaf ears."

3. In 2016, Selena Gomez canceled the last few months of her Revival world tour, citing struggles with "anxiety, panic attacks, and depression" following her lupus diagnosis. Likewise, viewers learn in the first episode of The Idol that Joss recently canceled her own world tour after her mother's passing, and she plans to make a comeback throughout the series.

4. Selena's own comeback following her cancellation includes the music video for her song "Bad Liar," which controversially included shots of the star rolling around a bed with a hospital bracelet on. In The Idol, Joss poses for a return-to-the-limelight cover story in lingerie and a hospital bracelet.

5. Selena's song "Bad Liar" also received a few side eyes for featuring "moaning sounds," which one blog referred to as "whiny, orgasmic noise," before commenting, "Nothing says try-hard like a randomly placed moan." In The Idol, The Weeknd's character, Tedros, coerces Joss into delivering real moans on a song that was recorded while the two were intimate.

6. One of the most heartbreaking scenes in the show includes a moment when Tedros manipulates Joss into starting a live video where she tells fans she wants to be real with them about what's going on in her life. During her monologue, she touches on harmful headlines in the media and says she "wants to make a promise" that she's "not going to let the trauma of my past affect the person I want to be moving forward."

Yeah this man is actually evil toward Selena Gomez. Regardless of how cringey The Idol is, this is just too much to write off.. https://t.co/dUc7hTUPlN pic.twitter.com/NkiinWTxen — antagonistic nightmare ♀ (@toxicexgf) June 28, 2023

As shown above, some fans have spliced this scene with an Instagram Live that Selena did in the past where she says, "I'm private so much because I'm terrified of what these magazines are going to say about me," and she promises to "be the best version of myself" during the next phase of her life.

Both Selena and Joss also say they're portrayed as "chaotic" or "going crazy" for their choice of using Live to share their message, but double down on their decision to do so. 

7. Outside of the pop stars' revelations concerning mental health, both have a best friend who doubles as their personal assistant. Joss has Leia and Selena has bestie Theresa Mingus.

View this photo on Instagram

8. In a recent episode, Tedros makes no secret about disliking Joss's assistant and suggests Leia is taking advantage of the star after learning they are collaborating on a joint business venture together. Well, in a less malicious vein, Selena regularly collaborates with Theresa's swim wear line, La Mariette, by promoting the brand via photo shoots and Insta posts.

What are your thoughts on the comparisons let us know in the comments., share this article.

My Idol Essay Writing Example For Students

Read following 5 short essay on topic my idol, mother, father, celebrity, hero and artist with short paragraphs for students and children.

Table of Contents

Essay 1: My Idol – My Hero

An idol is someone who we look up to and admire for their qualities and achievements. My idol is none other than Sachin Tendulkar, the cricket legend. I have always been a cricket fan and have seen many players come and go, but Sachin Tendulkar has always been my favorite. He is not just a cricket player, but a true inspiration for millions of people around the world.

Sachin Tendulkar is a true icon of sportsmanship, dedication, hard work, and humility. His passion for the game, his hard work, and his never-say-die attitude are qualities that I truly admire. His achievements speak for themselves, and his records are proof of his unparalleled skill and talent. But what I love most about him is his humble and down-to-earth nature, despite all his success and fame.

As a student, I draw inspiration from Sachin Tendulkar’s life and achievements. He teaches us that with hard work, dedication, and passion, anything is possible. He has shown us that there are no shortcuts to success, and that one must work tirelessly to achieve their goals.

In conclusion, Sachin Tendulkar is not just a cricket player but an inspiration to millions of people around the world. He has proved that hard work and dedication can lead to success, and that it is important to stay humble and grounded even in the face of immense fame and success. Sachin Tendulkar will always be my idol and a source of inspiration to me.

Essay 2: My Idol – Mother

My mother is my idol. She is the strongest, most hardworking and kind person I have ever known. She has always been there for me, no matter what. Her unwavering support and love has made me the person I am today.

My mother is a role model for me. She is a teacher, and she loves her job. She has always encouraged me to do my best and to follow my dreams. She has taught me to be kind, honest, and to always help others in need.

I am so grateful for everything my mother has done for me. She has sacrificed so much to give me the best life possible. I hope to one day be as strong and kind as she is.

Essay 3: My Idol – Father

My father is my idol. He is a hardworking and dedicated person. He has always been there for me, and has taught me many valuable life lessons. He is the one I turn to for guidance and support.

My father has worked hard to provide for our family. He has taught me the value of hard work, and has shown me how to be responsible and independent. He is a loving and caring person, and has always put his family first.

I admire my father for his strength, patience and wisdom. He has taught me to be respectful, honest and kind to others. He is my role model and I hope to make him proud one day.

Essay 4: My Idol – Celebrity

My idol is Beyoncé. She is a talented singer, dancer and actress. She is an inspiration to me and many others around the world.

Beyoncé has used her platform to raise awareness about social issues, and has supported many causes such as Black Lives Matter, gender equality and the fight against poverty. She is not just a celebrity, but a leader and an icon.

I admire Beyoncé for her talent, strength and courage. She has faced many challenges in her life and career, but she has never given up. She has shown me that with hard work and determination, anything is possible.

Essay 5: My Idol – Artist

My idol is Vincent Van Gogh. He was a Dutch post-impressionist artist who created beautiful and unique paintings. His art was not appreciated during his lifetime, but he is now considered one of the greatest artists of all time.

I admire Van Gogh’s passion and dedication to his art. He painted over 900 paintings in his lifetime, despite facing mental health challenges and poverty. His paintings are filled with emotion, and his use of color and texture is truly inspiring.

Van Gogh’s life story has taught me that art is not just a hobby, but a way of life. He has shown me that with hard work and perseverance, anything is possible. He is an inspiration to me and many other artists around the world.

Hello! Welcome to my Blog StudyParagraphs.co. My name is Angelina. I am a college professor. I love reading writing for kids students. This blog is full with valuable knowledge for all class students. Thank you for reading my articles.

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Is 'The Idol' about Selena Gomez? This is why viewers are convinced

The uncanny similarities to The Weeknd's famous ex have fans wondering: 'is The Idol about Selena Gomez?'

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We've been wondering it for weeks: is The Idol about Selena Gomez?!

Ever since the HBO pop-star drama The Idol debuted on Sunday, June 4, it has has prompted plenty of questions. Is lead actress Lily-Rose Depp singing for real? What's the controversy surrounding  The Idol ? (Catch up on all of that juicy drama between The Weeknd and  Rolling Stone here.) And, most dubiously, who is The Idol based on —is it Britney, is it Miley, or is it someone even closer to Abel "The Weeknd" Tesfaye, who is a star and co-creator of the series?

Some fans are convinced that Depp's character, the ambitious but troubled pop singer Jocelyn, is actually based on one of The Weeknd's most famous exes, Selena Gomez. But are they right? Here's what we know about the inspiration behind the controversial series.  

Is 'The Idol' about Selena Gomez?

In the premiere episode of The Idol , it's revealed that pop star Jocelyn (Depp) is preparing a comeback after having to cancel her last tour due to a "nervous breakdown" following the death of her mother to cancer. Aiming to regain her cultural status following the mental-health mishap, Jocelyn does a photoshoot for the cover of her new album, which features a curious accessory: a hospital bracelet. 

The choice of adornment reminds viewers of Jocelyn's recent facility stay, though her creative team is divided on including it on the cover. When Xander (Troye Sivan) asks Jocelyn's manager Nikki (Jane Adams) if the bracelet romanticizes mental illness, she's quick to reply: "Absolutely."

"You people are so out of touch, you college-educated internet people…mental illness is sexy," she tells him. 

Superfans of Selena Gomez will no doubt recognize the reference: the singer, who has been very open about her own mental-health struggles over the years, notably sported a hospital band of her own on the cover of her single "Bad Liar" back in 2017. (Gomez had just received treatment for lupus.) And guess who she was dating back in 2017? You guessed it, The Weeknd. (They broke up in October of that year, after dating for 10 months.) 

And just like Jocelyn, the "Calm Down" crooner also previously abruptly canceled dozens of dates of a huge tour—live shows supporting her 2015 album, Revival —for mental health reasons, citing side effects from lupus, including depression and anxiety.

The Idol viewers have also speculated that Jocelyn's relationship with her best friend-slash-assistant Leia (Rachel Sennott) on the show is eerily similar to the IRL friendship between Selena and Raquelle Stevens, who showed up frequently throughout the singer's Apple TV documentary, My Mind & Me . 

As for the similarities between Jocelyn and his famous ex-girlfriend, The Weeknd said during a Cannes press conference in May 2023: "Jocelyn is definitely inspired by my experiences and the experiences of other artists that I've witnessed, male and female." 

The series co-creator, Euphoria's Sam Levinson, doubled down on refusing to name names where inspiration was considered, adding during the Cannes panel: "We’re not trying to tell a story about any particular pop star."

Instead, the show is more a criticism of the culture of fame than one specific figure. Levinson said of pop stardom: “It’s a lot of pressure—to have to constantly be on, and to be what everyone wishes you to be. 

"It’s a lonely life… We can all pretend that everyone is looking out for someone’s best interest, but I think fame really corrupts; it’s really easy to surround yourself with myth-makers who continue to prop us up."

Fans react to those 'The Idol' Selena Gomez similarities

Viewers of The Idol were the first to pick up on the comparisons between Selena and Jocelyn whilst watching the show, with plenty of them expressing their disapproval at the similarities between the real-life woman and the fictional character. 

selena gomez watching the idol pic.twitter.com/o01cWciakR June 5, 2023

who watched the first ep of the idol? i hope they’re not trying to take a dig at selena bc i will fight pic.twitter.com/F1EBSk5c0J June 5, 2023

Rachel Sennott’s character in The Idol is definitely based on Selena’s handler “bestie” Raquelle June 5, 2023

Omg is it me or is The Idol very similar to Selena Gomez’s documentary? Of her and her bff?? Like lots of similarities #TheIdol June 6, 2023

i feel like #theidol is the weeknd's way of taking shots at a certain artist....me thinks his ex selena gomez. all this talk about superficial music...im onto you abel! pic.twitter.com/bTzKjBtzdv June 19, 2023

Ou the Selena Gomez shade #theidol pic.twitter.com/cClrjAyiIO June 5, 2023

my main take away from the Idol is that I hope selena gomez is doing okay and am glad she is away from that man June 6, 2023

I feel like the idol is heavily inspired by Selena Gomez after seeing her documentary and I feel like Abel is so gross 😭I can’t unsee it😭🫣 June 12, 2023

The Idol airs on Sundays at 9pm on HBO and Max, with the finale episode airing on Sunday, June 2. 

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Is ‘The Idol’ inspired by Selena Gomez’s life? The rumors explained

Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye, along with Sam Levinson and Reza Fahim have created one of the most controversial shows in television history with The Idol . Though the show got a green light from HBO despite the rough script and its reworks, it has been receiving backflash and criticism for just about everything, be it the subject matter, sex scenes, or the story.

The narrative of The Idol , which centers around a rising pop singer Jocelyn (Lily Rose-Depp) being abused and manipulated by self-help guru and cult leader Tedros (The Weeknd), has generated a lot of controversy. But the wildest theory that has come out of the plethora of Twitter and Reddit discussions about the show has blown everyone’s mind. Recently, a TikTok user created a more than a minute-long video explaining how The Idol might be based on the life of the famous pop icon Selena Gomez .

Rumor🚨 Série The Idol, produzida por The Weeknd, seria sobre a vida de Selena Gomez, em 2016. Vídeo viraliza na internet comparando a vida da cantora e a série. Assista. pic.twitter.com/7HFa2aURFw — Keh (@99_keeho) June 29, 2023

The TikTok, which reads “The Idol is based off of Selena Gomez’s life in 2016/2017. Selena IS Jocelyn” draws various similarities between the events of The Idol , specifically the series’ lead Jocelyn, and Selena Gomez.

The similarities pointed out by the user first featured Jocelyn’s hospital bracelet photoshoot, which has an uncanny resemblance to Selena Gomez wearing a yellow hospital wristband in the music video for “Bad Liar.” Interestingly enough, fans immediately speculated that “Bad Liar” was about Selena’s real-life blooming 10-month relationship with The Weeknd when the song was released in 2017. The example of “Bad Liar” comes again as fans speculated that Selena is moaning while singing, similar to how Jocelyn moans while singing as she is with Tedros.

Both The Idol’s lead Jocelyn, and our favorite pop icon Selena were child stars who got fame early in their life and had to struggle through stardom and the expectations that come with it. The next similarity drawn between the reel Jocelyn and the real Selena is the Topless album cover that Selena recalled “was a choice” that she “wasn’t necessarily happy” to have made. It is a reference to her 2015 studio album, Revival. Jocelyn canceling her tour in The Idol due to mental health is also compared to Selena Gomez canceling her Revival tour in 2016 citing anxiety and depression as the reason.

Another crazy similarity between Jocelyn and Selena’s story is how the two collaborated with their assistant, who they call their best friend. Given that The Weeknd dated Selena in real life, he was often seen dressing Selena up, a scene recreated in The Idol where Tedros comes up with outfits for Jocelyn. Ever since the TikTok has been posted, fans of the show and Selena Gomez have gone crazy over it. While some are of the opinion that this is a bit of a stretch, some actually believe that certain events of the story might have been inspired by Selena Gomez’s life.

Thus far, the rumors are just that – rumors. The Idol is a show about the unseen ins and outs of the music industry, so it naturally shares similarities with the lives of many pop stars . No official comments have been made by any of The Ido l’s representatives or Selena Gomez about the show drawing inspiration from her life. The Idol is not based on any real-life story according to its credits.

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Selena Gomez Fan on Being a Selenator: ‘She Is Far Different From Any Ordinary Celebrity’

As part of Billboard's Fan Army Face-Off 2015, we've asked people to write about what being part of the fandom means to them. Read below for an essay from an Selena Gomez? fan, who are called the…

By Billboard Staff

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As part of Billboard’s Fan Army Face-Off 2015 , we’ve asked people to write about what being part of the fandom means to them. Read below for an essay from a  Selena Gomez  fan; Selena’s fans are called Selenators. 

Let me just start off by saying we are more than Selenators — we are a family. The bond that we share with Selena is something indescribable, unique and beautiful, and the love that we share has no limits, no end and it has something that no other fandom can ever compare to.

Fan Army Face-Off 2022: And the Winner Is....

Selena gomez.

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The reason why we admire, love and look up to Selena Marie Gomez is much more than you can comprehend. She has played such an important role in our lives.

Selena Gomez Says She’s Up for a Sequel to Taylor Swift’s ‘Bad Blood’ Video: Watch

Trending on Billboard

We love Selena because she’s the one that helped us when no one was there, she got us through the worst times of our lives when no one cared and when we felt insecure about ourselves, she was the one who made us feel loved, who made us feel beautiful. She’s the one person that helped us through the hardest parts in our life and we are beyond honored to call her our role model and idol. 

Honestly, we wouldn’t be the people we are today if she didn’t come into our lives, because she taught us so much in life. She taught us how to feel beautiful, how to love ourselves, how to RESPECT and HELP others, because strong people lift others up, and never bring them down. She taught us that we are perfect EXACTLY the way we are and we shouldn’t change for ANYONE, she taught us that what makes you DIFFERENT is what makes you BEAUTIFUL. She just taught us all the things that no one cared to tell and most importantly… She INSPIRED us, and these are the reason why we love Selena Gomez.

Selena Gomez Shares Sexy New Song ‘Good for You,’ Featuring A$AP Rocky

Another thing you have to know is that Selena has ALWAYS shown her love for us. Whether it was through her music, meeting us on the streets, staying in contact with us through social media and more, she has proven from time and time again that we mean EVERYTHING to her. She is far different from just any ordinary celebrity, she has an extremely beautiful heart and soul. She’s so intelligent, kind, genuine, caring, classy, humble and just a down-to-earth impeccable human being.

Lastly, in name of our fandom, we just have to say that we are more than convinced that we DESERVE to win the Battle Of Fandoms because we have proven countless times that we are by far the BIGGEST and most DEDICATED fandom. We have NOMINATED Selena for endless awards and WON the majority of them, we have supported her through everything, promoted her music, voted for her, bought her albums and merchandise and proved what it is like to be a Selenator every single day. We have supported her for many years and we are determined to show her what she means to us no matter what the circumstances may be. She has been by far the biggest and most beautiful part in our life and we are SO thankful for everything she has done. 

Selena Gomez Flies Solo in ‘Good For You’ Music Video

Selena, if you are reading this right now, know that we love you with all our hearts and that we are proud of everything you accomplished. 

We truly hope you’ll see this. Thank you for being a blessing in our lives.

— All love from your truest and dearest Selenators: Jaden and Elizabeth. ( @LifeWithSelG )

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7 Creepy Clues That The Weeknd Based 'The Idol' Main Character On His Ex Selena Gomez

Did the weeknd take from selena gomez's life to create the character of jocelyn.

Written on Jun 28, 2023

As viewers gear up for the fifth and final episode of Sam Levinson's highly controversial HBO show, "The Idol," many eagle-eyed fans have begun to notice eerie similarities between the main character and a famous pop singer.

"The Idol" stars Lily-Rose Depp as Jocelyn, a troubled singer who has returned to the spotlight after experiencing a nervous breakdown, and The Weeknd as Tedros, a manipulative and abusive self-help guru who begins a toxic relationship with Jocelyn. 

The show has received a slew of backlash , even before it premiered on HBO earlier this month, with many people describing it as "sexual torture porn" and a "rape fantasy." However, viewers are now also criticizing The Weeknd , who created the show alongside Levinson, for creating Jocelyn using details from his ex-girlfriend, Selena Gomez's, life.

Here are 7 reasons why fans think 'The Idol' was inspired by Selena Gomez's career.

RELATED: Inside 'The Idol' Scene That Sam Levinson Finally Showed Up For After Allegedly Skipping Filming For Weeks

1. Jocelyn wears a hospital bracelet during a photoshoot.

In the show's first episode, Jocelyn is seen posing for her album cover while wearing a hospital bracelet left over from her time in a mental facility. 

After the scene aired, many fans pointed out that the shot seemed quite similar to when Selena Gomez also posed wearing a hospital bracelet while promoting her song "Bad Liar" in 2017, which was also during the time that the singer was dating The Weeknd.

At the time, Gomez had been seeking treatment for Lupus , a condition that the "Only Murders In The Building" star has been open and honest about with the media and her fans.

RELATED: 7 Rules Sam Levinson Makes Cast & Crew Follow On 'The Idol' & 'Euphoria' Sets

2. Both Jocelyn and Gomez posed topless for a photoshoot.

In the opening of the first episode, Jocelyn is seen posing seductively for a photo shoot for her album as she slides off her nightgown to get partially nude.

While the finished album cover wasn't a replica of Gomez's cover for her 2015 album "Revival," it didn't stop many fans from noticing the similarity. During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter for their Comedy Actress Roundtable in 2022, Gomez admitted that she felt "ashamed" of that shoot.

"I actually did an album cover and I was really ashamed after I did it," the "Rare" singer revealed.

RELATED: 5 Reasons ‘Euphoria’ Fans Don’t Like Sam Levinson — And Why His New Show ‘The Idol’ Is Already Being Slammed

3. Jocelyn and Gomez are both child stars.

In the first couple of episodes of "The Idol," it's explained that Lily-Rose Depp's character started as a child star and has been in the industry since she was fairly young, contributing to the mental health issues that she has suffered from.

The same can be said for Gomez, who began her career after securing a role on "Barney & Friends" when the pop singer was still young. Gomez also gained popularity as the main star on Disney's "Wizards Of Waverly Place."

In a February 2023 interview with Vanity Fair , Gomez opened up about the pressure she felt being a child star and how she sometimes gets "triggered" by her Disney past. 

"I definitely feel free of it. Sometimes I get triggered. It's not that I'm ashamed of my past, it's just that I've worked so hard to find my own way," Gomez admitted. "I wasn't a wild child by any means, but I was on Disney, so I had to make sure not to say 'What the hell?' in front of anyone. It's stuff that I was also putting on myself to be the best role model I could be."

4. Jocelyn canceled her tour due to her mental health.

Before the events on the show, it's explained that Jocelyn was forced to cancel her world tour due to having a "mental breakdown" following the death of her mother.

In 2016, Gomez announced that she would be canceling her Revival tour because of health concerns. "I've discovered that anxiety, panic attacks, and depression can be side effects of lupus, which can present their own challenges," Gomez told People Magazine .

"I want to be proactive and focus on maintaining my health and happiness and have decided that the best way forward is to take some time off."

RELATED:  5 Times ‘Euphoria’ Cast Members Had To Ask Sam Levinson To Remove Nude Scenes Because They Were Uncomfortable

5. Jocelyn and Gomez have close relationships with their assistants.

Probably one of the most obvious similarities that have fans believing Selena Gomez inspired the character of Jocelyn on "The Idol" is Jocelyn's close relationship with her assistant and best friend, Leia, played by Rachel Sennott.

In the show, Jocelyn and Leia are meant to have been friends for most of their lives, with Leia now working as Jocelyn's personal assistant. The two girls often collaborate on projects together, and Jocelyn goes to Leia for advice about her career.

The same can be said for Gomez, who has been open about her close relationship with Theresa Mingus, who works as the singer's executive assistant . Mingus and Gomez have even collaborated on Mingus' swim line , La'Mariette.

6. Both Jocelyn and Gomez want to be taken seriously as artists.

One of the main issues that Jocelyn seems to have with her career in "The Idol" is fearing that people won't take her music seriously. It's one of the reasons why Jocelyn gravitates toward Tedros, played by The Weeknd, feeling as if his vision for her career is what is going to help her succeed.

In a March 2021 interview with Vogue , Gomez revealed that she was considering retiring from music because she felt people didn't take her seriously as a musician.

"It's hard to keep doing music when people don't necessarily take you seriously," Gomez told the publication. "I've had moments where I've been like, 'What's the point? Why do I keep doing this?' 'Lose You to Love Me' I felt was the best song I've ever released, and for some people, it still wasn't enough."

RELATED:  Why Jacob Elordi Says The 'Euphoria' Set Is 'Like Being In Hell' Amid Working Condition Concerns

7. Jocelyn's Instagram Live rant is similar to Gomez's.

In the fourth episode of "The Idol," Jocelyn has an emotional scene where she is addressing the public scrutiny of her career while on Instagram Live with her followers. 

Many eagle-eyed fans pointed out how Gomez was giving a similar rant on her own Instagram back in 2018. According to OK! Magazine , the "Hands to Myself" singer opened up to her Instagram followers about her depression, anxiety, and fame.

"I'm here for you guys and I don't care about the press, I don't care about what people are going to say. I just wanted to do this to talk to you guys," Gomez said, eerily mirroring the same speech Jocelyn gives on "The Idol."

"I just wanted to be real with you, because I don't feel like being on another magazine cover. I don't feel like being on another one ever again. It just doesn't matter."

Sam Levinson shut down rumors that 'The Idol' was about any particular pop singer.

While many of these theories can be argued on whether or not Levinson and The Weeknd used Gomez's career as inspiration for the character of Jocelyn, the show is meant to provide commentary on female pop singers in Hollywood.

While Jocelyn can be easily compared to other singers besides Gomez, including Britney Spears, Sam Levinson admitted during the Cannes Film Festival debut of the show, "We are not trying to tell a story about any particular pop star."

“It’s a lot of pressure — to have to constantly be on, and to be what everyone wishes you to be," he continued. "It’s a lonely life."

"We can all pretend that everyone is looking out for someone’s best interest, but I think fame really corrupts; it’s really easy to surround yourself with myth-makers who continue to prop us up.”

RELATED:  Lily-Rose Depp Accused Of Having A 'Tantrum' While On Set & Throwing Coffee At Assistant

Nia Tipton is a Chicago-based entertainment, news, and lifestyle writer whose work delves into modern-day issues and experiences.

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Selena Gomez on the Powerful Vulnerability of Her New Documentary

There is a moment early in Selena Gomez: My Mind and Me , the new documentary premiering November 4 on Apple TV+, in which the star admits to the people gathered in her dressing room: “My body is very young.” She’s talking about the way a certain outfit emphasizes—or doesn’t—her figure, making her appear, as she puts it, “like a 12-year-old boy.” But it’s more than just an assessment of her costume; it’s also a gesture toward one of the central tensions of the star’s career and this film—the precise pressure that a self-awareness of other people’s awareness can impose. Will her fans see a shadow of the Disney star she once was? Or will they see a powerful singer in her own right? How does her clothing, behavior, performance—essentially every move she makes—contribute to the narrative that her fans and detractors are relentlessly constructing?

Selena Gomez in concert

It might seem strange that someone so conscious of that attention would choose to make a documentary about their mental health struggles, particularly with this director. Alek Keshishian first worked with Gomez on the music video for “ Can’t Keep My Hands to Myself ,” but he is probably best known for Madonna’s groundbreaking and intimate backstage documentary Truth or Dare (1991), which was the highest-grossing documentary of all time until Bowling for Columbine surpassed it. “I like to have access to everything,” he says when he, Gomez, and I speak via Zoom before the film’s premiere. There were moments, Gomez tells me, when she wanted to cry as she watched the final cut—not because of how exposed it made her, but because she hated that she felt the discomfort or insecurity that the film so pointedly captured.

In some ways, My Mind and Me is merely a chronological recounting of the past six years of Gomez’s life: the touring, the physical and mental health crises that accelerated in those years, the cancellation of her Revival tour, a two-year pause on touring, a trip to Kenya for charitable work, the pandemic, and a trip to the White House to discuss mental health curricula in grade schools. The documentary also affords unprecedented insight into the way these events were affected by what was going on in Gomez’s head and body—most dramatically, in 2019, when she had a breakdown and was officially diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Poignantly, we see the moment Gomez decided to go public with her precise diagnosis, and the lack of hesitation she felt in doing so, spurred by her instinct that greater openness could lead to greater destigmatization.

My Mind and Me is not an indictment of the media in the manner of Framing Britney Spears or other documentaries that have exposed the relentless pressure of being a young famous woman. But it is something of a damming document nonetheless: a catalog of the repetitive and inane questions or games Gomez is asked to answer or play. It’s all a big eye roll, but it also adds up to something more. “Such a waste of time,” she sighs after one such interview, and in her life, where every moment is milked for some larger purpose, it’s hard not to agree.

With determination not to waste her time, we sat down with Gomez and Keshishian to discuss the many years they spent making this film together and what they hope it will accomplish.

Vogue : Tell me how the idea for this film came about.

Alek Keshishian: I worked with Selena in 2015 on “Can’t Keep My Hands to Myself,” and then when she was going on tour in 2016, she approached me about doing a documentary. And then we decided after a few weeks that the timing didn’t feel right. I’m quite intrusive in my filmmaking insofar as I like to have access to everything. Selena was very bravely like, “No, I’ll give you that.” But after a few weeks, I just kind of felt like she was going through a lot, and to have cameras there on top of it just didn’t feel right. We stayed friends, obviously. I fell in love with her.

Her Kenya trip [ in 2019 with the WE Foundation ] allowed us another opportunity. I said, “Let’s film a few days before.” We didn’t really know if there was going to be a bigger documentary; I think we were quite innocent about it. But we developed a closeness, and then we had this shared vision that this story could maybe help others. And that became our motivating factor as we kept shooting.

Alek, you’re very well known for the Madonna documentary, and that’s obviously a very intimate portrait of a very famous person. Were you, Selena, excited about having that kind of exposure? Or were you nervous about it?

Selena Gomez: I definitely had moments where I was super gung ho. But then there were moments where I felt nervous. It’s very vulnerable. To be honest, it can be a little uncomfortable even watching some of it. But when Alek was there and it was just Alek, I would feel comfortable. Like when my lupus was flaring up. He filmed it, but he filmed some, and then he was there for me.

Is it harder to be on film exposing yourself or writing a song that is very open?

Gomez: I definitely want to go into hiding after this comes out. I had to separate myself from it and understand what I felt the movie was going to be for other people. So I’m kind of sacrificing myself. You know, I love my job, but at the end of the day, I do want to be impactful in some way. And if that’s by sharing a part of myself that isn’t necessarily pretty and put together, there are hopefully people that can look at that and think, Oh, maybe I feel this way, or, I didn’t know that you could get this kind of help.

One of the moments that really struck me in the film is when you talk about saying difficult things to people you love, like your parents. Do you have advice for friends and family members of people who suffer from mental health issues?

Gomez: I don’t like the approach where it seems like I’m a patient. I don’t like how that feels. My advice to those people would be to be there as a friend. And I feel like sometimes you don’t want to be parented. You just want to have a friend. And listen and love unconditionally.

Keshishian: Having been witness to it, I think there’s a great deal to be said about forgiveness. And I think forgiveness goes two ways. None of us are perfect. None of us are perfect in the way we interact, especially with family. But witnessing Selena and her mom, there is forgiveness. And when you get back to that core love—that’s the road to healing.

Selena Gomez backstage

Speaking of friendship, Alek, I saw your post on Instagram that called Selena’s friend Raquelle Stevens the costar of the film. What role do you think friendship has in supporting people who are going through some of these things?

Keshishian: Raquelle is such a fun presence to me. There were moments where I was like, Oh my God, this is like Laverne and Shirley, these two, because they’re really funny together. And yet when push comes to shove, she’s kind of like a little Yoda. She says stuff that hits the mark. But the friendship survives all of those things because they do really love each other. And that friendship—the way it survives everything—was really powerful to me. I grew to really love Raquelle because of the way she treats the people around her, which ultimately is from a place of deep and unconditional love.

Gomez: It was a coincidence because she ended up being one of my friends that went on the trip to Kenya. I think I just wanted my friend to come with me, and she is the kind of person who I’ve known for 10 years and can hold the mirror up to me sometimes.

And how did you guys meet initially?

Gomez: We actually met at a New Year’s Eve party. I was going through a breakup, and I was not having a great New Year’s, and she was so nice. She just asked me how I was, and she had a sweet presence about her. And we ended up talking for like two hours that night.

When did you both decide the film was finally finished?

Keshishian: When she went to the White House [for a conversation with President Biden on mental health], that fulfilled a dream that had at times suffered, maybe, because of a lack of confidence. She had to get to that place of “I can do this.” So for me as a filmmaker, it felt like the right ending. Because honestly, I find her so fascinating. I could shoot endlessly, although she would not like that. But the real ending of this film is where you see her today. She’s already so different from where the movie ends.

And where is the effort to get a mental health curriculum into schools, which was part of what you discussed with Biden?

Gomez: I’m working on it through the Rare Impact Fund . We’ve been working with a bunch of schools, and we want to create relationships with people to help us do that. When I went to the White House, I was talking to the Surgeon General, and he said that this was a huge focus for them too. So now I’m texting with him, which feels really weird [ laughs ] but cool. Like, really cool. He’s super forward-thinking and wants to create change, and he has the sense that it’s urgent and that we are at a critical moment. Because of COVID, many people who have never experienced anxiety may all of a sudden be experiencing panic attacks. So it feels very relevant.

When you were describing the critical moment, I thought you might be talking about the effect of social media. Can you talk a little bit about the effect of social media on your mental health?

Gomez: I have not had access to my Instagram account in four or five years; I don’t know my password. It wasn’t necessarily an addiction. I just didn’t want to know it because I didn’t want to have a weak moment. When I was on it, I was finding things out that I didn’t want to find out and seeing things that were awful. It was just dehumanizing and really disheartening. I don’t find it to be a safe place whatsoever, and I’m very vocal about that. However, I am on TikTok [ laughs ], and I feel that TikTok is a bit more loose and people can have more fun. It still has its moments. I take days and weeks away from it, and I do that very intentionally.

Selena Gomez in Kenya, captured in My Mind And Me.

What else do you do to maintain your health and wellbeing these days?

Gomez: Slowing down. I wake up early now. If I have an appointment or a photo shoot or something, I will wake up two hours before that. I usually wake up with the sun, and just take a few deep breaths and walk around, wake my body up a bit, and maybe listen to some music. I dream a lot, so maybe I’ll write for a bit and drink coffee. It’s either that or a workout: Physical health is super connected to mental health. Even just a walk, I’m not talking about doing, like, Barry’s Bootcamp. Obviously I’m in therapy, and I try to surround myself with people who have struggled with the same thing, so that I know who to call, and I can share a moment or even just have a conversation. I find that really helps me.

Were there moments where you disagreed on what you wanted from the film?

Gomez: There really weren’t. If there were to be a moment, I would feel very comfortable saying, “Alek, I don’t think that’s right.”

Keshishian: I think she trusted me because she knew that I felt for her. I could just watch her looking at my film and know where I needed to finesse, because I shared her opinion usually. It took a lot of time to get right. But we never disagreed because I wanted to make a film that she could stand behind and that I could stand behind.

Is there anything you want people to really get from the film on a secondary or deeper level?

Gomez: I just think there are moments in the film where I personally feel bad about how I felt. In the beginning, for example, when I’m talking about my body, I cry thinking about it because I hate that I ever felt that. And that’s such a real feeling. I’m glad I don’t really have that mentality anymore, but it did break my heart watching that.

Keshishian: We set out to make a movie that had some breadth to it. Everyone, at times, faces challenges and darkness. And it may not even be mental health. It may be a loss of a job, an illness, or grieving. Hopefully the film gives people hope that you can still do something with your life and that you can still bring light out from those dark moments.

This interview has been edited for concision and clarity.  

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Selena gomez essay sample, example.

Selena Marie Gomez was born on July 22, 1992, in Grand Prairie, Texas. Her parents are Ricardo Joel Gomez and stage actress Amanda Dawn “Mandy” Cornett. Since her mother was an entertainer, it is no surprise that Selena after the singer Selena Quintanilla-Pérez. However, the marriage between her parents was not happy, and the couple divorced when Selena was only five years old. Selena stayed with her mother after the separation. The family struggled financially since Selena’s birth, and even more so after the divorce. Also, her mother was sixteen years old was she gave birth to Selena, and Selena’s grandparents helped to raise her (Bahr, Anna).

Despite this rough upbringing, she got an early start in the entertainment industry, being inspired by watching her mother preparing for stage productions. Before she was 10 years old, she was already auditioning. Barney & Friends, a famous children’s television show, chose Selena to appear in the production in 2002. In all, Selena appeared in 13 episodes in two years before she was deemed too old to be present on the show. Selena later stated that she learned most of what she knows now about acting for television from this initial experience (“Selena Gomez”).

While working on Barney & Friends, she had a cameo role in the film Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over in 2003. Her next cameo appearance was on the film Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire in 2005. Continuing to audition through her schooling, she also made a guest appearance on an episode of The Suite Life of Zack & Cody in 2006. She was homeschooled throughout these years, all the way up until receiving her high school diploma in 2010 (Nessif, Bruna).

Her breakout year, though, was 2007. This was in large part due to her being accepted for a recurring role in the series Hannah Montana, where she acted as popstar character Mikayla. While working on this series, Selena filmed pilot episodes for Disney shows Arwin! and Stevie Sanchez. She also auditioned and got the lead role in the Disney series Wizards of Waverly Place. This caused a dramatic shift in her career and family life, as Selena and her mother moved to Hollywood, California. Wizards of Waverly Place became a mainstream hit, and even went on to win nominations and awards. During this time, her singing career also started to take off, as she sang the theme song for Wizards of Waverly Place (“Wizards Of Waverly Place”).

While working on this series in its second season, she made more cameo appearances in music videos, and contributed to the album DisneyMania 6 with the cover of the song “Cruella de Vil.” In addition, she recorded the song “Fly to Your Heart” for the soundtrack for the film “Tinker Bell.” She also had a leading role in the film Another Cinderella Story in 2008. She was asked to sing three songs for the soundtrack. In the same year, Selena had a supporting role in the film Horton Hears a Who, which went onto to be a great success. All this work in her portfolio impressed the Hollywood Records label, and they agreed to sign her at age 16. This was just the beginning of her rapid stardom: she recorded several albums with a band, and went on to have a successful solo career, and continued to be in hit films, with roles that show her growing maturity as an artist. Though she later contracted lupus disease, she has a strong will, and continues to tour and act in films, receiving accolades and praise from critics (Rocketto, Leah).

Despite her financial issues in her childhood, and contracting lupus disease, Selena Gomez has been an entertainer practically since age 10. Inspired by her mother, she has been cast in many films, televisions series, and commercials, along with obtaining a budding music career as a popstar. From her portfolio, you can see without doubt that she is a hard worker and always keeps herself busy. Despite her health issues, her future looks bright.

Works Cited

Bahr, Anna. “Selena Gomez Talks Parents’ Divorce: ‘I Blamed My Mom A Lot’ (VIDEO).” HuffPost, HuffPost, 30 June 2011, www.huffpost.com/entry/selena-gomez-divorce_n_888017.

“Selena Gomez.” PEOPLE.com, Time Inc, people.com/tag/selena-gomez/.

Nessif, Bruna. “Time Warp: Spy Selena Gomez in Her First Film Role.” E! Online, E! News, 29 July 2011, www.eonline.com/news/255135/time-warp-spy-selena-gomez-in-her-first-film-role.

“Wizards Of Waverly Place.” Amazon, Amazon, www.amazon.com/Wizards-Waverly-Place-Soundtrack/dp/B002BA9QMK.

Rocketto, Leah. “Everything You Need to Know about Lupus, Selena Gomez’s Incurable Illness.” INSIDER, INSIDER, 14 Sept. 2017, www.thisisinsider.com/does-selena-gomez-have-lupus-what-is-it-2016-8.

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What Students Are Saying About Celebrities Who Publicly Share Their Struggles

Teenagers share their reactions to stars like Selena Gomez, Taylor Swift and Simone Biles and their willingness to open up about hardships in their lives.

By The Learning Network

Selena Gomez speaks about her experiences with bipolar disorder, lupus, anxiety and psychosis in a documentary called “Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me.” Taylor Swift sings about feeling depressed and out of place in her hit song “Anti-Hero.” Adele, Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande are open about their struggles with anxiety, depression and panic attacks. Megan Thee Stallion has a song called “Anxiety” and has launched a website dedicated to mental health.

In a recent Opinion essay , Pamela Paul writes about what this degree of emotional vulnerability among today’s celebrities might say about the state of mental health today, online culture and fans’ expectations. She writes, “It may be that each generation gets a slate of pop stars attuned to its own aspirations and insecurities.”

We asked students what it’s like to witness celebrities showing their vulnerabilities. Many expressed an appreciation for the candor they didn’t expect from people who seem to have dream lives. Some noted that they feel better knowing that even people they admire face challenges that are similar to their own. Others warned of the dangers of identifying too closely with their idol’s personal hardship, “almost viewing it as a struggle they would want to have,” as one student put it.

Thank you to all those who joined the conversation on our writing prompts this week, including students from Brownsboro High School in Brownsboro, Texas; Prospect High School in Chicago, Ill.; James Hubert Blake High School in Colesville, Md.; and Rockwood Summit High School in Fenton, Mo.

Please note: Student comments have been lightly edited for length, but otherwise appear as they were originally submitted.

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HBO's controversial new series charts the comeback of a troubled pop icon.

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It’s only been a few weeks since “The Idol” premiered, but HBO ‘s new series has already intrigued the pop culture zeitgeist.

“The Idol,” which sees Lily-Rose Depp in her first major television role, follows Jocelyn, a troubled pop star who finds herself in a twisted romance with a club owner and cult leader named Tedros (played by The Weeknd).

While Levinson maintains that “The Idol” isn’t based on “any particular pop star,” it hasn’t stopped viewers and, in some cases, the show’s writers, from comparing Jocelyn to real-life icons such as Britney Spears and the Weeknd’s ex, Selena Gomez .

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You may also like, related articles, abel ‘the weeknd’ tesfaye dons classic loewe suit for ‘the idol’ red carpet at cannes film festival 2023, blackpink’s jennie will make her hollywood debut in the weeknd’s hbo drama ‘the idol’.

Fans of Gomez were quick to point out similarities between Jocelyn’s photo shoot and some of the “Rare” singer’s previous cover art. In promotional photos for her single “Bad Liar,” Gomez is depicted wearing a hospital bracelet. Meanwhile, Gomez was photographed nude for the cover of her 2015 album, “Revival.”

Gomez, who had been in the hospital receiving treatment for lupus, wore the bracelet at the direction of photographer Petra Collins.

In her Apple TV+ documentary, “My Mind & Me,” Gomez opened up about spending time in a mental health facility. Ahead of her stay, she canceled her 2016 Revival Tour due to anxiety and depression. Similarly, in “The Idol,” we learn that Jocelyn canceled a world tour following the death of her mother.

Gomez dated The Weeknd in 2017, leading some viewers to speculate that “The Idol” is based on her career. During a press conference at Cannes Film Festival, The Weeknd explained that Jocelyn is partially inspired by the “experiences of other artists that [he’s] witnessed,” but he never mentioned Gomez by name.

Princess of pop

There are a few things viewers instantly recognize about Jocelyn: she’s beautiful, she’s famous and she’s fresh off the heels of a breakdown.

In the first episode, Vanity Fair writer Talia (Hari Nef) visits Jocelyn as she prepares for her comeback. Ahead of their interview, Talia notes the singer’s “referential” choreography, which is later described as “an homage” to Britney Spears. In the same scene, it’s made clear that Jocelyn’s mental breakdown is reminiscent of Spears’ personal struggles.

“What Britney and Jocelyn have gone through is really unique, but ultimately universal,” notes Jocelyn’s publicist, Benjamin (Dan Levy).

We later learn that Jocelyn, like Spears and Gomez, began her career as a child star. Spears got her big break on “The Mickey Mouse Club,” while Gomez became a household name after starring in “Wizards of Waverly Place.”

“Like a Prayer”

The Queen of Pop, Madonna, is also referenced in “The Idol.” In the pilot, Jocelyn first encounters Tedros during a night out at his club. “Like a Prayer” blasts through the speakers, insinuating Jocelyn’s likeness to Madonna as an edgy pop superstar, as well as the religious nature of Tedros’ cult.

In the third episode, Jocelyn’s friend and creative director, Xander ( Troye Sivan ) asks Tedros, “When was the last truly nasty, bad pop girl?”

While not a direct reference to Madonna, the line recalls her groundbreaking and often controversial career, including the “Like a Prayer” music video, which saw major backlash from religious groups. Her risqué video for “Justify My Love,” which came out only a year later in 1990, was banned from MTV for its explicit material.

Madonna is involved with “The Idol.” She collaborated with The Weeknd and Playboi Carti on “Popular,” which appears on the show’s soundtrack.

Other inspirations

Depp has revealed that Jocelyn is inspired by a number of other celebrities, ranging from singers to actresses. In an interview with W, the actress revealed that “[She] was also thinking about Beyoncé, Mariah [Carey] and every huge pop star of our time” as the basis for Jocelyn’s character. “I wanted Jocelyn to be the kind of woman who can dominate a room,” Depp continued. “Someone who doesn’t ever shy away from their sparkle.”

While speaking to Entertainment Tonight, Depp also pointed to cinematic inspirations for Jocelyn, including actresses of both old and new Hollywood. “We actually drew from a lot of other influences that are not pop stars,” she explained. “We thought a lot about Sharon Stone in ‘Basic Instinct’ and the Gene Tierneys and Lauren Bacalls.”

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Home / Essay Samples / Life / Hero / Idol

Idol Essay Examples

My idol: an inspiring figure.

An idol is someone who embodies qualities we admire and aspire to emulate. Throughout our lives, we often come across individuals who leave a lasting impact on us. They inspire us, guide us, and shape our beliefs and actions. In this essay, I will introduce...

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Admiration is a sentiment that often finds its roots in the remarkable accomplishments, influential actions, and profound qualities of individuals who have left an indelible mark on the world. Among the numerous luminaries who have graced our history, one extraordinary figure stands out to me...

Not a Dressmaker, But an Idol

Everything was so silent, in terms of noises. Yet the room has an eerie atmosphere. Instead of noises, there was rhythm and music, always giving me great feelings every time I came here. Chug chug chug, the sound the spinning wheel sang as cloth runs...

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Idol Producer and Producer of 101 China are the two most buzzed topics on the country’s social media in recent months. By the time of this publication, they both received more than 10 billion views on Weibo, one of China’s most important social media channels....

My Hero: Wiz Khalifa

The word “hero” brings to mind different things to different people since people tend to have different views of heroism. This is the case concerning the concept of heroes in Ancient and modern societies. As times have changed, the definition of heroes has also changed,...

Entertainment Contracts in the Music Industry

In the music industry, it’s often difficult for a hopeful individual to find success. However, even after they have found themselves in the industry, the issues with being creative in creating and producing, and not having a self-regulating life becomes overwhelming. Examples of such issues...

Behind the Idol Life: the Dark Side of Music in South Korea

Korean idol group SHINee, debuted in 2008. When they debuted, in only a matter of months they already had 60 award wins and 86 nominations, plus 57 music show wins. They have managed to stay relevant for many years. Some of the members of the...

Christians and the Food Sacrificed to Idols

Having made the first qualification that the way of love supersedes the way of knowledge, Paul returns to the question of εἰδωλοθύτων with the specific issue at hand being the right to βρώσεως “eating.” This verbal noun, not found in verse 1, emphasizes the actual...

The Idols of the Human Mind

Francis Bacon was a seventeenth century English writer, philosopher, statesman, and best known for his scientific method, although he made no discoveries in natural sciences. He wrote a book Novum Organum in Latin and published in 1620 in which he composed the ‘idols of the...

The Impact of American Culture on K-pop Idols

Today, we’ll be exploring a musical phenomenon that has taken the world by storm: K-pop, or Korean popular music. Its explosive popularity began in the mid-1990s. However, the development of K-pop into its current form involved decades of history and politics. I’ll only be scraping...

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