Selena Gomez is once again facing scrutiny online, as rumors of plastic surgery swirl following a series of close-up selfies she posted on her Instagram account on Thursday, January 22.
The 33-year-old singer shared four images of herself lounging in a pink bedroom, wrapped in what appeared to be a fuzzy white towel. The close-ups of her bare shoulders and chest gave some fans the impression she was unclothed, while highlighting her newly cropped bob hairstyle, which she referenced in the caption “short series.” The post quickly garnered over 1.7 million likes and more than 16,300 comments.
While many fans praised her haircut and overall look, others focused on Gomez’s noticeably slimmer, “chiseled” face, sparking speculation about extensive cosmetic procedures. Critics on Reddit, particularly in the r/snarkingonselena community, compared her latest selfies to past photos and suggested she had altered her facial structure.
One user wrote, “This is not normal. Her chin area is shrinking but the cheeks remain the same.” Others accused her of undergoing buccal fat removal, cheek implants, lip fillers, chin work, and veneers to achieve a slimmer appearance. Another commenter added, “She literally destroyed her once youthful, round face.”
The Reddit community compiled side-by-side images of Gomez over the years, noting the contrast between her formerly fuller cheeks and her current look. One post stated: “There is nothing wrong with round faces. Some of the most beautiful women have them. She looked better before—why would she do this to herself?”
Gomez has repeatedly denied undergoing plastic surgery, though she has confirmed using Botox, telling TikTok followers, “Honestly I hate this… I have Botox. That’s it. Leave me alone!” Fans have also defended her by pointing out that lupus—a chronic autoimmune condition she lives with—can cause visible facial changes, including swelling or hollowing after flare-ups.
Despite these explanations, critics dismissed lupus as the reason for her altered appearance. One wrote, “Maybe she’s trying to fix that God-awful chin before anyone realizes it was never lupus.” Another lamented, “She was so beautiful with her natural round face! Ruined herself!”
Gomez has long promoted self-acceptance and natural beauty, emphasizing transparency about cosmetic procedures. Speaking at the Most Powerful Women Summit in Washington, D.C., last October, she said, “I’ll tell you all the things that are photoshopped. I’ll tell you where I got Botox. The goal is to be remembered for what I’ve done for people.” She also highlighted that her brand, Rare Beauty, uses real people instead of models, celebrating authenticity.
This isn’t the first time Gomez has faced backlash over her appearance. In October 2025, following her In the Dark music video, critics accused her of looking “puffy” and speculated about excessive Botox and fillers, with some claiming she was attempting to emulate Bella Hadid’s features.
Fans and critics alike remain divided, debating whether the singer’s look reflects cosmetic intervention, lupus-related changes, or the pressures of maintaining an idealized image in Hollywood.
