Why does Selena Gomez talk different: The real reason behind her voice change
Why does Selena Gomez talk different? Many fans speculate that the change is linked to her ongoing health struggles, particularly her battle with lupus, which may have affected her vocal cords. However, the singer has not publicly addressed the noticeable shift in her voice.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Selena Gomez's voice has changed, prompting widespread discussion among fans.
- Many attribute the change to her lupus diagnosis, an autoimmune disease that can affect speech and the nervous system.
- Her openness about mental health conditions like anxiety and bipolar disorder also offers possible explanations.
- Interviews and public appearances have highlighted the vocal shift, fuelling speculation on social media.
- Medications and stress related to chronic illness may further contribute to the voice changes.
Selena Gomez's profile summary
| Full name | Selena Marie Gomez |
| Gender | Female |
| Date of birth | 22 July 1992 |
| Age | 32 (as of June 2025) |
| Zodiac sign | Cancer |
| Place of birth | Grand Prairie, Texas, United States |
| Current residence | Los Angeles, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Mixed |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Sexuality | Straight |
| Height in inches | 5'4" |
| Height in centimetres | 164 |
| Weight in pounds | 125 |
| Weight in kilograms | 56 |
| Body measurements in inches | 36-28-35 |
| Body measurements in centimetres | 91-71-89 |
| Hair colour | Dark brown |
| Eye colour | Dark brown |
| Father | Ricardo Joel Gomez |
| Mother | Mandy Teefey |
| Siblings | 3 |
| Relationship status | Dating |
| Spouse | Benny Blanco |
| Profession | Singer |
| @selenagomez | |
| X(Twitter) | @selenagomez |
| @Selena Gomez | |
| TikTok | @selenagomez |
| YouTube | @selenagomez |
Why does Selena Gomez talk different?
Selena Gomez's accent and tone alter noticeably, particularly during public appearances and interviews. While she has not discussed the cause of her voice change, many of her followers think that it is related to her medical past.
The singer has openly discussed that she was diagnosed with lupus and has undergone treatments, including undergoing a kidney transplant and receiving chemotherapy. Many believe these treatments may have a long-term effect on her vocals and general speech.
In an interview with Billboard, she said:
I was diagnosed with lupus, and I’ve been through chemotherapy. That’s what my break was really about. I could’ve had a stroke. I wanted so badly to say, ‘You guys have no idea. I’m in chemotherapy... I locked myself away until I was confident and comfortable again.
Later, in a 2016 cover story for GQ, she elaborated further:
I got diagnosed with lupus. My mom had a very public mis...carriage. So I had to cancel my tour. I needed time to just be okay.
Gomez has also revealed she sought therapy to cope with panic attacks and depression stemming from her health challenges. In a 2019 People interview, she explained:
I’ve had a lot of issues with depression and anxiety, and I’ve been very vocal about it, but it’s not something I feel I’ll ever overcome. There won’t be a day when I’m like, ‘Here I am in a pretty dress—I won!’ I think it’s a battle I’m gonna have to face for the rest of my life, and I’m okay with that because I know that I’m choosing myself over anything else.
Source: Original
Why did Selena Gomez's voice change so much?
Though the talented singer has not publicly addressed the vocal changes, they have become more apparent in recent years. Notably, fans noted differences in her voice during events like the Golden Globes and the Oscars.
Users on social platform X (formerly Twitter) speculated:
She was trying to find a new sound cause her singing voice due to lupus has changed too and her whispering doesn’t work as it used to.
I've always thought Selena Gomez's speaking voice sounds as she is congested" and "I don't think I ever knew Selena Gomez's voice sounded like that.
Others questioned:
No really, what happened to Selena Gomez's speaking voice?" and "Are we sure about Selena Gomez's voice? Was that real?
A viral TikTok video compared past and present clips of her speaking, highlighting the contrast. Her teenage interviews, such as one where she discussed Gossip Girl, showed a lively tone. In contrast, her 2016 American Music Awards speech was softer and more subdued:
In 2014 this stage was actually the first time I was authentically 100 percent honest with all of you,' she said. 'I think it’s safe to say most of you know a lot of my life whether I liked it or not. I had to stop because I had everything and I was absolutely broken inside and I kept it all together enough to where I would never let you down, but I kept it too much together to where I let myself down.
That same year, she checked into a treatment facility and cancelled the remainder of her Revival tour to focus on her mental health. In a 2024 interview with young reporter Taylen Biggs, Gomez appeared shy and soft-spoken:
I think people probably know too much about me...I guess I had to get used to this idea that my life isn't always going to be just me. Sometimes it comes with a lot of noise.
More recently, fans noticed slurred speech and a quieter tone during an interview at the 2025 Golden Globe Awards with Access Hollywood. Some expressed concern, suggesting that her voice was affected by both lupus and treatment side effects. One fan wrote:
I have an autoimmune disease that sometimes makes my brain fog up a bit. Selena is doing the best to live a normal life with her condition. These kind of illnesses go wild when you pass 30 years so it must be harder now to manage.
Source: Getty Images
How lupus could be affecting Selena Gomez's voice
Lupus is a chronic disease that causes your body's immune system to attack some healthy tissues and organs. It can mostly affect various body systems such as the joints, skin, kidneys, heart, and even the nervous system. For some individuals, lupus can also lead to neurological symptoms such as brain fog, fatigue, and difficulty with speech.
Selena Gomez has been open about her lupus diagnosis since 2015. This led to a kidney transplant and several breaks from the spotlight to focus on her health. Many fans believe that her altered speaking voice could be linked to the long-term effects of the disease or the medicines used to manage it.
Drugs like corticosteroids and immunosuppressants may lead to side effects such as muscle weakness, swelling, or vocal changes. Additionally, emotional factors like stress, anxiety, and depression—all of which Gomez has spoken about—can affect vocal delivery.
FAQs
- How old is Selena Gomez? The singer is 32 as of June 2025. She was born on 22 July 1992.
- Why did Selena Gomez's voice change? Selena's voice has changed over the years, possibly due to her battle with lupus and medications.
- Why does Selena Gomez talk funny? Some fans describe Selena's speech as "funny" due to noticeable changes in her tone and delivery.
- What disabilities does Selena Gomez have? She has lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease, and has openly struggled with anxiety and bipolar disorder.
- What is going on with Selena Gomez's teeth? Some speculate that Selena Gomez might have also undergone tooth implant procedures. However, she hasn't publicly addressed any dental procedures.
- Who are Selena Gomez's parents? She is the daughter of Mandy Teefey and Ricardo Joel Gomez. Her mother, Mandy, gave birth to Selena at 16.
Wrapping up
Why does Selena Gomez talk different? In recent years, her noticeably different way of speaking has drawn attention across social media and interviews. While she hasn't officially explained the change, it may be linked to her lupus diagnosis, side effects from long-term treatment, or mental health struggles.
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Proofreading by Masolo Mabonga, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
