Selena Gomez revealed in a video posted on Sunday that her voice had been affected by vaping, addressing long-standing discussions about changes in her voice. The U.S. singer, actor, and founder of Rare Beauty makeup line shared on her now unavailable Instagram stories that her voice was altered due to vaping nicotine extensively. She emphasized the challenges of quitting nicotine and advised against starting or continuing vaping, emphasizing its detrimental effects on her voice.
Gomez humorously acknowledged the impact on her voice and expressed understanding if people found it unpleasant, suggesting they simply avoid listening to it if that’s the case. She did not specify the duration of her vaping habit but mentioned she had stopped and hoped to maintain this decision, despite the difficulty.
The singer has been transparent about her health struggles, including being diagnosed with Lupus in 2015, a chronic autoimmune disease affecting the body’s healthy tissues and organs. Gomez hinted that Lupus may have influenced her vocal cords, citing occasional swelling in her throat. Additionally, she underwent a kidney transplant in 2017 and recently disclosed her bipolar disorder diagnosis in the documentary “Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me.”
While Gomez’s revelation sheds light on the risks of vaping, health experts caution that vaping poses broader health risks beyond nicotine. Dr. Dilini Vethanayagam, a medicine professor at the University of Alberta, highlighted the potential harm of various chemicals in vape smoke on the upper and lower airways, including the vocal cords. Health Canada has identified over 1,500 unique chemicals in vaping products, underscoring the ongoing research into the long-term health implications of vaping, such as lung damage.
Dr. Vethanayagam commended Gomez for raising awareness about vaping’s dangers, emphasizing the importance of public figures addressing such issues. She stressed the need for stricter regulations on vaping sales and usage to combat what she views as an emerging epidemic. Despite the federal government’s pledge to restrict vaping flavors in response to increased youth use, concrete actions and timelines remain uncertain.
In light of the ongoing discussions, representatives from N.B. Lung are engaging with MPs in Ottawa to advocate for regulations preventing young people from purchasing tobacco products, including vaping devices. The dialogue around vaping continues to evolve, with a focus on safeguarding public health and curbing the potential risks associated with vaping products.
Image: Gomez, left, and Benny Blanco at the 83rd Golden Globes on Jan. 11, 2026, in Beverly Hills, Calif.