Keynote Selena Gomez spotlights prioritizing mental health during Academy Women’s Luncheon

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — While surveying a room packed with Hollywood’s most influential figures, “Emilia Pérez” star Selena Gomez took center stage to spotlight a critical issue: Prioritizing mental health and supporting underserved communities often left behind in the conversation.

“It’s about taking action to ensure that underserved communities have access to mental health resources,” Gomez said Tuesday at the Academy Women’s Luncheon. The singer-actor has been public about her mental health struggles, revealing she had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

In 2020, Gomez started the Rare Impact Fund and her Rare Beauty line of cosmetics, pledging to donate 1% of all sales to the fund to help expand mental health services and education for young people.

“It’s about showing them that when we come together, we can make a real difference,” said Gomez, a Grammy and Emmy-nominated performer who became a Golden Globes double nominee Monday for her roles on “Emilia Pérez” and “Only Murders in the Building.”

“I know firsthand how isolation can make you feel at times,” she said. “But moments like this and talking to all these amazing women, it just reminds me that I’m not alone. We share. And when we stand together, we create a ripple effect that stretches far beyond our own lives.

Gomez was the keynote speaker at the event held at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures with attendees including Ariana Grande, Olivia Wilde, Amy Adams, Pamela Anderson, Sarah Paulson, Regina King, Rita Wilson, Ava DuVernay and Awkwafina.

Gomez talked about the importance of amplifying women’s voice and being proud while working on “Emilia Pérez,” which she says featured “extraordinary” women from in front and behind the camera. She said the film’s director, Jacques Audiard, fostered the idea that “every single voice is heard and valued.”

“It reminded me of the power of community, supporting and lifting up each other — whether in film, music or life itself,” she said.

Many actors in attendance dressed in Chanel clothing, jewelry, shoes, makeup and accessories. The luxury fashion brand, which sponsored the event, has had a long association with film and women creatives since founder Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel saw an opportunity to put her designs in the movies and empower women in film.

Tuesday’s event was held to bring together women from all facets of the filmmaking community. It was also a celebration of the Academy Gold Fellowship for Women, a program that supports emerging women filmmakers.

Gomez paid homage to the event for highlighting women filmmakers and the efforts behind creating resources for those in the fellowship.

“It is honestly such an honor to be in this room with so many women that I love and have inspired me throughout the years,” she said. “They continue to empower me, not only in our industry, but around world.”