I share a birthday with singer and actress Selena Gomez –– July 22.
Because of this, I decided to watch her new documentary: “My Mind & Me.” Available exclusively on Apple TV+ and released on Nov. 4, there was something so engaging about Gomez’ story.
This documentary made a home for itself in my brain, the overarching message of being a work in progress bounced around inside my head for days.
This hour and 35-minute movie covered Gomez’s life from 2016 to 2020, with old home videos and diary entries masterfully threaded throughout. The powerful combination of testimonies from Gomez and her support system added a level of humanity, giving the well-known celebrity a sense of normality.
Interviews withGomez’s mother and her best friends added another dimension to previously unknown events, like the cancellation of her tour in 2016. The sources fill in the blanks for viewers, providing insider information of Gomez’s struggles with her mental health.
Gomez made her acting debut on “Barney & Friends,” a popular children’s television show in 2002, when she was just seven years old. Since then, she’s been working nonstop, starring in Disney Channel’s “Wizards of Waverly Place” –– a show I wasn’t allowed to watch, except at sleepovers.
Regardless, I grew up loving her music. She was an idol of mine, but, like many others, I was too young to realize everything she was going through.
Her internal struggle –– trying to stay calm and uphold her family-friendly image while the public berates her for her mental health problems and failed relationships –– heavily weighs on her. As an audience member, you can’t help but be overcome with empathy. She attempts to distance herself from the Disney Channel image while building her own brand and come to terms with her Bipolar Disorder diagnosis and Lupus.
There was something captivating about the vulnerability in this documentary. Her journey, while unique, resonated with me. I admire the way she continues to gracefully move forward, regardless of what her past looks like.
It was heartbreaking to watch everything she wanted be ripped from her fingers –– her ability to have children, her WE Charity Foundation endeavors, her excitement over the AMA performance –– but it was inspiring to see how her attitude evolved despite the struggles.
She blossoms in this documentary. Despite her hardships, she’s managed to stay alive – as she leans upon her roots. I can’t help but admire her for recognizing the things in her life that are no longer serving her. She surrounds herself with the people she holds dear and attempts to pay her success forward, pruning the dead leaves from her metaphorical plant.
I appreciate the way she recognizes her mental and physical struggles and, without diminishing them, continues to live life and accomplish her goals.
One thing that shines through about Gomez is that she recognizes she’s still a work in progress. It was fascinating to watch her grow into herself after a lifetime of acting, performing and singing.
This project of Gomez’s is for the kids who grew up watching her in all their favorite movies and shows. It covers mature topics, showing a stark difference between her roles on Disney Channel and her new projects. Gomez invites us into her mind, giving us a deeper understanding of her psyche and a deeper respect for her as an artist.
Edited by Lucy Valeski |
Copy edited by Grace Locke and Emily Rutledge
