Selena Gomez sparked an intense online debate on Monday (27) after sharing an emotional Instagram video reacting to the latest U.S. immigration crackdown. In the now-deleted clip, the 32-year-old singer and actress opened about the heartbreaking impact of the deportation measures.
“I’m heartbroken. Families and children are being torn apart, and I don’t know what to do,” Gomez said through tears. She ended her message with a simple caption: “I’m sorry,” alongside a Mexican flag emoji.
The post quickly went viral, drawing over 36 million views before Gomez took it down. While many fans praised her for speaking out, others criticised her intensely. Among the claims circulating online was a supposed comment from fellow singer Lana Del Rey, who was alleged to have written, “You should pack your bags and go back to Mexico. Take your abuela with you.”
However, the now-viral claim has turned out to be fake. The account that originated the rumour, @DeludedShaniqwa on X, is known for parody posts aimed at generating virality and sensationalism. The account explicitly labels itself as satire in its bio and later reshared the post with the caption, “This post was doing generational numbers but the Community Notes nerds had to ruin it.”
Neither Lana Del Rey nor Selena Gomez has addressed the rumour directly, but the clarification hasn’t stopped the misinformation from spreading widely, adding to the backlash Gomez faced for her video.
Gomez’s advocacy for immigrant rights is well-documented. Her father’s family has Mexican immigrant roots, and she produced the 2019 Netflix docuseries Living Undocumented, which highlighted the stories of families navigating the U.S. immigration system. Despite her personal connection to the issue, some online trolls dismissed her as “out of touch,” accusing her of being overly dramatic or unpatriotic.
In response to the backlash, Gomez shared another Instagram story, writing, “Apparently it’s not okay to show empathy for people,” though she later deleted that post as well.
The controversy unfolded amid one of the largest deportation operations in recent U.S. history. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recently detained over 950 individuals in a nationwide sweep, with plans to deport thousands more.
Despite the backlash, Gomez’s message has reignited discussions about the human cost of immigration policies. For many, it’s not just about politics—it’s about the real people and families caught in the crossfire. Supporters of Gomez rallied behind her, applauding her courage for addressing such a polarising issue. “Selena always uses her platform for good—this is why we love her,” one fan wrote.
Despite the chaos surrounding her post, Gomez’s emotional plea has reignited discussions about the human cost of immigration policies and the challenges of showing empathy in a polarised world.
While Gomez has remained quiet since the ongoing discussions about her post, her emotional plea has reignited discussions about the human cost of immigration policies and the challenges of showing empathy in a polarised world. Her advocacy, despite the backlash, underscores her commitment to amplifying the voices of those most affected.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.