Selena Gomez is not interested in turning back the clock. While fans continue to revisit her 2016 appearance and share throwback photos online, the singer and Rare Beauty founder has made it clear that she is perfectly happy to grow older.
In a new interview, Gomez opened up about ageing, beauty and the pressure to hold on to a younger version of yourself. Instead of worrying about looking exactly as she did a decade ago, the 34-year-old said she is enjoying this stage of her life and has no desire to be 'frozen' in the past.
Fans Keep Revisiting 2016
Gomez's 2016 era remains a popular reference point for fans. From her beauty looks to her style, images from that period regularly resurface online, prompting some followers to say they want to see the star return to her former appearance.
But Gomez has a different perspective on those throwbacks. Speaking to People, she said she sometimes feels fans want to 'freeze' her in the way she looked in 2016. She added: 'Maybe it was probably more interesting because I'm now chilling, which is great. But it was such a hectic period in my life!'
It was a major year in Gomez's career. She released her second solo album, Revival, in October 2015, featuring hits including 'Hands to Myself' and 'Kill Em with Kindness', before launching its accompanying world tour in May 2016. However, she later cancelled the remaining dates after announcing she would take time off to focus on her health, citing lupus and its side effects.
Nearly a decade later, that period remains closely associated with Gomez's image. However, she is not trying to recreate it. Instead, she is embracing how she has changed over the years.
SELENA GOMEZ
— lvcs (@lvcsgomez) July 26, 2026
2016. 2026. pic.twitter.com/7VkvnAtbUE
Selena Gomez Embraces Ageing
For Gomez, ageing is not something she wants to fight. 'Getting older has been so much fun,' she said, adding: 'I'm not scared at all. I love getting older.'
She also acknowledged that getting older naturally comes with physical changes. As she put it: 'Things are going to change and things are going to sag, but you're alive... I think age is just a number in many ways.'
Gomez's comments also came shortly after her 2026 Emmys appearance sparked online discussion about her looks. Some social media users made harsh and unverified claims about her appearance, while others compared her with older celebrities and her younger self.
The reaction added to the scrutiny surrounding how Gomez looks as she gets older.
selena gomez at the 78th emmy awards pic.twitter.com/sRJ0eesRHx
— pop vydeos (@popvydeos) September 15, 2026
What Rare Beauty Stands For
Gomez's attitude towards ageing also sits alongside the beauty message she has built through Rare Beauty, the cosmetics brand she launched in 2020.
The brand has positioned itself around individuality and self-expression, rather than making people feel they need to look a certain way. Its product range includes makeup for different routines and preferences, while its wider mission has also focused heavily on mental health.
According to Rare Beauty, 1% of its sales goes towards the Rare Impact Fund, which supports mental health services and education for young people.
That work has become an important part of Gomez's public approach to beauty. Her latest comments about ageing similarly shift the focus away from maintaining a particular appearance and towards accepting yourself as you change.
