Selena Gomez had chemotherapy for autoimmune disease Lupus

She also slams the media for addiction rumours

Published 8th Oct 2015

Selena Gomez has revealed she has had chemotherapy for chronic autoimmune disease Lupus.

23-year-old Selena first sparked fears about her health in 2013 when she axed her Australian and Asian tour.

She then took an extended break including time at the Dawn at the Meadows rehab facility and had to deny to the media she had drug problems at the time.

Now, in an interview with Billboard magazine, Selena says the real reason for her hiatus was she was undergoing gruelling chemotherapy for Lupus.

“I was diagnosed with lupus, and I’ve been through chemotherapy. That’s what my break was really about. I could’ve had a stroke," Selena explained.

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Hitting out at the gossip websites speculating about her ‘addictions’, Selena added: “I wanted so badly to say, ‘You guys have no idea. I’m in chemotherapy. You’re a***.' I locked myself away until I was confident and comfortable again.”

However, Selena says that this poor treatment in the media has inspired her to achieve her goals.

"I'm so f***ing nice to everybody, and everyone is so vile to me. I’ve been working since I was 7. I’ve been a UNICEF ambassador since I was 17. It’s so disappointing that I’ve become a tabloid story. The hate motivated me."

Potentially life-threatening, Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease where the human immune system becomes hyperactive and attacks normal, healthy tissue.

There are various types that can affect many parts of the body including joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, heart, and lungs.

Selena’s new album ‘Revival’ is released through Polydor Records this Friday 9th October.