Selena Gomez is facing backlash on social media after admitting that she vaped nicotine for years, with some fans questioning why she would take up the habit given her history of serious health issues, including lupus, bipolar disorder, and undergoing a kidney transplant in 2017.
The Only Murders in the Building actress made the admission on her Instagram Stories on Sunday, October 18th while addressing the change in her voice, which she believes was caused by vaping.
Although she also opened up about how difficult quitting nicotine has been and warned others against taking up the habit, many fans were far less sympathetic, particularly given that her friend, Francia Raisa, donated one of her kidneys to her almost ten years ago. Keep reading for all the details…
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Selena Gomez Admits Vaping Nicotine Changed Her Voice And Opens Up About Quitting
In the candid Instagram video, the "In the Dark" singer addressed the questions fans have been asking about her deeper and huskier voice for years, and revealed what she believes caused the change...
"I'm not gonna be able to change my voice. I vaped nicotine a lot," Gomez confessed, before going on to discuss the downsides of her former habit.
Selena Gomez opens up about her nicotine addiction and the changes in her voice. https://t.co/BZ12FWylKX
— Selena Gomez News (@SELENAT0RSARMY) October 18, 2026
"Nicotine is so hard to quit, and I think I just wanted to say, if you're going through it or if you're even trying to vape, it's just not worth it," she continued. "It's so stupid. It changed my voice."
The 34-year-old Wizards of Waverly Place alum then addressed those who have criticized her voice over the years, making it clear that she wasn't particularly bothered by their opinions. "So if you guys don't like listening to my voice, that's totally understandable. I don't mind. Just don't listen to it," she said.
The Rare Beauty founder also revealed that she has now stopped vaping, although she admitted that staying away from nicotine hasn't been easy. Describing the experience as "really hard," she added: "I just hope I can keep it up." She then offered some encouragement to fans who may be struggling with something similar, and said: "If you are going through something, you can get through it too."
Selena Gomez Previously Gave A Different Explanation For Her Changing Voice
Interestingly, this isn't the first time Gomez has addressed questions about her changing voice, although her previous explanation was a little different. During an Instagram Live in December 2025, the Emilia Pérez actress responded to a fan who asked why her voice sounded different, but didn't mention vaping at the time...
"I've gotten this question a few times. The voice thing. Sometimes things happen. I get weird. My throat kind of swells inside sometimes. That's all," she explained.
However, it wasn't just Gomez's changing voice that sparked discussion this time around, as many fans were more concerned about what her vaping admission meant for her health.
As fans will recall, the "Calm Down" singer underwent a kidney transplant in 2017 after complications from lupus, an autoimmune disease she has spoken about openly over the years, with her friend Francia Raisa (above) donating one of her kidneys.
Although Gomez has previously expressed gratitude for the donation, the two have faced years of speculation about their friendship, and her latest admission has reignited criticism from people who believe she should have been more careful with her health following the life-changing surgery…
Fans Slam Selena Gomez For Vaping Despite Her Lupus Battle And Kidney Transplant
"She's a hypocrite. Always been a hypocrite," criticized one person on social media, as a second asked: "If given a second chance on life, would you do this?"
"Ungrateful and disrespectful to the donor," slammed a third, while a fourth questioned: "Why vape if you have multiple health issues?! It just doesn't make sense."
A fifth brought up allegations about the singer's alcohol consumption following her transplant, writing: "Francia was confronting her for Selena's continuous alcohol consumption too post surgery, she has every right to be disappointed." "I LOVE this. Finally she's getting exposed," exclaimed a sixth.
"I've lost respect for her for many reasons. She's just not a good person. She's a mean girl," wrote a seventh. "She's so annoying lol and like her BFF Taylor. Always playing the victim," added an eighth, seemingly referring to Gomez's longtime friend Taylor Swift.
"Does this [expletive] make ANY good decisions in her life? Getting wasted, partying, smoking, specific relationships, etc.," questioned a ninth. A tenth insisted that Gomez's vaping habit shouldn't come as a surprise, writing: "Y'all acting as if you didn't know that Selena smoked or vaped? Even Raisa said that she was angry at Selena for smoking like a chimney after donating her kidney…"
Other Fans Defend Selena Gomez: 'Nobody's Perfect'
Of course, not everyone thought Gomez deserved such harsh criticism, with several fans coming to her defense and pointing out that struggling with addiction doesn't automatically make someone ungrateful for receiving a kidney transplant.
"Leave Selena alone. She's been through enough," defended one fan, as a second similarly insisted: "Leave Selena alone!!" "Nobody's perfect," reasoned a third.
"Say you don't understand mental illness without saying. If you know, you know that smoking and addiction go hand in hand," wrote a fourth, seemingly encouraging others to be more understanding of the challenges associated with addiction.
A fifth chimed in: "She's entitled to have flaws. Just because she had a kidney transplant doesn't mean she owes that chick anything and she definitely is allowed to make mistakes. I promise you anyone that has health problems and transplants all have flaws. We are all humans including her and every other celebrity and we all including them make mistakes."
"Kidneys have nothing to do with vaping. People are just obsessed with finding something wrong with her accepting a kidney from her friend. They always have been," argued a sixth.
