Singer Selena Gomez was recently announced as Billboard's Woman of the Year, just days after the former Disney star made the headlines because of her rumored breakup with The Weeknd and her recent recount of her lupus battle.
Billboard announced that the 25-year-old singer was the latest woman to be honored with such award, joining previous awardees Lady Gaga, Pink, Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, and Beyonce on the roster. The organization would hand Gomez the award at the Women in Music dinner and awards gala in the Ray Dolby Ballroom, in Los Angeles, California, on Nov. 30.
The president of The Hollywood Reporter-Billboard Media Group, John Amato, lauded Gomez for serving as an inspiration to young women and for encouraging them to have their own voice. "She is never afraid to speak her mind and has used her platform to advocate for the needs of others," he added. The official also took note of Gomez's involvement in other aspects as well.
Aside from her passion for music, Gomez had also ventured into production, as she served as an executive producer for Netflix's hit series "13 Reasons Why." Gomez was also known for having a helping hand, garnering $500,000 for the Lupus Research Alliance. She is also an ambassador for UNICEF.
Most of her songs had been welcomed by fans as well. "Fetish" and "It Ain't Me," had placed in top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 list this year. Gomez's albums, "Revival" in 2015 and "Stars Dance" in 2013, had landed at the top spot for Billboard 200.
The "Bad Liar" singer recently opened up about her battle with lupus and the kidney transplant that she had undergone this year. Gomez revealed that she had initially kept going despite lupus taking a toll on her health, which was a result of her denial of the disease.
