Rare Beauty Model Accuses Selena Gomez of Degrading Remarks at Summit

Selena Gomez, founder of Rare Beauty, faced backlash after remarks at Fortune's Most Powerful Women Summit where she stated the brand doesn't use traditional models but rather "real people" who feel like friends. This comment deeply hurt one of her own longtime models, who felt dismissed and questioned her entire career, even crying upon hearing the statement during a difficult day. The model, speaking anonymously, described the comments as degrading and embarrassing, especially as friends and family shared the clip, and expressed disappointment given Rare Beauty's emphasis on kindness and mental health. Gomez's remarks sparked widespread criticism and debate about the definition of "real" in beauty campaigns, with the affected model stating she no longer wishes to meet Gomez and is hesitant about future collaborations. Despite the controversy, Gomez has yet to publicly address the criticisms. The incident highlights tensions between the brand's messaging of authenticity and how it is perceived by those who represent it.