Selena Gomez couldn’t watch her own ‘My Mind and Me’ premiere (‘too hard’), talks ‘Barney’ teasing
Selena Gomez was the one guest who couldn’t watch the world premiere of her own documentary “Selena Gomez: My Mind and Me” Monday night.
Gomez, 30, said she said needed to step away once the deeply personal documentary started at the TCL Chinese theater to kick off the American Film Institute Film Festival.
“My Spanx hurt really bad, so I’m a little uncomfortable,” Gomez said after the 95-minute film ended, earning a laugh with her deadpan depreciation. “I’m also a little nervous. I didn’t watch (the movie) with you guys, because I think it would be too hard for me. “
“My Mind and Me,” (on AppleTV+ Friday) follows Gomez through six years of her career, capturing a revealing behind-the-scenes look at the young star’s challenges with her mental health, lupus and her all-encompassing fame.
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Gomez said she wanted to have Alek Keshishian, who worked with Gomez on the music video for “Can’t Keep My Hands to Myself,” direct her documentary ever since seeing his 1991 Madonna concert tour documentary “Truth or Dare.” The original plan was to cover Gomez’s 2016 Revival tour, which was ultimately canceled due to physical and mental health crises.
“We soon realized that there was much more going on than just the tour that I eventually ended up canceling,” says Gomez. “(Keshishian) came into my life in these moments that were beautiful, complicated and tragic. And I felt comfortable sharing what I was walking through.”
Keshishian called Gomez “so authentic and vulnerable.” The Madonna-confidante added of Gomez, “Unlike most pop stars and most celebrities I know. She doesn’t have armor.”
The film shows Gomez growing up in Grand Prairie, Texas, and revisiting her hometown after superstardom to see her old school and neighbors.
“I’m a Texas girl through and through and I truly feel like the most beautiful woman when I’m home,” Gomez said. “When I go home, I visit the house I’m from every time and the neighbors. I don’t think they see me any differently than who I was when I was younger.”