Selena Gomez is ready for a personal “Revival.”
The actress and pop superstar has announced that she’ll be stepping away from the spotlight while she focuses on her recovery from lupus.
In a statement released to Access Hollywood on Tuesday, Selena revealed that the illness has taken a toll on her mental and emotional health.
“As many of you know, around a year ago I revealed that I have lupus, an illness that can affect people in different ways,” her statement read. “I’ve discovered that anxiety, panic attacks and depression can be side effects of lupus, which can present their own challenges.”
Selena went on to explain why a much-needed break will help her stay ahead of the symptoms.
“I want to be proactive and focus on maintaining my health and happiness and have decided that the best way forward is to take some time off,” she continued.
The 24-year-old has been on the road since May in support of her hit album “Revival,” and assured fans and fellow lupus sufferers that her difficult decision is ultimately the right one.
“Thank you to all my fans for your support. You know how special you are to me, but I need to face this head on to ensure I am doing everything possible to be my best. I know I am not alone by sharing this, I hope others will be encouraged to address their own issues,” she concluded.
As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, Selena canceled portions of her “Stars Dance” tour back in 2013 and 2014 as a result of her condition – which she hadn’t yet made public.
“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,” she told Billboard in October 2015.
Last month, Selena hinted toward some soul-searching in a candid Instagram post that has since been deleted.
“I need to rethink some areas of my life creatively and personally,” she wrote at the time.
Selena’s “Revival” tour was scheduled to run through December.
— Erin Biglow