Taylor Lautner Defends Selena Gomez Against Body-Shaming Comments

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Taylor Lautner has come to the defense of actress Selena Gomez following a wave of body-shaming comments aimed at her after the 2025 Screen Actors Guild Awards. Lautner, 33, shared his thoughts on Instagram on February 26, after Gomez was criticized for her appearance at the awards event.

On his Instagram Stories, Lautner reposted a message from body positivity influencer Alex Light, who highlighted the contradictory comments regarding Gomez’s body from the 2024 and 2025 SAG Awards. Light noted Gomez was mocked for gaining weight last year and criticized for losing weight this year, illustrating the unrealistic beauty standards imposed on women.

“It’s a cruel world full of hate out there,” Lautner remarked. “You can never please everyone nor should you have to. In my experience, it doesn’t make the words sting less, it just refocuses you onto what matters.” He continued, emphasizing that personal value should not be derived from physical appearance. “Daily reminder to all of us to not forget how beautiful you are inside and out… and be a little bit nicer,” Lautner concluded.

Light’s initial Instagram post pointed out the inconsistencies in public perception surrounding Gomez’s weight. Comments from 2024 indicated she looked “hot” despite gaining weight, while more recent remarks have speculated on the use of weight-loss medications amid altered opinions on her body over the years.

Gomez, 32, has publicly addressed body image issues throughout her career, sharing her experience with health fluctuations due to lupus and kidney complications. In a November 2019 podcast, she shared, “I have lupus and deal with kidney issues and high blood pressure, so I deal with a lot of health issues, and for me, that’s when I really started noticing more of the body image stuff.”

Similarly, Lautner has spoken candidly about his struggles with mental health due to public comments on his appearance post-Twilight fame. In a February 2023 podcast episode, he described how returning to the public eye challenged his self-esteem and signaled the importance of mental health over physical appearance.

He advised listeners, “Don’t find happiness in what you want your body to look like. Don’t think just because you lose the 20 lbs. or put on the muscle, you’re going to wake up and look in the mirror and all of a sudden be happy. That’s not where you should be finding value.”

Gomez’s history of coping with body image issues and health challenges has made her a strong advocate for self-acceptance. Since gaining fame on Disney Channel’s *Wizards of Waverly Place*, she has continued to face public scrutiny regarding her body. Despite criticism, Gomez has championed messages of self-love and resilience.

While many have rallied to support Gomez online, reactions to Lautner’s defense further demonstrate the conversation surrounding body image and societal expectations. As Light summarized in her post, “This isn’t just about Selena; it’s about the impossible standards placed on all women — in the public eye or not.”