Selena Gomez faces criticism after giving a homeless man $20—the amount seen as being pretty meager by her fans, who claim she is a billionaire. On Tuesday night, this was outside Nobu Fifty-Seven in New York City, where the singer mingled with her fans. A video of the encounter has since gone viral, prompting backlash on social media.
The video shows Gomez being approached by a homeless man who asks her for money. She stops, turns to her bodyguard, and asks for a $20 bill, which he gives to the man so she can say, “Have a good meal.” Sure, it was a kind act on her part, but many went online debating the amount given, claiming it was basically “spare change” versus her gain in financial success.
This was further reflected on social media, where one such user commented, “With the amount of money she makes, that’s like giving the homeless man a dime.” Others similarly expressed frustrations that she couldn’t give more: “She could have bought him a house,” and “Twenty dollars, that’s it?
According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Selena Gomez’s estimated net worth is approximately $1.3 billion. After transitioning from a Disney Channel star, she created her makeup line, Rare Beauty, owning 51% of the company, which may comprise over 80% of her wealth. In an interview with Forbes in 2023, Gomez said, “I just care about having good products.” Ultimately, she wants her makeup brand to be fun and accessible—or so she says.
