Selena Gomez has vowed ‘never to be a meme again’ after her viral reaction during last night’s MTV VMAs.
The actor and singer scooped the award for Best Afrobeats at the event thanks to her collaboration on Rema’s hit Calm Down.
Collecting her award, a visibly-emotional Gomez said: “Thank you so much, Rema, for believing in me.
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“Thank you for choosing me to be part of an incredible song that has been able to break records.
“Thank all of you for listening, for streaming, I could not be more honored. I want to send all my love to Nigeria.”
But her win was somewhat overshadowed by her own facial expressions during the night.
The 31-year-old got the meme treatment after a camera zoomed in on her less-than-impressed face when Best R&B nominee Chris Brown’s name was read out.
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In the viral video, the 'Single Soon' singer turns up her nose and scrunches her face in what seems to be total disinterest, compared to her happy smiles and claps for the other nominees.
Viewers flocked to social media to comment on Gomez’s expression, with one person writing on X: “Selena Gomez’s reaction to Chris Brown is SO FUNNY.”
Another said: “the VMAs isn't about people winning awards anymore, it's about Selena Gomez reactions.”
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While a third commented: “Selena's reactions that carried the whole show will remain iconic and funny. Selena Gomez you will always be famous.”
It’s unclear why Gomez pulled a face - but she’s since addressed the moment online.
In a post on Instagram Stories, she wrote:
“I will never be a meme again,” she wrote. “I'd rather sit still than be dragged for being myself. Much love.”
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Brown, who was nominated for his collaboration with Chloe Bailey on the track How Does It Feel, but lost to SZA’s Shirt.
Earlier this month, Gomez seemed slightly happier about becoming a meme - after she opted to share a viral reaction shot of herself on Instagram.
Gomez was one of a slew of celebrities who went to watch Argentinian soccer superstar Lionel Messi make his first appearance for Inter Miami when they took on Los Angeles FC in LA.
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At one point during the game, Messi came close to scoring - but was stopped thanks to LA goalkeeper John McCarthy. Gomez was clearly fully absorbed in the action and was captured on camera with her jaw to the floor and eyes wide open.
She later shared the shot to Instagram alongside the word: “mood”.
Topics: Celebrity, Selena Gomez, Social Media
Claire Reid