Selena Gomez is opening up about the unique bond she shares with her mother, Mandy Teefey, in a heartfelt conversation with Saoirse Ronan for Variety’s Actors on Actors series.
In the interview, which aired on Wednesday, Dec. 11, Gomez, 32, shared how her experience growing up with a teen mom felt reminiscent of the dynamic between Lorelai and Rory Gilmore from Gilmore Girls. “My mom had me when she was 16,” Gomez began, drawing a parallel to Ronan’s recent role as a young mom in Blitz. “I do feel that we grew up together, and that’s a different perspective than someone who would wait until they’re older to have a child.”
Gomez, who has always been open about her close relationship with Teefey, expressed her gratitude for how they supported each other through the years. “I am so grateful that we were there for each other,” she added. “It felt very Gilmore Girls.”
Her mother’s role in Gomez’s life was not only one of love but also of careful guidance. The Rare Beauty founder recalled how Teefey would always look out for her, even in the face of the pressures of fame. “My mom was fantastic,” Gomez continued. “She would never put me in a room by myself; she was very aware of things that I didn’t know. For example, if I had to go to a premiere and I was 16, she’d say, ‘You can’t go to the after-party. You can have fun, and then you’re going to go home.’ Little things that helped my sanity, if you will.”
This wasn’t the first time Gomez has spoken about her mom’s sacrifices. In a past E! special, Gomez shared that Teefey had juggled multiple jobs to make sure she had everything she needed. “My mom gave up everything for me,” she said at the time.
Teefey, who is now 48, also opened up about her struggles as a teen mom in a 2017 interview with ET. “I was very judged for being a teen mom,” she recalled, describing how growing up in a rough neighborhood made her even more determined to provide a better life for her daughter. “When I got pregnant, I was like, ‘Okay, I have another person depending on me. I gotta get straight.'”
Looking back, Gomez also reflected on her own role as a mother in her recent film Emilia Pérez. “It was very sweet,” she said, but admitted that playing a mom on screen was intimidating. “There is something about children that is fearless, and I appreciate that so much, and I miss it a little.”
As for her current career, Gomez is riding high on her Golden Globe nominations. On Dec. 9, she was nominated for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role for her portrayal of Jessi in Emilia Pérez, as well as for her role in Only Murders in the Building as Mabel Mora.
In an Instagram story, she shared her excitement about the nominations, saying, “I’m so proud of @zoesaldana and I am so grateful and honored @goldenglobes.”
As Gomez continues to make her mark in Hollywood, her unwavering bond with her mom remains a cornerstone of her life—proving that the most meaningful relationships are built on love, sacrifice, and shared growth.
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