- Selena Gomez broke her silence on years of fan speculation about her voice sounding different, sharing a candid confession on Instagram Stories
- The 34-year-old singer admitted to heavily vaping nicotine and issued a warning to fans who may be considering or already using e-cigarettes
- Gomez, who has previously spoken about her lupus diagnosis and kidney transplant, revealed she has since quit and is determined to stay off nicotine
Selena Gomez has finally put years of fan speculation to rest, revealing that vaping nicotine is behind the noticeable change in her voice.
Source: Facebook
According to USA Today, the 33-year-old singer and Only Murders in the Building star she addressed the topic directly in a video posted to her Instagram Stories on Sunday, 18 October 2026, offering what is her most candid explanation yet.
"I vaped nicotine a lot," Gomez told her followers. "Nicotine is so hard to quit, and I think I just wanted to say, if you're going through it or if you're even trying to vape, it's just not worth it. It's so stupid, and it's changed my voice."
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She acknowledged the change appears to be permanent but confirmed she has now stopped using nicotine products, adding: "I am really excited because I stopped, and I just hope I can keep it up."
Why vaping affects the voice
Health experts say Gomez's experience aligns well with what science knows about e-cigarettes and the vocal cords. Vape aerosol passes directly over the vocal cords, drying and inflaming the tissue lining.
Healthy vocal cords rely on moisture and suppleness to vibrate evenly, so when they swell or dry out, the voice can turn rough, hoarse or fatigued.
The substances found in vape aerosol, including propylene glycol, glycerin, nicotine, flavourings and trace harsh chemicals, are known to cause throat dryness, irritation and voice fatigue.
A 2025 study of young daily vapers found that their vocal cords closed more slowly and vibrated less consistently than those of non-vapers.
Not the first time she has spoken out
Gomez actually touched on the subject back in December 2025 during an Instagram Live, though she stopped short of naming vaping as the cause at the time.
"I think my point is that sometimes things happen... My throat kind of swells inside sometimes. That's all," she said then.
Her health journey has long been part of her public story. Gomez was diagnosed with lupus in 2013, underwent a kidney transplant in 2017, and has also been open about her diagnoses of bipolar disorder, anxiety and depression.
Notably, lupus can itself cause inflammation of the larynx, which may contribute to voice changes, though Gomez's latest video made clear she attributes the shift to vaping.
She closed her message with a note of encouragement for anyone facing a similar struggle:
"If you are going through something, then you can get through it too."
Selena's hope to become a mum
We also highlighted facts about Selena's tender Instagram post with a newborn, which offered a glimpse into her hopes of becoming a mother with husband Benny Blanco.
Gomez has said her medical conditions mean carrying a child could put her life and the baby’s at risk. She has spoken about adoption and surrogacy as possible paths, saying, “It’ll be mine. It’ll be my baby.”
Source: TUKO.co.ke