In an exclusive interview with Vanity Fair, actress Selena Gomez has opened up about her inability to carry her own children. The Only Murders in the Building star discussed how her medical history has played a role in her journey to have a family.

During her interview, the singer talked about her cousin Priscilla’s children, to whom Selena is godmother to, sharing that she gets front row seat to her cousin’s parenting style. The conversation led the actress to divulge for the first time, “I haven’t ever said this, but I unfortunately can’t carry my own children.” She went on to cite her “medical issues” as the reason, revealing they “would put my life and the baby’s in jeopardy.” In 2013, the Wizards of Waverly Place star was diagnosed with lupus and in 2017 she received a kidney transplant. Selena’s friend and fellow actress Francia Raisa donated her kidney to the actress.

The Rare Beauty founder revealed that finding out she couldn’t carry children “was something I had to grieve for a while.” On how that shifted her plans for starting a family, the actress shared, “It’s not necessarily the way I envisioned it. I thought it would happen the way it happens for everyone.” As for how she’s feeling now, Selena is “in a much better place with that.”

The “Calm Down” singer discussed other avenues she could take to grow her family and her thoughts on these options. “I find it a blessing that there are wonderful people willing to do surrogacy or adoption, which are both huge possibilities for me. It made me really thankful for the other outlets for people who are dying to be moms. I’m one of those people. I’m excited for what that journey will look like, but it’ll look a little different. At the end of the day, I don’t care. It’ll be mine. It’ll be my baby.”

The actress also opened up about her relationship with record producer Benny Blanco, whom she’s been dating since 2023. The two collaborated in 2015 on “Same Old Love” and again four years later in 2019 on “I Can’t Get Enough,” but were not yet romantically involved. They became a couple in July 2023 and confirmed their relationship nearly six months later that December. Selena shared of their relationship, “I’ve never been loved this way. He’s just been a light. A complete light in my life. He’s my best friend. I love telling him everything.”

As for whether the couple will tie the knot any time soon, the Emilia Pérez star shared, “We always make sure we’re protecting what we have, but there’s no rules. I want him to always be himself. I always want to be myself.” She went on to reveal that when they do eventually get married, “I’m not changing my name no matter what. I am Selena Gomez. That’s it.”

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Kate Fann (she/her) is the BabyNames.com celebrity blogger, as well as an established content writer, aspiring author, and social media expert. She has been featured in online publications such as Bolde, ManoByte, Medium, The Social Observer, and more. Kate has ghostwritten numerous romance novels and is currently working on publishing her own works in the Young Adult genre.

Kate lives in East Tennessee with her husband Casey and her two sons, Quinn and Noah. When she's not writing or scrolling Instagram, Kate can be found tasting delicious wines, playing with make-up, baking yummy treats, or hiking the beautiful Smoky Mountains.