Selena Gomez’s new music video for “In The Dark” has sparked an unexpected wave of online scrutiny, with some social media users fixating on the singer’s appearance rather than the performance itself. Following the October 23 release, a handful of posts accused Gomez of overdone cosmetic work and mocked her face shape — criticism that prompted fellow artist Grimes to publicly step in.
In a response shared on X on October 25, Grimes condemned the commentary and defended Gomez’s appearance and artistry, calling the discourse both misleading and harmful. Her posts quickly drew attention from fans who praised the musician for pushing back against what she described as bullying.
Grimes Calls Out “High School Level Bullying”
Grimes’ defense came after one viral post compared Gomez to an “X-Files monster of the week.” The musician, who said she had been back online briefly, pushed back against the framing and the way selective screenshots were being used to misrepresent the video.
“I’ve been in the internet for like 48 hours and despite minor benefits I might have to leave,” Grimes wrote in her reply. “Watched this Selena Gomez video, besides a few weird derp shots that ppl were able to clip and super misrepresent how she looks, she looks extremely beautiful, is prob one of the most beautiful girls.”
She didn’t stop there. Grimes also questioned the broader impact of the comments, asking, “How do you think little girls feel reading stuff like this about another woman?” She labeled the pile-on “high school level bullying,” and noted that the narrative around Gomez’s face was “disturbing — in part because it’s not even true if you actually watch [the music] video.”
Grimes’ remarks arrived as fans debated whether the criticism was fair game or simply another instance of social media’s tendency to decontextualize imagery for engagement. Her posts firmly took the latter position, urging viewers to focus on the work at hand rather than cherry-picked screenshots.
Inside Selena Gomez’s “In The Dark” Video
The music video finds Gomez staging a moody, high-drama performance in a series of black ensembles, moving between stylized settings and close-up, emotive frames. The aesthetic leans into stark lighting, shadow, and contrast, offering the kind of expressive visuals that invite tight crops and freeze-frames — the same elements that, when clipped out of context, fueled the recent discourse.
Despite the noise online, Gomez’s focus in the video remains squarely on performance — dramatically delivered vocals and an emphasis on mood and atmosphere. While some commenters zeroed in on how she looked, others praised the singer for leaning into a sleek, minimalist palette that complements the track’s moodier tones.
Grimes’ critique of the criticism also underscored a recurring dynamic in pop culture conversations: how quickly a music video drop can morph into a conversation about a woman’s face, body, and choices, rather than the artistic decisions on screen.
Gomez Has Been Open About Health, Body, And Cosmetic Work
While Gomez has not publicly commented on the latest round of backlash — or on Grimes’ response — she has previously addressed the scrutiny around her appearance over the years. Gomez has spoken about living with lupus, a chronic autoimmune condition that can cause inflammation and weight fluctuations, and how it has affected her body.
The singer and actress has also been transparent about cosmetic treatments, noting that she has had Botox injections, while clarifying that she has not undergone other cosmetic procedures. Her comments have often emphasized self-acceptance, with Gomez repeatedly pushing back on body-shaming and reaffirming that she “loves her body,” even amid public commentary and viral posts.
That openness has made her a frequent target of online debate, but it has also rallied fans who appreciate her candor and resilience in the face of invasive scrutiny. In this latest episode, supporters echoed Grimes’ call for more empathy and less fixation on perceived imperfections.
Why Grimes’ Response Resonates
Grimes’ message hit a nerve because it addressed both the specific and the systemic: a single wave of posts distorting a music video, and the larger ecosystem that thrives on tearing down public figures — particularly women — over their appearances. By pointing to the way “weird derp shots” can be clipped to tell a misleading story, she highlighted how easily the conversation can be reshaped by a few out-of-context images.
Her question — “How do you think little girls feel reading stuff like this about another woman?” — reframed the moment as a teachable one about the kind of culture social media can perpetuate. It’s a reminder that commentary doesn’t happen in a vacuum, and that it can echo beyond the timeline into the expectations and perceptions of younger audiences.
Ultimately, Grimes urged viewers to engage with Gomez’s work in good faith. If you actually watch the “In The Dark” video, she argued, the narrative that Gomez “looks strange” falls apart. What remains is a streamlined visual concept, an emotive performance, and an artist continuing to push her music forward — regardless of the noise surrounding it.
At the moment, Gomez has not addressed the backlash, and the focus remains on the video’s rollout and reception. Whether or not she responds, Grimes’ intervention has redirected attention toward the work itself — and toward a healthier conversation about how we talk about artists online.
