Selena Gomez recently canceled the Australian and Asian leg of her Stars Dance Tour, igniting speculation about a recent emotional breakdown and a possible stint in rehab.
As it turns out, the 21-year-old entertainer suffers from Lupus. Symptoms include facial swelling, extreme fatigue, headaches and joint pain. The course of the disease can be unpredictable, with periods of remission followed by flares that are treated with medication. Women of child-bearing age are nine times more likely to be affected.
The former Disney star was reportedly diagnosed with the autoimmune disease several years ago, though she has opted to keep the information private until it was recently leaked by a source close to the singer.
Popdust reports, “Selena has been going full throttle the past few years and her Lupus is really catching up with her right now. She knows that she needs to take some time to address the disease and look after herself better if she wants to live a full and healthy life.”
Other celebrities who suffer from the potentially debilitating illness: Seal, Nick Cannon and Toni Braxton.
Gomez recently issued this statement: “My fans are so important to me and I would never want to disappoint them. But it has become clear to me and those close to me that after many years of putting my work first, I need to spend some time on myself in order to be the best person I can be. To my fans, I sincerely apologize.”
Her rep has not yet commented on the latest reports.
Photo: WENN