Selena Gomez hosted her second annual Rare Impact Fund Benefit in L.A. on Thursday, with a focus on youth mental health as the star opened up about her own personal experiences.
The event, with the theme of “A Night of Radiance and Reflection,” supported the Rare Impact Fund’s mission to mobilize $100 million for organizations increasing access to youth mental health services and education around the world. One percent of all Gomez’s Rare Beauty brand sales are also donated to the Rare Impact Fund.
Billy Crudup served as the evening’s emcee, and Gomez took the stage inside the benefit to talk about the cause, acknowledging, “My ultimate dream has always been to help people.”
On her own mental health journey, the star said, “When I received my diagnosis for bipolar it changed everything for me. Everything I needed was about the knowledge that allowed me to get the right support. It meant that I could face my fears head on, just like my mom has always taught me. And it’s the start of a different kind of journey, but we all deserve support if and when we need it, no matter who we are.”
“I believe connection matters, and I’m here to be a voice for those who maybe don’t have one or don’t feel like they have one. I’m here to reflect the young people who reach out to me every single day and trust me with their truth,” Gomez continued. “Their love and devotion has completely helped me in my darkest moments, and for that I will always be in the debt for them, and I want to just do everything I can.”
Guests of the event included Gomez’s boyfriend Benny Blanco, Dave Burd (A.K.A. Lil Dicky), Wizards Beyond Waverly Place co-star David Henrie, Only Murders in the Building showrunner John Hoffman, Jeff Rosenthal, Dan Fogelman, Tay Lautner, Halston Sage and Justin Tranter. Karol G and Teddy Swims also closed out the night with performances.
“I want Rare to be a comfortable, safe place for people to find resources, to reach out to people if they need help,” Gomez told The Hollywood Reporter on the carpet of why the cause means so much to her. “I wanted to create some sort of space that doesn’t exist for our people, for everyone going through something. It’s one of the most beautiful gifts and rewards to be able to share and do anything we can.”
Anaja Smith contributed to this report.
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