Selena Gomez’s fans are standing firmly by her side after she was criticized for the amount of money she gave to a homeless man. The incident happened outside Nobu Fifty-Seven in New York City, sparking a conversation about her generosity. However, Gomez’s loyal followers, the “Selenators,” were quick to push back against online critics.
On October 15, 2024, after dining at the upscale restaurant, Gomez was seen taking selfies with fans before noticing a homeless man nearby. Wanting to help, she asked her bodyguard for cash, as she had none on her, and he handed her $20, which she gave to the man, encouraging him to “have a good meal” as she left.
While many might see this as a kind gesture, a video of the moment posted by TMZ led to some backlash. Social media users criticized the $20 donation, with some commenting that it was minimal given her estimated wealth of over a billion dollars.
Online Backlash: “Only $20?” The reaction was quick, with a few commenters expressing disappointment over the amount. Some felt she could have given more considering her wealth, with one saying, “So much money and only $20?” and another adding, “That’s like a penny split into 100 parts for her.”
Others questioned if $20 could make much of a difference, stating, “Just $20? I mean, nice and generous gesture, but $20 these days doesn’t buy much.” The debate quickly spread online, dividing opinions over whether her donation was adequate.
Selenators Speak Out: Standing Up for Selena Selena’s fans defended her, highlighting that she acted on the spot with what was available. One fan joked, “I’m glad she asked her bodyguard if he had cash since I doubt the homeless guy had a credit card reader!” Others pointed out that many people, including Gomez, rely more on cards than cash these days. One fan challenged critics by asking, “Before y’all comment, how much did you give the homeless guy?” while another added, “She didn’t have cash, and her bodyguard had $20. A lot of us don’t carry cash anymore.”
For her supporters, it was unfair to scrutinize her every act of kindness based on her wealth. They praised her willingness to stop and help, regardless of the donation amount.
Despite her success, Gomez has remained grounded, focusing more on gratitude than wealth. She recently credited her fans for her brand’s success, saying, “They’re the ones that made this dream of mine come true. So I’m really, really honored and just happy.” She also finds discussing wealth “distasteful,” a sentiment aligning with her image of humility and empathy.
Celebrity charitable acts often attract disproportionate criticism, with people overlooking that small acts of kindness still matter. For Gomez, giving what she had was a better choice than ignoring someone in need, and her fans value her for her genuine kindness.
Selena Gomez has built a brand of authenticity and compassion, qualities her fans admire. This incident highlights how small acts of kindness can be unfairly judged but reminds us that every compassionate gesture, however modest, makes a difference.