Selena Gomez is under fire from some fans on social media after a video surfaced of her giving $20 to a homeless man in New York City on Tuesday, October 15. The gesture, which occurred outside the fine dining restaurant Nobu Fifty-Seven, was captured on video and shared by TMZ. In the clip, the 32-year-old singer-actress can be seen taking photos and signing autographs for fans before handing the man $20 and telling him to “have a good meal.”
The moment sparked controversy, particularly given Gomez’s recent entry into the billionaire club. According to Daily Mail, Gomez’s net worth surpassed $1.3 billion as of September 6, largely due to the success of her beauty brand, Rare Beauty.
Rare Beauty, launched in September 2020, has become a major hit, especially among influencers and Gen Z consumers. Gomez’s wealth has also been bolstered by her thriving entertainment career as both a Grammy-winning singer and actress, with notable roles in Disney’s Wizards of Waverly Place and Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building. Frequent brand partnerships and endorsements have further contributed to her fortune.
According to Bloomberg, approximately 81% of Gomez’s income comes from her stake in Rare Beauty, with 6.9% from endorsements and 4.8% from her touring efforts.
Despite her impressive wealth, many netizens took issue with Gomez’s $20 donation, calling it insufficient given the high cost of living in New York City. One user on X (formerly Twitter) remarked, “Should have given him at least a $50. $20 bucks is nothing nowadays in New York. Can’t even buy a pack of smokes and a tall boy beer for that anymore.”
However, not all reactions were critical. Some users defended Gomez, pointing out the common reliance on digital payments rather than cash. One person commented, “She didn’t have cash on her and her bodyguard had $20, which he gave the man. A lot of us don’t carry cash anymore. It’s all debit cards we carry now.”
While the online debate continues, Gomez’s gesture has prompted a wider discussion about the expectations placed on wealthy individuals when it comes to charitable acts. With her newfound billionaire status, some fans may expect more grand gestures of generosity, while others view her actions as kind, given the circumstances.
As the face of Rare Beauty and a globally recognized star, Selena Gomez remains in the spotlight for her actions both on and off the stage, and this incident adds to the ongoing discourse about fame, wealth, and social responsibility.