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Selena Gomez’s voice has noticeably changed over the years. Several natural and health-related factors could have contributed. The 33-year-old hasn’t addressed the vocal variation until now, but fans have weighed in for a long time. They’ve noticed that Gomez’s voice sounds nasally and slower. Now, the “Same Old Love” singer is finally explaining what happened… well, kind of.

Selena Gomez says ‘sometimes things happen’ regarding her voice sounding so different

During an Instagram live on Dec. 16, 2025, Gomez addressed fans’ curiosity about her voice change directly, getting candid about the realities of living with chronic illness in the public eye. “Yeah, I’ve gotten this question a few times,” she said while sitting in bed. “The voice thing. So, sometimes when I’m on… Nevermind. There’s no excuse. I don’t really care.”

It seemed like Gomez rethought what she was going to share with her 416 million Instagram followers. She continued, “I think my point is, sometimes things happen. I get weird. My throat kind of swells on the inside sometimes. That’s all.” She thanked her followers for “being real” with her on the live. “I appreciate it, though, for real,” she concluded.

Gomez seemed to pause before getting into specifics. But addressing the subject at all showed that Gomez acknowledges it. In the context of her health and age, a vocal change makes a lot of sense.

Aging and chronic health issues might affect Gomez’s voice

As people get older, their voices naturally evolve, as Harvard Health reports. Vocal timbre, pitch range, and speaking tones can shift from teenage years into adulthood, especially for someone who started performing as a child. This means Gomez’s voice today sounds different than her early recordings and interviews because she’s matured as a person.

One of the biggest explanations involves Selena’s ongoing health journey, particularly her battle with lupus. She’s been open about the chronic autoimmune disease since her diagnosis in 2015. Lupus can cause inflammation, including in the throat, which can alter how someone speaks or sings, reports Healthline. This was likely what Gomez referred to when she referenced throat swelling.

Medications used to treat lupus, like immunosuppressants and steroids, can have side effects that influence the voice indirectly through swelling, weight fluctuations, or changes in energy levels.

Singers and public figures who talk or perform frequently can also experience vocal fatigue over time. Lupus-related inflammation or repeated strain without consistent training and support could make Gomez’s voice sound different or more tired in some appearances.

Gomez’s voice sounds different than how it did when she was younger due to several factors, all working together for a rather dramatic result.

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