Don’t believe everything you read on your feed. A bizarre rumor claiming that Selena Gomez is refusing to release new music until the United States ends its involvement in a war with Iran has been officially debunked. The story gained momentum across social media platforms this week, but investigators have traced the origin of the claim back to Daily Headlines 360, a website known for publishing satirical and AI-generated clickbait rather than factual reporting.

In reality, the Rare Beauty founder has been very open about her timeline for new music, and it has nothing to do with international foreign policy. During an appearance on the SmartLess podcast with Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett, Gomez admitted that she is increasingly leaning toward acting as her primary focus. She told the hosts, "I do feel like I have one more album in me, but I would probably choose acting," noting that the heavy workload of balancing both careers has taken a toll on her.

Gomez is currently keeping a packed schedule that explains her musical hiatus better than any conspiracy theory. She is currently starring in the hit Hulu series Only Murders in the Building and recently received critical acclaim for her role in the film Emilia Pérez. While she did release the upbeat single "Love On" on February 22, 2024, the singer has maintained that she is in no rush to complete a full-length follow-up to her 2020 album, Rare.