Thinking About Selena Gomez and Those Copying Claims
Have you ever really thought about Selena Gomez? She’s a massive star. Nobody doubts that part. She is a true powerhouse. Her work spans music and acting. But she faces lots of tough scrutiny too. People often accuse her of copying others. They say her style isn’t fully her own. How does she actually handle these kinds of comments? What can we honestly see about her originality? Honestly, it makes you really wonder.
We’re going to look into her responses. We will check out her artistic work. Let’s explore both sides of this big argument. Is she truly an original artist? We should explore Selena Gomez’s complex world. This includes some facts and personal stories. Let’s dive in.
What Does “Imitation” Even Mean Here?
So, let’s think about this for a second. What exactly does “imitation” mean in this context? It’s a pretty big deal in the music world. Artists almost always get ideas from others. This can feel like a friendly tribute sometimes. But here’s the thing. Sometimes, it feels like it crosses the line into copying. Selena Gomez faces this quite often. People compare her sounds to Taylor Swift. They also bring up Ariana Grande. And yes, Miley Cyrus comes up too. These comparisons happen very frequently.
She actually spoke about this openly. It was during a 2019 interview. Rolling Stone magazine spoke with her then. [https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/selena-gomez-rare-album-interview-934371/ Rolling Stone]. She told them, “I’m just trying to be my own person.” She added, “I’m not trying to be anyone else at all.” Her words show she knows about these persistent talks. She truly wants to walk her own path. But let’s look closer now, shall we? When did critics specifically say she borrowed too much from others?
Let’s Look at Specific Songs and Choices
Okay, let’s talk about the song “Bad Liar.” This track got a ton of flak. It came out back in 2017. The melody is incredibly catchy. It really takes you back to 70s pop music. Some listeners said it sounded a lot like Lorde. Others immediately thought of Carly Rae Jepsen. Critics felt its overall sound mirrored current pop trends closely. They definitely pointed this out loudly.
But here’s the interesting part, you know? “Bad Liar” actually did really well commercially. It reached number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It has gathered over 600 million streams on Spotify. Quite the sight, isn’t it? This success shows something pretty important. Lots and lots of people genuinely loved the song. Maybe that familiar sound actually helped fans connect with it faster.
Honestly, her choice to use this vintage vibe? It might not be simple copying. It could be a clear and respectful tribute. Perhaps she just genuinely likes that specific era of music. It seems to me that music is always constantly changing and evolving. Artists always build on older sounds. That’s just how things naturally move forward over time. Imagine a painter using classic techniques but creating something entirely new. It’s very similar in music, I believe.
The Journey of Selena Gomez as an Artist
Let’s take a look at Selena Gomez’s whole career path. We really need to see her entire journey. She began with the Disney Channel, right? Wizards of Waverly Place made her incredibly famous worldwide. That was way back in the early 2000s. Since then, she has changed so much. She’s tried tons of different music styles. She’s also taken on new and challenging acting roles. Quite a leap from Disney, really.
Her album Revival really showed this big change. It came out in 2015. It featured a much more grown-up and mature sound. This felt very different from her earlier songs for sure. Tracks like “Good for You” proved this point clearly. “Hands to Myself” did too, undeniably. They explored more personal and intimate ideas. They featured edgier and more complex themes. The album impressively hit number one on the Billboard 200 chart. It sold over 117,000 copies incredibly fast.
I believe her willingness to talk about important social issues is crucial. She does this openly in her music these days. She also talks about them very publicly. This truly shows genuine originality and bravery. Take “Lose You to Love Me” as an example. It’s a song about heartbreak and pain. It’s also about learning to accept yourself completely. Many fans felt that emotional connection incredibly deeply. That song even reached the number one spot on the charts. It became one of her absolute biggest hits. You just can’t call that kind of emotional depth simple copying, can you?
What Do Experts Think About Originality in Music?
Let’s get some expert thoughts on this topic now. This really helps us understand things much better. What do music professionals and experts say about originality? Music critic Rob Sheffield made a really strong point once. He said, “originality in pop is often a myth.” That’s a pretty bold statement to make.
In his book, “Love is a Mix Tape,” he clearly explains it. Most pop artists borrow ideas constantly. They heavily use their influences, of course. They skillfully create new sounds from older ones. It’s kind of like weaving a complex fabric of sound. So, maybe we shouldn’t just look for pure, untouched originality. We should really appreciate their unique mark instead. How do they add something new to the music world? That’s what truly matters in the end.
Think about this interesting study, too. The University of Southern California conducted it. They looked at over 400 popular hit songs. Their major finding? Ninety percent of hit songs share similar traits. They have many common things in their structure or sound. This means borrowing trends is completely normal practice. It’s often a very smart business plan, actually. Many successful artists use this exact approach.
Hearing the Critics’ Side of Things
But here’s the thing we must acknowledge. Critics definitely have some fair points to make. Selena Gomez faces some real and valid questions. Her sound often seems a bit too close sometimes. They say it mirrors her peers too obviously. Take “Come & Get It,” for instance. Some felt it sounded quite similar to Rihanna’s music style. Especially the production and overall vibe felt familiar. That’s a very common comment you hear.
Billboard magazine also had something important to say. Their report noted her undeniable string of hits. Yet, they stressed one key point strongly. Her artistic identity seems to get lost sometimes. It gets overshadowed by the styles of others, they felt. They felt she often plays it safe. She doesn’t always push new creative limits constantly. It makes you wonder if she could push more.
I believe we need to see these criticisms clearly. But we also need some context here. Pop music operates under its own specific rules. The industry often heavily pushes a certain popular sound. Artists like Selena might follow that trend. This helps them stay relevant and popular. It doesn’t automatically mean she’s not original at all. It just shows how incredibly tricky and complex this business is.
Looking Ahead: Future Trends for Gomez
So, what do we think is next for Selena Gomez? It’s honestly quite fun to think about. She keeps changing and evolving, even now. She works with many different kinds of artists. She’s trying out new music styles too. Her role in “Only Murders in the Building” helps immensely. It shows everyone she can act incredibly well. She’s strong in both music and movies, which is rare.
Honestly, I am excited about her creative future. Maybe she’ll really try more new sounds. It would be incredibly cool to see that happen. The music world loves blending different genres now. Look at amazing artists like Billie Eilish. Lizzo is doing it too. They constantly push creative boundaries fearlessly. If Selena does this more, wow. She could truly redefine herself completely. That might just silence some of those persistent critics for good.
Plus, her activism work is genuinely amazing. She talks about mental health very openly and honestly. Many artists are finally doing this important work now. They use their platform for good. This realness truly connects with fans on a deep level. It makes her art feel more authentic and true. It makes her feel much more relatable to people. Imagine how much positive impact that specific honesty has on so many lives.
Quick Answers and Busting Some Myths
Okay, let’s quickly clear up some common questions people have. Has Selena Gomez ever directly said she copies other artists? Not really, no. She knows influences exist in music. But her stated focus is finding her own unique voice. She consistently says she wants to be unique.
What about those specific songs? Were there actual copying claims made? Yes, some songs were specifically mentioned. “Bad Liar” was one example. “Come & Get It” was another prominent one. People felt they sounded simply too similar to other artists.
How do critics generally see her originality? They often acknowledge she has hits. That is absolutely true. But sometimes, they feel less fresh or innovative. Especially when compared to newer, boundary-pushing artists. It’s a very common point they raise frequently.
Wrapping It Up: Originality in Music Is Complex
So, what is the main takeaway here from all of this? The ongoing talk about Selena Gomez’s music. Is she original, or does she just copy others? It really shows how complex music creation truly is. Yes, some accusations might seem fair on the surface. But they often miss a really key point. Artistic creation is almost never simple or black and white. There are so many shades and nuances involved. I am happy to see Gomez grow and evolve as an artist. She connects with her fans on such a deep, authentic level. She truly reaches them emotionally.
As we move forward and listen, remember this point. The line between being inspired by someone and outright copying them can blur so easily. It’s not always perfectly clear where that line sits. So, let’s all make a conscious effort. Let’s try our best to appreciate all artists. Selena Gomez is definitely one of them. They give so much incredible creativity to music. It’s always changing and shifting, isn’t it? Imagine a world where we celebrate all kinds of creativity openly. We can acknowledge influences are real. We can also see and appreciate the new ideas artists bring. That would truly be wonderful, wouldn’t it? Let’s work together to appreciate artistry more.
