It’s time to cut through the noise and debunk one of the most disgusting conspiracy theories surrounding Barney & Friends star Selena Gomez.

From A-list celebrities to social media influencers, no one is immune to having their name dragged through the rumor mill, whether it’s due to their relationships, their habits, or their ‘connections’. Selena Gomez has been no stranger to the spotlight. But some rumors surrounding her, particularly involving Diddy, have gone beyond the ordinary chatter.

Selena Gomez in a still from Wizards of Waverly Place | Credits: Disney Channel

In 2019, Gomez, 32, made her long-awaited return to the American Music Awards red carpet after a two-year hiatus. But as always, when it comes to celebrities, things rarely stay simple. Not long after the photos & videos began to surface, rumors about her alleged connection to Diddy started circulating.

The gossip? Well, the theory suggested that, after attending one of Diddy’s parties, Gomez had gotten so drunk that she couldn’t even walk when it was time to hit the red carpet & AMA performance. The story quickly snowballed, with fans and critics alike trying to make sense of what they had seen—or thought they had seen.

Debunking the Selena Gomez-Diddy Party Rumors

Well, this is the entertainment industry, where one can never escape the spotlight—especially when you’re as beloved as Selena Gomez. The moment she stepped onto the American Music Awards red carpet in 2019 (see YouTube).

While most fans were busy celebrating her return after a two-year hiatus (see PEOPLE), others were quick to jump on the bandwagon of speculation, pointing fingers at her every move. One theory that gained traction online was that Gomez had suffered a panic attack before stepping onto the AMA stage (E! News).

The multi-talented pop star and actress faced immense pressure in the lead-up to her performance at the AMAs that year. In fact, she herself admitted that she was “putting a lot of pressure” on herself as she prepared to take the stage. According to E! News, the stress became so overwhelming that she experienced a panic attack before the performance.

Selena Gomez in a still from Selena + Chef | Credits: July Moon Productions

But the real spectacle unfolded when Gomez stepped onto the red carpet in a breathtaking green dress, sparking a flurry of speculation (see YouTube). Rumors quickly swirled that she was having difficulty walking, with some suggesting it was the result of Diddy’s alleged party. The speculation was wild, and frankly, out of hand.

However, fans, of course, were quick to debunk the rumors; let’s read a few comments (via YouTube):

Don’t spread hoax news! This is a video of Selena attending the 2019 American Music Awards.. -@nserahazel

Girl she was literally out of country that day,how could she attend that party? Stop spreading lies and I hope Selena sues you. -@lavanyasharma3854

She is struggling with her heels 👠 that’s it “STOP SPREADING FAKE NEWS. -@The_Guppy_World

Stop spreading lies! Leave Selena alone! Look for something else to do or show! Stop spreading hateful content! -@betadu6131

This is all lies, she is way younger than diddy friends, she was never there. -@zoesummer3646

Ergo, the conspiracy theory surrounding Gomez and Diddy’s alleged party was nothing more than hot air—a classic example of how quickly rumors can spiral out of control when there’s no real evidence to back them up.

Selena Gomez’s Awkward Encounter with Diddy?

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs in Monster’s Ball (2001) | Credit: Lionsgate

In her 2016 GQ interview, Selena Gomez recounted a particularly odd experience that happened during one of her early celebrity interactions. As she said, Diddy, the rapper who at the time was a fixture in the music industry, handed her his “valet ticket”.

At first, the interviewer was in disbelief, asking, “Wait, no, I don’t—why did he give you his valet ticket?” Gomez’s response was simple:

Because he thought I was the valet lady. 

As Gomez shared, she often struggled to “blend in with the celebrities”. Despite her undeniable success, including her celebrated run on Wizards of Waverly Place, it wasn’t always easy for the singer to shake off the feeling of being overlooked or misunderstood in the glamorous, competitive world of Hollywood.

And while Gomez may have faced an awkward and somewhat surprising moment with P. Diddy, her career and reputation are anything but small.