Selena Gomez addressed online speculation after a brief Instagram comment led some social media users to believe she was shading her longtime friend Taylor Swift. The confusion began when Gomez wrote “lol” under an MTV Instagram post that included photos from a June 10 Knicks game celebration. One image showed Swift cheering beside actress Mariska Hargitay, while another showed the two reacting excitedly during the matchup. Some users interpreted Gomez’s reaction as a subtle dig, but she later clarified that the comment was not directed at Swift and was simply a response to the first photo in the post.
On June 12, Gomez used her Instagram Stories to deny that she had insulted any of her friends. She explained that she was surprised by the number of messages she received after the comment drew attention online. Gomez said the reaction had been misunderstood and emphasized that she would “never insult” her friends. She also said her “lol” was meant for the first slide of the post, not Swift herself.
Gomez also addressed a separate Instagram Story she posted on June 10, when she wrote that she had “mad respect for the game,” congratulated those who “represent,” and added that it was funny how some people suddenly become fans. In her June 12 clarification, she explained that the message was part of a friendly bet involving the game and that she was teasing her opponents, not her friends. She also pushed back against assumptions about her personal life, saying people often forget she has other friends. She ended by noting that it was simply a basketball game.
Gomez and Swift have been close friends since 2008, when both were dating members of the Jonas Brothers. Over the years, the pair has frequently spoken warmly about their bond and continued support for each other. In a 2025 podcast appearance, Gomez said the best thing they got from those relationships was each other.
Their friendship remained visible in 2025 when Swift attended Gomez’s wedding to Benny Blanco. Swift later revealed on television that she deliberately avoided mentioning her own engagement to Travis Kelce during the celebration so as not to take attention away from Gomez. According to Swift, she made a conscious effort not to bring up the engagement and focused instead on Gomez’s special day.
The latest exchange highlighted both the scrutiny surrounding celebrity social media activity and the enduring closeness between Gomez and Swift. What appeared to be a possible slight turned out to be a misunderstanding, with Gomez making clear that her comment was lighthearted and not aimed at her longtime friend.
