In her adult career, Gomez has spoken candidly about the pressure she felt to be overly sexualized when transitioning out of her teen star years. Speaking on her 2015 album cover for Revival —where she posed semi-nude but artistically covered—she noted in later interviews that she felt immense pressure to show skin and "seemed more adult," admitting that it didn't truly reflect who she was at the time.

Gomez set the internet ablaze with a sultry shoot alongside her partner, Benny Blanco. The artistic spread featured edgy, high-fashion looks that pushed boundaries but was entirely separate from Playboy .

The controversy surrounding the feature also highlights the challenges faced by female celebrities, who are often subject to intense scrutiny and pressure to conform to certain standards of beauty and behavior. As a role model and influential figure, Gomez's decision to pose for Playboy sparked a necessary discussion about empowerment, autonomy, and the objectification of women in the media.