Selena Gomez Looked Really Scared When Olivia Rodrigo Suffered a Fake VMAs Malfunction—But Don't Try to Make It a Viral Meme
Poor Sel.
![Selena Gomez and Rema attend the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center on September 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MxKQPEky3n6yrVLPecC7aL-415-80.png)
Olivia Rodrigo staged a fake malfunction during her performance of "get him back" at the VMAs on Tuesday.
The audience had no idea that the audio bugging and the general chaos on stage was intentional—and even Selena Gomez fell for the subterfuge.
The "Calm Down" singer was filmed in the audience looking kinda terrified and shocked about what was happening on stage in front of her eyes, with many fans noticing the sweet/traumatizing moment.
"olivia rodrigo really traumatized selena gomez with her fake stage malfunction during her performance… selena ain’t ever going to an awards show again," one fan wrote on Twitter.
"olivia rodrigo about to give selena a heart attack i’m crying," quipped someone else.
A third person wrote, "selena was in DISTRESS thinking olivia was having an actual stage malfunction IM CRYING"
selena was in DISTRESS thinking olivia was having an actual stage malfunction IM CRYING pic.twitter.com/dKr7BPFyd4September 13, 2023
After the awards show, Gomez took to Instagram Stories to sum up the night, and—though we don't know whether she was referring to this moment specifically—she wrote a pretty telling warning to her fans.
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
"I will never be a meme again," Gomez said. "I'd rather sit still than be dragged for being myself. Much love"
This comes weeks after the Only Murders in the Building star became a meme because a photo of her wrapped up in a blanket and staring into the distance was shared online.
Though Gomez herself participated in that trend, she then became a meme again last week, so perhaps it's just all getting a bit old for her.
I guess it makes sense: If your face is always getting plastered everywhere, it might be tempting to, like, stop having facial expressions altogether. Still, I for one will be mourning the golden age of Selena Gomez memes.
Iris Goldsztajn is a London-based journalist, editor and author. She is the morning editor at Marie Claire, and her work has appeared in the likes of British Vogue, InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Refinery29 and SELF. Iris writes about everything from celebrity news and relationship advice to the pitfalls of diet culture and the joys of exercise. She has many opinions on Harry Styles, and can typically be found eating her body weight in cheap chocolate.
-
Zendaya Delivers a Podium-Worthy Pre-Olympics Gown
She's shining brighter than the City of Lights.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
'Love Island USA' Star Kenny Rodriguez Is Not "Playing Around" with His and JaNa Craig's Romance Outside of the Villa
The prince and princess of season 6 have remained the cutest couple since filming wrapped.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
So Many Celebrity Beauty Favorites Are in Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale
Shop Jennifer Lopez, Meghan Markle, and Kaia Gerber's beloved picks.
By Julia Marzovilla Published
-
Selena Gomez Opens Up on Female Friendship While Being Famous: “It’s a Cliché, but Girls are Mean”
She revealed in a wide-ranging interview what type of girlfriends she’s drawn to—and whether or not they’re celebrities, too.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Selena Gomez Says She’s Unsure If She’ll Ever Go On Tour Again, Calling the Experience “Very Emotionally Draining for Me”
Her last tour was eight years ago, when she embarked on 2016’s global “Revival” tour.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Selena Gomez Says She Won’t Let Fans’ Opinions of Benny Blanco Affect Her Relationship with Him
“I know what people can do to people I love.”
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Benny Blanco Says He Wants to Marry Selena Gomez and Start a Family, But “I Gotta Get My Act Together”
“I don’t know a world where it could be better than this.”
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Selena Gomez Explains Why She Finds Leaving Instagram "Rewarding"
"I was more present. I was happier."
By Meghan De Maria Published
-
Benny Blanco Says He Had a 'Clueless' Moment Realizing He Was in Love With Selena Gomez
The reference! The sweetness!
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Sabrina Carpenter Gets Real About "First Heartbreak" From 2 Years Ago
She didn't say who broke her heart, but clues could point to Joshua Bassett.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Selena Gomez Celebrates Boyfriend Benny Blanco's Birthday With Tear-Jerking Instagram Post
My heart!
By Iris Goldsztajn Published