Selena Gomez Reacts to Her Viral MTV VMA Moments: ‘I Will Never Be a Meme Again’

Selena Gomez had several candid moments captured during the annual award show’s live broadcast.

Selena Gomez isn’t exactly thrilled that her reactions at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards turned into viral, memeable moments.

Sure, Taylor Swift might have been the queen of the VMAs, both for her historic wins and her candid audience moments, but Gomez also had her fair share viral reactions while attending the awards show.

The 31-year-old “Single Soon” singer was red hot in the crowd at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, rocking a plunging Oscar de la Renta gown.

In addition to posing with Swift, Gomez didn’t hold back her shock during Olivia Rodrigo’s opening number.

Johnny Nunez/Getty Images for MTV
In a recreation of her “Vampire” music video, Rodrigo staged a performance malfunction on the stage, but Gomez didn’t appear to be in on the stunt as the cameras caught her putting her hand to her face in shock as she watched the moment play out.

And that wasn’t Gomez’s last viral moment of the night. The Only Murders in the Building star was overjoyed when SZA won the Best R&B Video Award, flinging her arms in the air to cheer. She then began looking around the audience for the performer, only to show clear disappointment when it was announced that SZA couldn’t be there to accept the award.

And in perhaps her most viral moment, Gomez was seen pulling a face when singer Chris Brown’s nomination was announced, as she stopped clapping for the controversial performer.

After the iHeartRadioAU account posted Gomez’s reaction to Brown’s nomination, she commented on the Instagram post, writing, “Who cares lol.”

Gomez also took to her Instagram Story early Wednesday morning, responding to her audience moments going viral.

“I will never be a meme again,” she wrote in a message. “I’d rather sit still than be dragged for being myself. Much love.”

Selena Gomez/Instagram
It was a big night for Gomez, who won the Best Afrobeats Award alongside Rema for their song, “Calm Down.”

After a night of cheering for Swift’s record-setting wins, Gomez got the love returned to her by her A-list pal when she took the stage. Swift was seen jumping up and down with her arms in the air, praising her friend’s win.

Noam Galai/Getty Images for MTV
Check out ETonline.com for full coverage from this year’s VMAs, including the complete winners list.