Selena Gomez says nicotine vaping permanently altered her voice

Key points

• Gomez stated that vaping nicotine has permanently altered her voice, describing the habit as 'stupid.'
• She has recently quit vaping but acknowledges the difficulty of maintaining abstinence.
• Medical experts explain that hot, dry aerosol from vapes dries and inflates vocal tissues, causing hoarseness and strain.
• Gomez previously attributed vocal changes to throat swelling related to her lupus diagnosis in December 2025.
• Vaping is linked to lung injury, heart damage, and altered brain development in young people.

Background

Gomez has been open about her health struggles, including lupus and bipolar disorder. In December 2025, she told fans her throat swelling was causing vocal changes, attributing it to her autoimmune condition. This latest disclosure shifts the narrative to nicotine vaping as the primary cause of her vocal shift.

How outlets are covering it

The Los Angeles Times and Page Six focus on Gomez's personal admission and her warning to fans. TODAY.com adds medical context, citing otolaryngologists who explain how vaping dries out vocal folds and causes inflammation. All outlets agree on the permanence of the vocal change and the difficulty of quitting nicotine.

Why it matters

Gomez's disclosure highlights the long-term health risks of vaping, particularly for young adults. Her status as a public figure amplifies the message that vaping is not a safe alternative to smoking and can cause irreversible damage to professional voices.

What to watch

Gomez is focused on maintaining her abstinence from nicotine. Medical experts advise that persistent voice changes lasting more than a week should be evaluated by a specialist.