For many years, Selena Gomez had to come up with a list of at least 13 reasons why she was dating a douchebag such as Justin Bieber.
No longer, however. The two have been apart for a very long time now.
But the singer has traded in that controversy for a scandal that centers on a Netflix series titled 13 Reasons Why, as she serves as a producer on the surprise smash hit.
13 Reasons Why is officially the most-Tweeted about series of 2017, with a second season very likely on the way.
It’s most popular among the same demographic that has supported Gomez for many years; that is, young and impressionable teenage girls.
And herein lies the problem, according to various mental health professionals.
The series tells the story of a high school sophomore named Hannah Baker.
We learn right away that she has committed suicide, while also having recorded a number of audio tapes that she’s handed out to those who she believes wronged her, contributing in some way to her fatal decision.
A handful of school districts around the country have sent letters home to parents, urging them to make sure their kids do not watch the show on their own.
At the same time, doctors and psychologists have taken 13 Reasons Why to task for its depiction of suicide, claiming the series glorifies the act and treats it as a form of revenge; as opposed to a serious mental health problem.
“We do not recommend that vulnerable youth, especially those who have any degree of suicidal ideation, watch this series,” The National Association of School Psychologists has said in a statement.
Those behind 13 Reasons Why have been forced to come to its defense, with lead writer Brian Yorkey saying the following:
“Many people are accusing the show of glamorizing suicide and I feel strongly – and I think everyone who made the show – feel very strongly that we did the exact opposite.
“What we did was portray suicide and we portrayed it as very ugly and very damaging.”
And now Gomez has also issued a response to the controversy.
“We stayed very true to the book and that’s initially what [author] Jay Asher created… a beautifully tragic, complicated yet suspenseful story, and I think that’s what we wanted to do,” the 24-year old told the Associated Press, over the weekend, referencing the 2007 novel on which the show is based.
She added:
“We wanted to do it justice and, yeah, [the backlash is] going to come no matter what. It’s not an easy subject to talk about, but I’m very fortunate with how it’s doing.”
Gomez does speak from some experience here.
She has battled mental health issues, even checking into rehab last fall for about five weeks.
“Overwhelmed with the response and love @13reasonswhy is receiving,” she wrote on Instagram earlier this month, adding:
“Thank you to each beautiful person who has watched and talked about the message of our show.”
Paris Jackson, however, is among the celebrities who are wary of teenagers watching 13 Reasons Why.
The daughter of Michael Jackson has attempted suicide on multiple occasions.
She recently wrote on Instagram that 13 Reasons Why is “an extremely triggering thing to watch” and warned viewers to “only watch this show with caution and keep in mind that it may put you in a dark place.”
That’s one thing on which every viewer can agree.
If you’re looking for a laugh or for a series that doesn’t leave a lasting impact, 13 Reasons Why is not for you.