Selena Gomez has gone viral for looking particularly disapproving when Chris Brown's name was called out during the nomination announcement for the Best R&B category during the 2023 Video Music Awards on Tuesday evening.
While the 31-year-old won the ceremony's first Afrobeats Award alongside Rema for Calm Down, it was actually her reaction to the Under The Influence rapper's nomination that stole the show during the evening.
Tay's reaction shots never disappoint.
Chris was called out as a nominee for the Best R&B award for his collaboration with Chlöe on How Does It Feel, when the camera panned to the Only Murders in the Building star, who instantly made what appeared to be a visibly disgusted face. Selena was seen clapping, cheering, and being utterly supportive of the rest of the nominees.
While we can't be sure of the exact reason for the reaction by Selena, who has never publicly said anything negative about Chris, the 34-year-old rapper has been involved in a number of controversies over the years – including alleged violence, misogyny and assault.
Chris has been accused of violence towards women on a number of occasions, including being sentenced to five years probation and 180 days of community labour for physically assaulting then-girlfriend Rihanna in 2009.
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Nonetheless, Selena was applauded for her reaction to Chris online, with one person tweeting: "Selena Gomez's reaction to Chris Brown is SO FUNNY." Another noted: "She is there for vibes and to be real AF 😭😭 she does not care here for it." A third added: "Selena Gomez grimacing and not clapping when a Chris Brown song was said during the nominees… love her."
During all the online discussions about Selena's reaction, the star herself had her say in response to her post-VMAs viral status. In a post on her Instagram Story straight after the awards ceremony, she wrote: "I'll never be a meme again. I'd rather sit still than be dragged for being myself."
And in case you're wondering, the Moon Man for the Best R&B Video category went for SZA for Shirt, so we're glad Selena Gomez got to celebrate that!
See who took home a coveted Moon Person here.
