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Lupus

Selena Gomez Just Released a New Song, and Fans Think It's About Her Lupus Battle

Erin Migdol
 • 
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Selena Gomez released her latest single on Wednesday, and the title and lyrics have some fans wondering if it’s about her lupus battle.

The song is called “Wolves,” and features lyrics like “I’ve been running through the jungle /I’ve been running with the wolves /to get to you, to get to you.” The word “lupus” is the Latin word for “wolf.” It’s attributed to a 13th century physician named Rogerius, who used the word due to the facial lesions that can occur with lupus and are reminiscent of a wolf bite.

Gomez was diagnosed with lupus in 2013, and in September, she announced that she had undergone a kidney transplant due to her lupus.

“It was what I needed to do for my overall health. I honestly look forward to sharing with you, soon my journey through these past several months as I have always wanted to do with you,” she wrote on Instagram.

 

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I’m very aware some of my fans had noticed I was laying low for part of the summer and questioning why I wasn’t promoting my new music, which I was extremely proud of. So I found out I needed to get a kidney transplant due to my Lupus and was recovering. It was what I needed to do for my overall health. I honestly look forward to sharing with you, soon my journey through these past several months as I have always wanted to do with you. Until then I want to publicly thank my family and incredible team of doctors for everything they have done for me prior to and post-surgery. And finally, there aren’t words to describe how I can possibly thank my beautiful friend Francia Raisa. She gave me the ultimate gift and sacrifice by donating her kidney to me. I am incredibly blessed. I love you so much sis. Lupus continues to be very misunderstood but progress is being made. For more information regarding Lupus please go to the Lupus Research Alliance website: www.lupusresearch.org/ -by grace through faith

A post shared by Selena Gomez (@selenagomez) on

Some fans picked up on the connection between lupus and wolves, and wondered if the song represents Gomez’s battle with lupus.

Gomez herself hasn’t revealed much about the meaning behind the song, though she did share a short video on Twitter in which she explained how she worked with songwriter Andrew Watt and producer Marshmello to create the song.

“The song is very beautiful and personal and the lyrics have a whole story of its own. Weirdly at the same time I was working on it in Japan I was going through stuff too, so it’s mirrored everything,” she said.

Image via Creative Commons/jenniferlinneaphotography

Erin Migdol
 • 

Erin is the former senior editor and chronic illness editor of The Mighty. She joined The Mighty in 2015 and previously worked at Inside Weddings magazine, Mic, and The Huffington Post. She was also the features editor at The California Aggie, UC Davis' student newspaper. She is honored to be a part of the Mighty community!

erin-migdol
Originally published: October 26, 2017
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