On October 17, 2024, internet users were divided over Selena Gomez’s act of giving a homeless man a $20 bill. Some criticized the actress for being stingy, while others defended her for her charitable action.

On the evening of October 13 (local time), Selena Gomez was seen leaving the upscale restaurant Nobu Fifty Seven in New York. The actress, born in 1992, attracted attention as she happily took photos and signed autographs for fans. She then handed a homeless man a $20 bill, saying, “Have a nice meal.”

This action sparked controversy on social media, with some viewers criticizing the former Disney star for giving such a small amount to a homeless person while having a net worth of over a billion dollars. They argued that $20 was insufficient, commenting, “She should have given him at least $50. $20 is nothing in New York today,” and “If she gave the man a million dollars, that amount would only be 1% of her total wealth.”

However, many people defended Selena Gomez. They argued that her gesture was commendable and not deserving of criticism. “She asked her bodyguard to give $20. She didn’t have cash on her; if she did, she would have given more,” one commenter stated. They also added, “People are judging too harshly. She did more than most by acknowledging him instead of ignoring him.”

On September 6, Rare Beauty, a brand founded by Selena in September 2020, has a valuation of over $1.3 billion, placing her on the list of billionaires. Rare Beauty accounts for approximately 81% of Selena’s income, along with 6.9% from advertising and 4.8% from touring.

While some anti-fans criticized Selena for being stingy, she also has made significant charitable contributions. In 2024, Rare Beauty relaunched the Make A Rare Impact campaign to honor World Mental Health Day (October 10), with 100% of sales from Rare Beauty in Sephora stores worldwide going directly to the fund.

“The fund aims to raise $100 million to expand mental health services for youth around the world. Let’s make a difference together!” the statement from Rare Beauty read.