Selena Gomez: 'I Know What It's Like To Be Judged' [WATCH]

By Kat Ernst kat.ernst@mstarsnews.com | Oct 22, 2014 11:00 PM EDT

A passionate and emotional speech was given by teen sensation Selena Gomez at the youth empowerment event, We Day Vancouver, on Wednesday (October 22).

Even as one of the most famous faces and loved celebrities, it does not mean it doesn't come without judgment and mistakes.

"When people look at me, they don't see a 22-year-old figuring it out as she goes. They see what they want to see," Gomez said in her speech to the audience.

"I know what it's like to be judged and to be put down. I know what it's like to have other people have opinions of you without knowing you," However letting that get to her? No way! "It would drive me crazy."

With nearly 24 million Twitter followers, more than 16 million Instagram followers and virtually 61 million Facebook fans, it's almost a necessary survival tool to weed out the negativity.

"I want to say you are not defined by an Instagram photo, by a like, by a comment. That does not define you," Gomez stated. "I want you guys to know that the trick is to focus on the love."

She continues to give encouragement to her fans and those in the midst of cyber-bullying.

"What I want you guys to do is, every rude comment, every person that tries to hurt you personally or though the internet, I want you to forgive them. Just forgive them."

Gomez deals with such stressors that are far beyond rude comments. In 2011 the LAPD's Threat Management Unit had to intervene regarding a death threat made by a stalker. "There is so much love in this world, and in this stadium. Do not limit yourself because of what others expect," Gomez said. "We all deserve more than we think, and in the end, nobody remembers those haters, the comments. Nobody remembers them. They're just background noise."

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