Selena Gomez Made Her White House Debut in a Sophisticated LBD

Selena Gomez made her White House debut in style when she attended a Mental Health Youth Action Forum on Wednesday, May 18, in Washington DC. Accompanied by FLOTUS Jill Biden, US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, and Ambassador Susan E. Rice, Gomez hosted an open conversation about youth mental health and her personal self-care journey. For the special occasion, the “Only Murders in the Building” star opted to wear a sleeveless shift dress adorned with diamond embellishments along the neckline and arm cutouts. She styled the look with strappy, pointed-toe heels in white and silver hoop earrings.

The LBD casts a simple yet refined silhouette, flaring out slightly around her mid-thigh to convey a sense of easy elegance. In keeping with the effortlessly chic theme, Gomez styled her hair into a sleek lob and rocked a rounded black manicure. In contrast, Dr. Biden arrived in a polished white pencil skirt paired with a pale blue button-front blazer.

During the forum, Gomez, who is a strong proponent of therapy and taking social media breaks for her mental health, explained that there’s an untapped power in discussing mental health as a community. “I heard a phrase, actually, recently, that I really like, which is mentionable becomes manageable,” she said. “Just to throw in a little bit of my journey, I felt like once I found out what was going on mentally, I found that there was more freedom for me to be OK with what I had because I was learning about it. Bringing attention to mental health through media, or just by talking about your own journeys can help. It sets the example that it’s a topic that can and should be discussed freely and without shame. That’s why an event like this, especially in a place like this, is so important.”

Gomez – who has openly commented on her personal experiences with depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder in the past – recently launched Wondermind, a platform intended to “destigmatise and democratise mental health.” “Mental health is very personal for me, and I hope that by using my platform to share my own story – and by working with incredible people like all of you, of course you, Dr. Murthy – I can help others feel less alone and find the help that they need, which is, honestly, all I want,” she continued during the forum. “That’s why my brand, Rare Beauty, and the Rare Impact Fund support organisations that expand access to mental health services and education for young people.”

See Gomez’s refined ensemble at the White House Mental Health Youth Action Forum ahead.