Selena Gomez pushed back after her Knicks game comment sparked Taylor Swift speculation online. The singer’s “lol” reply under an MTV post featuring Swift and Mariska Hargitay led some fans to read shade into the moment. A new Instagram Story showed Gomez denying that claim directly. The backlash also grew after screenshots of her basketball text chain circulated, tying the Knicks game reaction to friend-group betting.
Selena Gomez shuts down claims she was shading Taylor Swift in new statement
As per Selena Gomez’s Instagram Story, the singer said she “woke up and was sent so many texts.” She then addressed the Swift rumor without leaving much space for interpretation. Gomez wrote, “I would never insult my friends nor was it an insult.” She added that the comment was “a reaction to the first slide on the page.” The MTV post showed Taylor Swift and Mariska Hargitay at Game 4. Mariska was visibly disappointed, while Swift was side-hugging her with a smile.
Meanwhile, the same story explained the Knicks game context behind Gomez’s reaction. She wrote, “Second I bet my friends on the game.” The singer said she lost, but was “poking at my opponents, my friends.” Gomez also wrote, “Believe it or not I do have other friends in my life.” Then, she pushed back at the assumptions around the post. She added, “also .. It’s a basketball game,” indicating to fans to take it easy and end the conspiratorial behaviour.
The backlash appeared to start after MTV’s Instagram post drew attention to Gomez’s comment. The post caption read, “TAYLOR & MARISKA,” while Selena Gomez replied, “lol.” The visible comment had 6,002 likes as of now. A fan X post later framed her response as a shutdown of claims she shaded the “Blank Space” singer.
The X post also included screenshots of Gomez’s Instagram Story and a text chain that appeared to back her explanation. The story was posted by Vanessa Tara, a close friend of the singer. In the chat screenshot, one message read, “Yall 10 point game !!!,” while another warned, “Do not move,” before the screenshot ended with “KNICKS IN 5!!!!!” Selena’s betting fiasco and Knicks game reaction moved from a quick comment into a larger friendship debate.
