Selena Gomez has joined a growing list of celebrities criticizing comedian Tony Hinchcliffe’s recent offensive comments about Puerto Rico, made during a rally at Madison Square Garden. Hinchcliffe’s remark, in which he called Puerto Rico a “floating island of garbage,” sparked widespread backlash, and Gomez, known for her Mexican heritage and strong cultural ties, was quick to add her voice.
In an interview with Variety, the 32-year-old actress and singer expressed her disapproval, saying she “strongly disagreed” with the comments. She added, “I definitely want to stand by my people.” The statement underscores Gomez’s commitment to supporting Hispanic and Latino communities, which she has been vocal about throughout her career.
On Monday, Gomez shared her enthusiasm for civic engagement by posting a video as she dropped her official election ballot in a mailbox before attending the premiere of Wizards Beyond Waverly Place in Los Angeles. She encouraged her 58.2 million TikTok followers with the caption, “IT’S TIME TO GO VOTE!!!” urging them to participate in the democratic process.
Other high-profile figures have also voiced their outrage over Hinchcliffe’s offensive joke, including Jennifer Lopez, Bad Bunny, and Ricky Martin. These stars condemned the comedian’s comments, which were part of his performance at a rally held by former President Donald Trump.
During the event, Hinchcliffe joked, “There’s literally a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean right now. I think it’s called Puerto Rico,” a line that drew laughter from the crowd but immediately stirred backlash online. Critics pointed out that his comments, which leaned heavily on racial stereotypes, were hurtful to the Puerto Rican community and Hispanic culture more broadly.
The reaction has been swift and intense, with many arguing that such remarks have no place in public discourse. For Gomez, Lopez, Bad Bunny, and Martin, speaking out against this kind of rhetoric is a means of standing in solidarity with Puerto Rican and Latino communities.
The incident highlights the influence celebrities like Gomez wield as advocates for marginalized communities and showcases the powerful role they can play in combating harmful stereotypes.