Billboard honored Selena Gomez with “Women of the Year” award

The Kill ‘Em with Kindness star was presented with the music magazine’s Women of the Year prize by her A Rainy Day in New York co-star Elle Fanning and her best friend, actress Francia Raisa, who donated a kidney to Selena over the summer (17) as the singer’s were failing due to her battle with autoimmune disease lupus.

Billboard honored her with “Women of the Year” award at the 2017.  It’s been quite a year for Selena Gomez’ from her new music to executive producing a hit Netflix series, to her health struggles and continued Instagram fame.  The pop star publicly confronted the ongoing anxiety and depression that were intertwined with lupus, the autoimmune disease she was diagnosed with in 2013.

The 25-year-old, who remained tearful throughout, thanked her family and her team for sticking with her through “hard times” and making her believe in her talent even when she doesn’t herself.

“I’ve never felt more proud to be a woman in this industry than I do today and that’s because I feel actually comfortable with every single woman that has encouraged me,” she said. “I am so grateful for all the older women who have lifted all of us up because I couldn’t be here without any of you. Thank you to all of you who have inspired so many girls who don’t feel like they have a voice. I’m very, very lucky. I love you guys.