Here’s a story from the National Enquirer that cracked me up a little. You may have heard this already, as I vaguely remember some gossip about it, but apparently little Disney star Selena Gomez, 18, has removed the “purity ring” she’s worn since she was 12 and her parents are freaking out about it. Gomez is of course presumed to be dating Canadian heartthrob Justin Bieber, 16. The two were photographed looking cuddly on a cruise ship in the Caribbean and tens of thousands of tweens around the world are now out for Gomez’s blood. She may have some more pressing worries at hand, if the Enquirer is to be believed:
Selena, 18, was recently photographed getting cozy with 16 year-old Justin in Miami and kissing him aboard a yacht off St. Lucia. The purity ring that she’s worn for six years – a symbol of her pledge to remain pure and celibate until marriage – was nowhere in sight.
“When the ring came off, Selena’s parents became unglued,” a family friend told The Enquirer.
“Selena got the ring at 12 and never took it off,” revealed the friend. “But when things started getting hot with Justin, suddenly she was wearing it less and less.
“Selena’s family thinks the world of Justin and isn’t opposed to them dating. But they’re very conservative people and they’d be heartsick if she did something with him that she’d later regret.
“The family has even gone as far as having people in her entourage report back to them when she spends time with Justin. Selena hates being spied on, and that’s pushing her away from her family.”
Ironically, Her mom Mandy Teefy became pregnant with Selena when she was only 15. She split with Selena’s biological father five years later and married Brian Teefy in 2006…
During all [her] outings with Justin, Selena [has] left the purity ring at home
[From The National Enquirer, print edition, January 24, 2011]
I hate to speculate on teenager’s sex lives, so let’s just give Selena the benefit of the doubt and say that she took off the ring because she outgrew it. For all we know she hasn’t gone further with Justin than making out. I’m sure her parents are telling that to themselves too. These kids need to get “the talk,” even if that ship has long since sailed.
I’m not sure if The Enquirer is right about this, though. I looked for photos of Selena with the purity ring, and the last photo I could find of her wearing a ring was in April. The ring has a little pearl on it and doesn’t look like the band they’re calling her purity ring. (Here’s a link to a video with photos of that particular ring.) She may have just taken it off because she was sick of wearing it.
In related news about these two, Bieber was rushed to the hospital in Burbank, California recently when he suffered an allergic reaction while on the set of CSI filming his guest spot. He was said to be having trouble breathing but has since fully recovered. He was treated for about 30 minutes and then released.
Photos below from WENN.com. Header photo from Fame and dated 12/18/10
Photo below is from 4/12/10. This is one of the last photos I can find of Selena with a ring, but it’s not the same one the Enquirer says is her purity ring.
On 4/13/10.
No ring on 10/18/10
You are far too generous CB. Look what happened to Carrie Underwood. America, wake up!!! You can not trust those Canadian heartthrobs. (But these two are as cute as cute gets).
What happened to Carrie? Besides the fact that she married a Canadian?
carrie underwood is perfectly FINE plus she marrid a very cute hockey player
true love waits indeed but what if u find it when you are 40 ? not all of us are lucky to live it soon , anyway if she is 18 and a virgin she has my respect , it must be a hard thing to keep in hollywood(virginity)
enough with that purity ring crap..you don’t need a ring to remind you to stay true to your believes and lets face it she is 18 she can do whatever she wants even the big bad sex thing..even with (dear god i can’t even finish the damn sentence without laughing)beiber 😆
WOW! She looks some much younger than 18!
Also I think most parents these days would be happy if their daughters waited until 18 to have sex!! LOL
Yeah.. you dont have to wear a ring to remember that you made a pledge…
She either will abide by it or she wont…. She is 18, she can make her own mind up now.
@Dorothy, exactly!! I’m hoping she didn’t lose her virginity with the biebs. And I love love her haircolor on the third pic – want it!!!
Since her mother had her at 15, she knows about the pitfalls of teen pregnancy and has/had fears that her child would go through the same thing. I can understand the over protectiveness (even if the mother had not been a teen mom) That said 18 is a good age to have a boyfriend
If she’s been wearing a ring on her finger since the age of 12 her finger would have fallen off, much like docking a lambs tail. Unless she hasn’t grown at.all…which, looking at the size of her, isn’t an impossibility
IDK, SHE knows that she made a pledge, but maybe it serves as a reminder to all the horny teenage boys not to waste their time?! Then again, she is cursed with being very pretty – being 6’1″ and homely was my purity ring…
Purity rings kind of gross me out. They’re like the modern version of displaying the bloody sheets the morning after.
As if a ring is going to keep an 18 year old’s panties on! When kids are still impressionable I guess it can work in theory but eventually…
Jessica Simpson would be a really good example of this.
i love selena she seems grounded enough to make the right choices, whether she has sex with jb or not.
i agree about parents being happy if they wait until 18 ahhaha i know very few who have nowadays
on a side note, america can keep justin bieber. canada does not want him back ahahah
Excuse me for my rant:
The hyper-sensitive purity ring attitude is going to end up backfiring in parents faces. You’re teaching your child shame about sex and creating an unrealistic standard. When these girls fall from “pure” they often go off the deep end, because no one has told them how to govern themselves in regard to sexual relationships. Or they get knocked up because they don’t get safe sex. (My ex’s family was like this and I saw it over and over.)
How about teaching your children to respect themselves and how to get their self worth beyond sex? Teach them to have high standards for themselves. Teach them about protection. They’re going to be less likely to engage in promiscuous sex if they understand all of the implications of sex.
A horrible thing I once heard a teenage boy say: give me a girl with a purity ring because once you get them going, they don’t know how to say no.
That girl has a ton of hair! Jealous…..
@Maud, I totally agree! I find it really creepy that young girls and boys are expected to publicly advertise their sexual “purity”. I don’t want ANYONE thinking about the condition of my child’s private parts.
Selena got the ring at 12 and never took it off,” revealed the friend. “But when things started getting hot with Justin, suddenly she was wearing it less and less.
Seriously?? “Hot” with JB… hahahahaha rotflmao..
I hate the notion that your daughter’s “purity” is somehow the most important thing about her. Boo! Hiss!
Parents whose deluded idea of a sex talk is purity ring and Abstainence Only Education usually end up grandparents Ask Sarah Palin. Hope for the best but prepare for the worst. The statistics show that teenage pregnancy went up during the Bush years.
@mln76 — I know, right? It is one thing to scare your kids off illegal drugs (I don’t want mine taking them ever, just to stay clear of the law). But your kids will SOMEDAY have sex, unless something really goes wrong with their lives. So you have to tell them something about sex that makes sense for when they ARE sexually active. Because someday they will be!
I definitly second all the posts about this purity ring crap-it is creepy and belongs right up there with these abstinence programs -like we’re all supposed to live some creepy fundementalist christian existence…
Teach your kids about protection and make sure girls particularly do not feel pressured to have sex too early on… oh and in the meantime get the girls on the pill and give the boys condoms…
Yeah Roma………… Preach!
If her parents aren’t careful, she will fire them. haha! It is Selena generating the income, not them.
I am still baffled by the whole public annoucement of the “purity” pledge. Then placing a ring on a girl, by her father, to be forever marked. As his virginal daughter.
Just remember, Jessica Simpson was one of those girls. Whose creepy Father gave her the purity ring that she wore, till she married Nick.
Why lose it to the Bieb? Disturbing.
Ew! I’d never heard the part about fathers ceremonially giving the rings to their daughters. That is just ANOTHER layer of creepy added on.
First of all Selena is 18. If only today’s young people waited until they were 18 before having sex I think we’d all be better off.
Second, I really, really, really hope Selena isn’t doing the horizontal mambo with that Justin. I mean look at that picture of them–two skinny kids and I always wondered whether Justin is male or female 😛 but it’s not sexy AT ALL.
Lastly, purity rings are so lame. It’s like chastity belts, except public. And quite the hypocritical way as we all learned from past “virgins” like Britney Spears, Carrie Underwood, Justin Timberlake, the Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus, Jessica Simpson, etc.
@fabgrrl I’ll raise that “Ew” and double it!
Purity rings are so creepy, and #10 is right, it is the equivalent of displaying the bloody sheet the night of the wedding. Such an intrusion and exploitation of the a girl/woman’s private sexuality – how is this the world’s business? Very disturbing.
Roma, keep on preachin’!
Texasmom, totally agree as well.
I think masturbation needs to be encouraged more, if one learns to pleasure themselves….or is that against purity too?
BARNEY WOULD NOT APPROVE!!!
Yeah, because we all know wearing a ring means your panties never come off. Ugh. It’s her choice, not her parents ultimately. I have a 17 year old daughter, I can’t control what she does. I can only give her good solid information and guide her as best as I can.
I agree with everything stated. It is so intrusive, and it really doesn’t teach them anything about themselves, or their connection with their parents? Gross.
And as for Jessica Simpson, weren’t there rumors that while she was a ‘virgin’ till marriage, she did engage in a loophole through the back door? I swear I read this before!
I’ve read that chastity belts were less about controlling women’s raging lust and more about preventing rape.
I’m 23 and a virgin (on all counts) by choice. I wore a promise ring (purity ring) for YEARS. I wear it now occasionally, but I just got sick of wearing it. Morals never changed, just wanted to give the finger a break lol.
Selena’s a smart girl. I understand her parent’s trepidation, especially since they’re obviously aware of what can happen, but I think she definitely deserves the benefit of the doubt. Probably just didn’t feel like wearing it.
If she seduced the girly boy, wouldn’t that be statutory rape? Not that it’s going to happen….
I think it’s customary to wear a purity ring on your left ring finger, because it’s akin to a wedding vow. Except you’re promising God and/or your biological father that you will stay pure until marriage. To which I say, vomit. My dad doesn’t need to know anything about my sex life, thankyouverymuch, & I think it would be gross & disturbing if he were that involved in my personal life. Plus now all of her understanding about sex and men and her worth as a woman are now all tied in with this culture of shame.
Anyway end of rant, the point was that idk if that ring pictured is an actual purity ring, because of the hand it is on. But I think that’s a personal decision, so maybe she’s just rocking a unique look like the Biebs & his hair?
“But they’re very conservative people and they’d be heartsick if she did something with him that she’d later regret.”
Because she couldn’t possibly be empowered and ENJOY her sexuality??
I started having sex when I was 16 and I have no regrets. I have a very healthy love life. Shocking.
I have always used protection because my teachers and parents weren’t deluded enough to think I’d wait until marriage (which will not happen before age 27) to embrace the fact that I am a sexual being.
Also, it is ridiculous to make a 12 year old make a promise like that. Of course she was all gung ho at the time, she was TWELVE. She probably hadn’t even hit puberty! Silly rings mean nothing when hormones are raging through your body.
And the fact that her PARENTS made her sex life public in giving her that ring has really backfired, because now (clearly) the media feels they have the right to speculate on it. If her parents hadn’t made such a big deal out of her virginity, would we be discussing it in such an in depth way? I think not. It’s really great to know you’ve reduced your daughter to a discussion about what her vagina is doing. Bravo parents. You must be so proud of yourselves.
I don’t care if she wears a purity ring or not. I just hope she doesn’t turn into a skanky fool like Miley Cyrus cause my little girl would be heartbroken. It would be nice if one of these Disney Divas realized they have LOTS of girls looking up to them and behave accordingly. Leave the private life private.
Purity ring? What a load of chovinistic crap
must be from her hispanic macho dad
and I am not being racist, I am chilean my self so I know first hand how chovinistic hispanic men can be
“I find it really creepy that young girls and boys are expected to publicly advertise their sexual “purity”. I don’t want ANYONE thinking about the condition of my child’s private parts.”
Amen, fabgrrl!
What about the fact that this young woman is 18 and messing around with a minor? They’d better not be having sex – otherwise she could be charged with statutory rape. The whole world is watching them – someone other than his guardians could ask the police to investigate.
If he were 18 and she was 16, there’d be a lot more scrutiny. Maybe because he’s a multi millionaire and his mom’s on his payroll, she’s looking the other way. Hollywierd is one messed up culture. If that were my son, it would not be okay!
I don’t think it is a big deal. her ring(not her purity) is either lost or it got stolen, and she is not telling anyone(maybe it was expensive) cause, I noticed she stopped wearing it after her london tour in september. I still think she is a pure girl, Selena is not that kind of girl. She still is sweet and although I don’t know her at all she seems to make the right choices in life.
#39, I think purity rings are more closely associated with Evangelicals, who overall tend to be white. Not that it matters who does it, it is still SO creepy and just “ugh”. They even have purity balls (dances).
corina/shannon: co-sign each and every word you said!
megatrona: i am puerto rican and i *almost* agree with your statement… yeah it may seem that all hispanic men are chauvinistic but in my experience: i have actually known many that arent and let their women rule, specifically the men in my quite large, extended family… very strong men, some policemen, army/navy men, maybe a marine or two, but when it comes to their women, my aunts/cousins/grandmothers/mother, the WOMEN RULE in most instances… [we had one incident with a old, macho-type but we outlived him and his ridiculousness 🙂 ]
Maybe she is not wearing in rings in hopes that Justin will buy her a promise ring! All I remember all the girls in High School that got those. They usually had the tiniest dimond ever because the poor guy couldn’t afford anything more….Don’t remember any of those promises lasting 🙂
Roma, that last part of your post about the guy’s comment is very disturbing. It makes me sad.
I thought that having sex with a 16 year old is statutory rape..
@WhyNeedYouKnow — I think it isn’t any of our business whether or not Selena has had sex or not, that’s part of why the rings creep me out. Another part is that it then turns sex into something dirty and “impure” (a nice message for all the mothers of the world! we’re impure!). And why can’t Selena Gomez STILL be a “sweet girl” even if she has had sex? (Not that she has, none of my business.)
PS I think abstinence is an ok message for teenage girls, I think they need to know that they don’t have to do anything sexual until THEY feel ready to do it, “NO thanks” is a fine option. But let’s not make sex into something dirty and shameful and scary. It is something deeply human, quite nice, and INTENSELY PRIVATE.
“I don’t care if she wears a purity ring or not. I just hope she doesn’t turn into a skanky fool like Miley Cyrus cause my little girl would be heartbroken. It would be nice if one of these Disney Divas realized they have LOTS of girls looking up to them and behave accordingly. Leave the private life private.”–> amen to that!! I hate Miley Cyrus and I don’t want Selena to become like her…
you go Bieb…. good for him…he is bangin his way into amurica bwaaaahaahaha.
Oh Canada!!! Go canada
You’re right texasmom. Mybad. The fact that she wore the ring, was a bad idea, cause she is exposing her personal life to people, and it is non of our business. It was non my business, i was just trying to give her the benfit of doubt by giving a few suggestions. But even reading my comment, I should have been more clear. But even if she is impure, she is a very good actress/singer and a “sweet girl”. Beside we should not look at these celebs for their personality, but how they do what they do.
I am probably older than Selena’s parents! Selena is a beautiful girl! Hopefully she is smart when it comes to the use of contraception. Hopefully she is has thought it through (and I think she has) and is sure this is what she really wants to do. It’s time for the parents to let go- or (past) time to have the talk about contraception. They don’t even have to agree with her decision. They just need to trust her, and let go.
ALSO, Bieber fans, LEAVE HER ALONE! I hope you get in trouble for threatening Selena!!
She has a tiny, scrunched face. Like a button. I don’t find her attractive at all in an adult way. She looks like one of those Bratz dolls. Kind of pretty in an alien way but not attractive.
Though, Justin Bieb ain’t all that hot himself. I suppose they have to settle for middling levels of hotness in their S/O’s.
Her mum had her when she was 15? I hope she’s made sure her daughter’s had a better sex education than she did.
Because Britney’s sex life or lack thereof being made public worked out so well for her…
You people make me sick! Selena hasn’t worn her purity ring in over a year she is not even in a relationship with him they are just friends and as far as the picture of them “kissing” it’s photoshop garbage get a life and stop talking about Selena!
I wrote this whole long diatribe that I’m too tired to reproduce so I’ll just say…
@ WhyNeedYouKnow
“But even if she is impure, she is a very good actress/singer and a “sweet girl”.:
Be careful there. This “purity” complex is sooo Age in Pisces. Let’s move on, shall we? It really shouldn’t be applied to sex. Ever. It always make sex feel “dirty” and what a miscarriage of the wisdom of natural processes. If anything has been “defiled” it’s sex by various religious structures that have seeked to control people’s sexuality. It’s time to kick fundamental religious thought out of the bedroom.
Lissen here is the deal…she is 18 ,he is 16…in the usa its agaist the law..but they know better anyways …so relax..we don’t mind losing our canadian boy to a good girl like selena….they are perfect together and hope they take there time and wait..
@Shannon (#37)- I cosign with *every* word of your post.
@WhyNeedYouNow (#42)- Why does her being sexually active make her ‘impure’?
@jc126 (#43)- UGH, the purity balls. That’s the height of creepiness. Fathers taking their little girls to a dance (where their mothers aren’t allowed to attend) so they can pledge to ‘protect’ their daughter’s virginity…
Asking a child to make such a promise, to vow to GOD in front of your family that you aren’t going to do something… The youngest girls who go to those balls are 5yrs old, they don’t even know what they’re promising. All they know is that they get to put on a pretty dress & dance with daddy.
It’s unrealistic, unfair & creepy. What happens when their hormones take over? Telling your parents something, & making a vow to GOD are totally different things. They feel shame & guilt, associating sex with being dirty, & disappointing their parents, future husband, & GOD. (Notice how the balls are all ‘father/daughter’, and not father/son?)
All goes back to the chauvinistic mindset of a girl belonging to her father, until a guy comes & asks (THE FATHER) if he can marry her, thus she becomes HIS property.
This shit pisses me off beyond comprehension.
@Sel G Fan (#56)- Sounds to me like you’re the one who needs to ‘get a life. Unless you are Selena, you’re talking out of your ass just like everyone else.
@roy vaters (#58)- I think Justin’s parents would have to file a complaint for the authorities to investigate. I know in some states, the age of consent is 16. I highly doubt they’ll get into any trouble for having a physical relationship. I can’t see his parents making a complaint.
I know that justin And selena will not do anything until there in there twentys Android married then they can have sex.because they are virgins i hope.
omg that did not happen ask my friends mom mrs gomez yep i know selena gomez and her familey yep that’s me so if u want to meet gomez she lives in tennesee so i live in new york so bye
I think that Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber do not make a great couple because what if she got pregnant on accident by him.
It is not our fault that Selena forgot the meaning of PURE CHRISTIANITY when she met justin bieber. good bye mrs. virgin
@Roma
Very smart of you to say.
I’m in complete agreement…. I’m 20, an its kinda funny cuz my bday is the same as Selena’s. haha
Anywho!!! I had a purity ring that my parents had given me when I was 13 an I took it thinking it was pretty an that guys were icky. When I turned 16 It started to irritate me wearing it alllllll the time. So I quit wearing it so much but I didn’t have sex! An not that it was anyone’s business anyway. It was awful of my parents to do an I rebelled against it by moving out when I was 17. I couldn’t take their heavy pressure on keeping me pure an innocent in every measure.