Fans across the world tuned in to the 2017 American Music Awards to witness Selena Gomez’s only televised performance of the year and her debut performance of her latest single, “Wolves.”
Her performance kicked off with Gomez lying atop a car, looking like she had just been in an accident. The scene was set with a forest background, a fog machine, and energetic dancers dressed as zombies pushing Gomez around on stage.
FREAKING OUT RIGHT NOW! @selenagomez is performing 'Wolves' LIVE for the first time EVER! #SELENAxAMAs pic.twitter.com/1MovIe05yu
— American Music Awards (@AMAs) November 20, 2017
https://www.instagram.com/p/BbszgU_jRsg/?taken-by=gomezupdates
While many fans were elated with her first performance since her kidney transplant early this summer, others have pointed out it appears that Gomez lip-synced. Viewers speculated that the foggy atmosphere and the fact that Gomez spent a lot of the performance with her hair over her face were intended to distract viewers from the lip syncing.
https://twitter.com/ainemartin13/status/932430350114021377
https://twitter.com/wineinbathtub13/status/932429207472394240
Fans—and haters—accused Gomez of doing the bare minimum.
Pink sang live while hanging off the side of an LA building while Selena Gomez crawled on and off a car while lip syncing. 🤷🏻♂️ #AMAs pic.twitter.com/IZAoZKXv61
— Michael (@7mseven) November 20, 2017
https://twitter.com/goldfatty/status/932425959957057537
https://twitter.com/JessW08/status/932426580042928133
But Selenators came to her defense, too, and pointed out that it was impressive Gomez showed up at all considering her recent kidney transplant and her ongoing battle with Lupus. There was a rumor, as well, that Gomez had a panic attack backstage which prompted producers to have her lip sync instead.
#AMAs Some people should actually read before they comment. Selena Gomez had a panic attack pre performance because she thought her singing wouldn't be good enough hence the lip syncing. Now leave her the fuck alone
— Somebody SAVE pop music please (@jaykay287) November 20, 2017
https://twitter.com/shadyarionly/status/932433967877443586
Complaining because Selena Gomez was lip syncing at the AMA’s well sorry but I’d like to see you do any better, she did absolutely amazing and looked stunning, I’m so proud that she even showed up after what she’s been through, grow up!!🙄😤
— NatashaMay_X (@natasha_may_22) November 20, 2017
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https://twitter.com/hollycstrain/status/932448891441688576
At press time, Gomez and the AMAs haven’t yet confirmed or denied the accusations. If the rumors are true, it wouldn’t be the first time Gomez sparked controversy over lip syncing—fans accused her of it back in 2015 at a Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show and in 2013 at the Jingle Ball.