Selena Gomez Says Vaping Changed Her Voice: What Doctors Want You to Know
Selena Gomez is opening up about why her voice sounds different, and she is using her own experience to warn fans about vaping.
The singer and "Only Murders in the Building" star, 34, said in a video posted to her Instagram Story over the weekend that vaping nicotine has permanently changed her voice, Fox News reported.
What Selena Gomez Said
"I'm not going to be able to change my voice," Gomez said. "I vaped nicotine, a lot."
She spoke directly to fans who might be tempted to try it. "If you're going through it, or if you are even trying to vape, it's just not worth it," she said.
Gomez also addressed people who have commented on how she sounds. "It's so stupid, and it's changed my voice, so if you guys don't like listening to my voice, that's totally understandable," she said, according to The A.V. Club.
The good news is that she has quit. She said she is "really excited because I stopped, and I just hope we can keep it up." She acknowledged that nicotine "is so hard to quit," but added, "It's really hard, but I know if you are going through something you can get through it too."
Fans have speculated about the change in her voice for years, with some pointing to her other health challenges. Gomez has been open about her lupus diagnosis and the kidney transplant she received in 2017. The star, who married Benny Blanco in September 2025, has also shared her mental health journey with fans, including in her 2022 documentary "My Mind & Me."
How Vaping Can Affect Your Voice
Your vocal cords sit right in the path of anything you breathe into your lungs, so whatever you inhale passes over them first.
"Any chemical that you inhale can lead to irritation, sore throat and increased mucus and cough," Dr. Candace Hrelec, an ear, nose and throat specialist and laryngologist, told the Cleveland Clinic.
That irritation can snowball. Coughing makes the vocal cords slam together, which adds more irritation and swelling. Over time, ongoing inflammation can lead to chronic laryngitis, which can cause hoarseness or even voice loss.
Research on vaping's long-term effects on the voice is still limited. "We don't know a lot of the chemicals that are in these products," Hrelec said, noting that vaping products are not well regulated.
The Bigger Health Risks of Vaping
Your voice is not the only thing at stake. According to the CDC, the aerosol from e-cigarettes can contain nicotine, cancer-causing chemicals, heavy metals such as nickel, tin and lead, and tiny particles that can be breathed deep into the lungs. Some flavorings contain diacetyl, a chemical linked to a serious lung disease.
The CDC notes that while vape aerosol generally has fewer harmful chemicals than cigarette smoke, that does not make it safe. A new review of more than 100 studies also found that nicotine vaping is likely to cause lung and oral cancer.
Nicotine is also highly addictive. With repeated use, the brain adapts to it, leading to cravings and the need for more to get the same effect. When people try to stop, they may face irritability, anxiety, trouble sleeping and trouble concentrating, though these symptoms fade over time.
Can Your Voice Recover?
For people who quit smoking, the voice can improve. "We usually see dramatic changes in just a few weeks," Hrelec said, though she added that "it may take months for vocal cord and larynx (voice box) irritation to get better." Staying hydrated and managing acid reflux and allergies can help.
If you notice voice changes that last more than three weeks, experts recommend seeing an ear, nose and throat doctor to have your vocal cords checked.
If you or someone you love wants to quit, free help is available by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
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