‘13 Reasons Why’ author reveals Selena Gomez’s secret act of kindness
Image: Facebook/@Selena Gomez
The hit Netflix show “13 Reasons Why”, which tackles the reasons behind a high school student’s suicide, is known to be singer-actress Selena Gomez’s passion project seven years in the making.
The show is based on a bestselling book by Jay Asher, whose work was published in 2007. In an interview with teen magazine J-14, he revealed that he had received several offers to turn the book into a TV show. However, it was only Selena Gomez and her mom Mandy Teefey who were able to convince him in the end.
“I met Selena and Mandy for dinner in Los Angeles, and we talked for hours. In that time, they gave me absolutely no reasons to say no. They understood the story exactly as I understood it,” he shared. Selena and her mom are both executive producers of the show.
Image: Facebook/@jayasherwriter
He also said that the 24-year-old star gave in to a favor without any publicity, or even his knowing.
He told Selena about a child who “absolutely adored” her and was confined in a hospital. The child wasn’t expected to live long. While Asher described Selena as “sweet, sensitive, and caring,” he didn’t expect her to pay a visit, because on top of her hectic schedule, the child was in another state.
So he was surprised when he received a call from his friend, a nurse at the hospital: “A short time later, my friend called to let me know Selena just left the hospital after spending some time there with her young fan. There was no press involved. In fact, she didn’t even tell me she was doing it because it wasn’t done for anyone but that one child.”
The show stars Katherine Langford, who plays suicidal teen Hannah Baker, and Dylan Minnette, who plays Clay Jansen, also had only kind words to say about their young producer in an Inquirer exclusive interview.
Minette shared, “[Selena] doesn’t necessarily like too much of the attention she’s getting, but she’s appreciative of her popularity—because she can use her position of influence for the better. She brings with it a sense of empowerment. She’s genuine, and she doesn’t take herself too seriously.”
Dylan Minnette, Selena Gomez, and Katherine Langford. Image: Screen grab via Instagram/@katherinelangford
“13 Reasons Why” has been greenlighted for a second season which will explore the lives of other central characters in the show. While the first season sparked controversy on its alleged glorified treatment of suicide, it also resonated with several people, especially the youth who believe more awareness is needed about bullying and mental health. Niña V. Guno/JB
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