Why Selena Gomez Says ‘Young Girls Need to See Themselves’ [Video]

Selena Gomez knows the importance of representation.

The multihyphenate, 32, was honored with the Equity in Entertainment Award at The Hollywood Reporter’s Women in Entertainment Gala, held at The Beverly Hills Hotel, on Wednesday, Dec. 4.

The outlet created this award in 2016 to recognize individuals who amplify the voices of underrepresented communities in the entertainment industry, according to its website. Another nominee of the event was Nicole Kidman, who received the Sherry Lansing Leadership Award.

While accepting her award, the Wizards of Waverly Place alum dedicated it to the “people who don’t have voices and have been overlooked, pushed aside, and most importantly have been disrespected.”

Speaking about what the award represents for her, she recalled a time when she was 15, filming a “kid show” and was approached by a young mother in the …