Is anyone paying attention to Selena Gomez? The star was scheduled to attend the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards on Tuesday, as she recently appeared in New York and Toronto, Canada, to promote Only Murders in the Building and Emilia Pérez, respectively We had hoped that she would appear in her little black dress again. But the rare beauty billionaire was nowhere to be seen after the red carpet ended. Gomez's absence was even more noticeable when Taylor Swift surprised everyone by showing up late. Perhaps she is engaged to her producer boyfriend, Benny Blanco.

Fans know they missed a great fashion moment: in 2023, the singer returned to the awards show for the first time since 2015. She walked the pink carpet in a red beaded halter gown with Oscar de la Renta floral appliqué and fringed hem. She paired it with super-strappy red heels, diamond flower earrings, a diamond double ring, and a matching bracelet. This passionate look was much aired when Gomez and her “Calm Down” collaborator Rema won the Best Afrobeats Award.

After the show, Gomez slipped into a bright purple corset mini dress and black pinwheels before heading to the after party. As a finishing touch, she wore a club-ready metallic fringe shoulder bag and a dainty chain necklace.

Seeing Gomez at the 2024 VMAs was reassuring for Gomez, who had mentioned many times over the years about the possibility of retiring from the music industry; in January 2024, she appeared on Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett's podcast ” In an interview on “SmartLess,” the “Single Soon” singer admitted that she was still thinking about it.

“I feel like I have another album in the works, but I'll probably choose acting,” she admitted when asked which passion she would prioritize if she had to choose between the two.

But it is hard to imagine the pop music landscape without Gomez. Let's hope we don't have to. It is better to miss one VMA than dozens of unreleased songs.