LOS ANGELES, Oct 8 — Selena Gomez is finally opening up on why she shied away from the spotlight in early 2014: She was actually undergoing chemotherapy after being diagnosed with lupus.

The brave star opened up to Billboard magazine about her diagnosis saying that despite various speculation that it had to do with her break-up with Justin Bieber or addiction struggles, her time-off was actually a much-needed chance to deal with her illness.

“I was diagnosed with lupus, and I’ve been through chemotherapy. That’s what my break was really about. I could’ve had a stroke,” Selena revealed.

“I wanted so badly to say, ‘You guys have no idea. I’m in chemotherapy. You’re assholes’. I locked myself away until I was confident and comfortable again.”  

“I’m so f***ing nice to everybody, and everyone is so vile to me. I’ve been working since I was 7. I’ve been a UNICEF ambassador since I was 17. It’s so disappointing that I’ve become a tabloid story,” Selena further said.

The frustrations led to the creation of her new album, “Revival”, which she will tour for in the spring. “The hate motivated me,” she admitted.