Freedom of Speech: an Overview

The First Amendment protects free speech but not absolutely. It primarily limits government regulation of private speech, not speech restrictions by private entities or government limitations on its own speech. When the government does regulate speech, courts may uphold the restriction if it’s supported by significant governmental interest and appropriately tailored. Evaluating if a law aligns with the Free Speech Clause involves considering the type of speech, the context, and the government’s interest, with varying degrees of scrutiny depending on the case.

 

Selena Gomez: an American Success Story

Texas born Selena Gomez, once a Disney Channel star, has since built a successful career as a Grammy-nominated musician, actress, and beauty entrepreneur. Now 32, she has reached a significant financial milestone, becoming one of the youngest self-made billionaires in the U.S., with a net worth of $1.3 billion.

While some of her wealth comes from singing, acting, and brand partnerships, the majority is attributed to her makeup line, Rare Beauty, which has gained popularity among influencers and teens since its launch five years ago. Bloomberg’s valuation includes Gomez’s stake in Rare Beauty, her involvement in the mental health platform Wondermind, and earnings from music, acting, and social media endorsements.

With 424 million Instagram followers, Gomez is the third most-followed person on the platform, behind soccer stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Her vast online presence has secured lucrative endorsement deals, including a $30 million contract with Puma and a $10 million deal with Coach.