Selena Gomez’s mother, Mandy Teefey, is pushing back against allegations made in a recent exposé.
The controversy began after The Cut published a story about Wondermind, the mental health media company co-founded by Selena, 33, and Mandy, 49. In the report, anonymous employees accused Mandy of using drugs in the workplace. One claim alleged she was seen snorting what appeared to be “a line of Ritalin” in her office. Others said she regularly received vitamin IV drips from different nurses, while another described her being given liquid Benadryl, a drug that can also act as a downer and hallucinogen when misused.
The piece noted that Mandy explained her treatments as necessary for “allergies and the aftermath of severe COVID and double pneumonia in late 2021.” Despite that, some employees claimed she often appeared “slow” or “drowsy” after the treatments.
Speaking directly to The Cut, Mandy denied the allegations outright. “I started Wondermind because I wanted to help people with mental illness,” she told the outlet. “It’s unfortunate that a few disgruntled employees with an ax to grind can spread lies about me and distort the truth. Even more disappointing that the media is willing to amplify their lies.”
When asked about the Ritalin claim, Mandy was emphatic. The accusation, she said, was “absolutely not” true.
The allegations come at a time when Wondermind has gained visibility for its efforts to destigmatize conversations about mental health. Selena and Mandy launched the company with the intention of creating a platform that merged resources, community, and dialogue. The story, however, cast a shadow over the company’s workplace culture, raising questions about its internal dynamics.
As of now, Selena has not publicly commented on the allegations involving her mother.
