Selena Gomez, a well-known singer and actress, is under fire after reports claimed her mental health company is struggling financially. The startup, Wondermind, reportedly owes money to its staff and has reduced employee health benefits. Many online users are now criticizing Selena, one of the wealthiest entertainers, especially after it was reported that her mother took a loan to cover some of the company’s debts.

Wondermind Faces Financial Struggles

According to Forbes, Wondermind, a mental health platform co-founded by Selena Gomez, is currently going through a financial crisis. The report stated that Gomez’s mother and Wondermind’s CEO, Mandy Teefey, is financially supporting the company. On Thursday, she reportedly told employees she had to take out a loan against her house to help settle the company’s debts. However, a source later told People that this information was false.

The report also said that employees received payment for one missed paycheck, but another one is still pending.

Company Responds to the Allegations

A Wondermind spokesperson responded to the report, saying the problem had been addressed. “Like many startups, Wondermind has been working through its own set of growing pains,” the spokesperson told Forbes in a written statement. They also said, “in the coming days we will be transitioning into a new chapter for Wondermind, and continuing our important work in mental fitness that helps hundreds of thousands of people.”

Fans Criticise Selena Online

Last year, Bloomberg listed Selena among the billionaires in entertainment, estimating her net worth at $1.3 billion. Other reports suggest her net worth is between $700 million and $1 billion. Given her wealth, many people online expressed anger over the startup’s inability to pay its staff.

One Reddit user commented, “Billionaires billionaring again.” Another said, “It's ridiculous Selena started this company and can't even be assed to meet or pay her employees or to do even basic promo for her own company. She is one of the richest people in America, this is unacceptable.”

Some criticized her for not actively supporting the company. One person wrote, “If she’s that invested in the charity she should just fund it. If she’s not then give the employees plenty of notice and wind it up. Not paying them is unacceptable.”