When Selena Gomez introduced her beauty enterprise, Rare Beauty, she did so guided by a piece of timeless and empowering wisdom imparted by her longtime friend and globally renowned musician, Taylor Swift. Speaking at the esteemed Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit on a recent Wednesday, Gomez took a reflective moment to discuss the profound influence of her friendship with Swift and the ways in which the artist’s guidance has subtly but significantly molded her approach to leadership and brand management.
Gomez described Swift in glowing terms, calling her “one of the most brilliant people” she has ever encountered — a woman of unwavering focus who excels in her own domain and consistently offers insightful advice borne of experience and intellect. With characteristic humility, Gomez admitted that she is unsure what lasting contribution she herself has made to Swift’s life beyond simply being a steadfast and supportive friend. Yet one particular piece of advice, she explained, left a permanent mark and continues to shape her philosophy both personally and professionally. According to Gomez, Swift once shared an observation that became a guiding principle: if you ever find yourself as the most knowledgeable or capable person in a given room, that means it is time to seek a different environment — one that challenges you and encourages growth.
For Gomez, this inspired outlook helped determine how she would construct the community around her while running Rare Beauty. She emphasized that her company succeeds not merely because of her personal vision, but because she deliberately surrounds herself with an extraordinary team of individuals who believe in her mission and share an authentic commitment to the brand’s values. Within this collaborative environment, curiosity and learning are encouraged. Gomez explained that there is no such thing as a foolish or irrelevant question in her company; instead, the expectation is that everyone continues to grow, take risks, and confront the possibility of failure without fear. Learning, she suggested, is a continuous process that demands courage and humility in equal measure.
Reflecting on the earliest stages of her entrepreneurial journey, Gomez confessed that when she first established Rare Beauty, she sensed skepticism from the broader industry. Many people, she observed, harbored preconceived notions about what she was capable of achieving. To some, her identity as an entertainer and actress confined her to a narrow professional lane — one where expectations were already set and easily defined. Yet Gomez rejected those limitations. She explained that while others might expect her to simply “stay in her lane,” she views her purpose differently. Her mission, as she expressed with conviction, is to create meaningful change — and that conviction fuels her determination to keep moving forward regardless of doubt or resistance.
That sense of purpose has been validated by extraordinary results. In a report published in September 2024, Bloomberg revealed that Gomez’s net worth had surpassed the billion-dollar threshold, largely thanks to the continued success and growth of Rare Beauty. This milestone placed her among a very select group of living musicians who have reached billionaire status — a small and distinguished circle that includes such luminaries as Jay-Z, Bruce Springsteen, Rihanna, and, fittingly, her mentor and friend, Taylor Swift. According to Forbes, as of October, Swift’s own net worth was estimated at an impressive $1.6 billion, underscoring the profound achievements of both women in their respective fields of art and enterprise.
The enduring friendship between Gomez and Swift has been widely chronicled and celebrated by fans and the media alike. The two women first became acquainted as teenagers when they each dated a member of the Jonas Brothers, a coincidence that sparked an unexpected but lasting bond. As Gomez later remarked during an August conversation on the “Therapuss with Jake Shane” podcast, both artists like to joke that the only truly valuable thing they took from those youthful relationships was their enduring friendship with one another.
Though representatives for Gomez and Swift did not immediately respond to requests for further comment from Business Insider outside regular business hours, their story — one of mentorship, loyalty, and mutual respect — continues to serve as a compelling example of how creative collaboration and genuine connection can shape not only personal lives but also ambitious, world-changing ventures.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/selena-gomez-taylor-swift-business-advice-rare-beauty-billionaire-2025-10
