Selena Gomez sounds different primarily due to health reasons, specifically her battle with lupus, a chronic autoimmune disorder. Lupus can affect the vocal cords and the cricoarytenoid joint in the throat, leading to a change in vocal quality such as a softer, raspier, or lower-pitched voice. Additionally, natural aging also contributes to the normal transformation of her voice over time. Fans and viewers have noticed how her voice has become more nasally and altered from her earlier years, but these changes are linked medically to her lupus condition combined with normal vocal evolution rather than just aging alone.
