Selena Gomez opens up about why her voice sounds so different now after years of speculation

Selena Gomez has admitted that vaping over the years has permanently altered her voice.

The Only Murders in the Building star addressed long-running speculation about a noticeable change in her speaking and singing voice, revealing that it was due to vaping nicotine over the years.

"I’m not gonna be able to change my voice," Gomez said in an Instagram Stories video, adding: "I vaped nicotine a lot.

"It’s so stupid. It changed my voice," she continued. "So if you guys don’t like listening to my voice, that’s totally understandable. I don’t mind. Just don’t listen to it."

The 34-year-old went on to urge any of her followers who were thinking about vaping not to pick up the habit, adding: "Nicotine is so hard to quit, and I think I just wanted to say, if you’re going through it or if you’re even trying to vape, it’s just not worth it."

The singer addressed changes to her voice on Instagram (Emma McIntyre/FilmMagic)

Can vaping permanently alter your voice?

While it's not uncommon for your voice to change as you get older, fans of Gomez have fixated on changes to her vocals, with various compilation videos showing how the pitch and tone of the singer's voice have changed over the years.

Research on how vaping impacts your voice is still ongoing. However, there is evidence that smoking cigarettes does impact your voice, with studies suggesting that vaping acts in a similar manner, per the Centre for Vocal Health.

Human vocal cords are extremely delicate, meaning that the inhalation of hot smoke can lead to drying and swelling of the vocal folds.

When the vocal folds become swollen, dry, inflamed or irritated, your voice can become more hoarse and strained. VocalLab adds that long-term vape or cigarette use leads to an increased risk of nodules, polyps and cysts on the vocal cords.

This isn't the first time Gomez has spoken publicly about the noticeable change to her voice, with the 'Love You Like a Love Song' singer previously addressing the topic during an Instagram Live session last December.

"I’ve gotten this question a few times. The voice thing," she said. "My throat kind of swells inside sometimes. That’s all."

Vaping can lead to the drying and swelling of vocal folds (Getty Stock Images)

Gomez has also spoken publicly about her lupus diagnosis, a disease which can also impact the vocal cords.

According to Healthline, lupus flare-ups can cause vocal fatigue, hoarseness, altered vocal quality and reduced vocal intensity. Flare-ups can either be temporary or chronic depending on how often they occur and the severity, with severe inflammation leading to damage to the vocal cords and its surrounding structures.