Selena Gomez honours Martin Short’s late daughter with new award

Selena Gomez became emotional while honouring Katherine Short, the late daughter of her longtime co-star Martin Short, at the fourth annual Rare Impact Fund Benefit on October 14.

The singer and actress announced the creation of the Katherine Short Legacy Award in memory of Katherine, who died by suicide earlier this year at the age of 42. The new award will recognise individuals dedicated to supporting their communities and helping people through difficult times.

During the event, Gomez paid tribute to Katherine’s work as a social worker, highlighting her commitment to helping people facing personal challenges. She said the award would preserve Katherine’s legacy by recognising others who share her dedication to serving their communities.

Gomez later invited Martin Short onto the stage and described him as a longtime friend who deeply values his family.

Short, 76, thanked Gomez and praised her efforts to raise awareness and funding for mental health initiatives. Reflecting on the loss of his daughter, he described the past year as an extremely painful period for his family.

The comedian also spoke about the importance of treating mental health conditions with the same understanding and compassion given to physical illnesses. He referred to the death of his wife, Nancy Dolman, who died in 2010 after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

Short emphasised that mental illness should not be hidden or treated as a source of family embarrassment. He praised Gomez’s work for encouraging open conversations and helping people understand the importance of mental health support.

The Rare Impact Fund, established by Gomez, supports organisations and initiatives focused on youth mental health. The fund has raised more than $30 million to expand access to mental health resources and support young people.

The newly announced award adds another dimension to the initiative by recognising people who dedicate their lives to helping others. Through the honour, Gomez and Short paid tribute to Katherine’s professional commitment while drawing attention to the importance of compassion, community service and mental health awareness.