Zing Muse – Wondermind co-founder Mandy Teefey, Selena Gomez’s mother, denies workplace stimulant use amid claims of erratic behavior and IV infusions at office — full story.
New York — Mandy Teefey, the mother of pop star Selena Gomez and co-founder of mental wellness startup Wondermind, is making headlines amid serious allegations from former employees. According to an investigative report published by The Cut on September 3, unnamed staff accused Teefey of erratic behavior in the Wondermind offices, including allegedly inhaling a substance believed to be Ritalin, a prescription stimulant commonly used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy—but also abused psychologically.
Described by one employee as an “office drug den,” the workplace rumors also include reports of IV vitamin drips administered by rotating nurses. Some of these infusions reportedly contained Benadryl, which Teefey claimed was meant to treat lingering symptoms from a severe COVID-19-induced pneumonia in 2021. Employees said the IV treatments left her drowsy, and on one occasion, her youngest daughter even stayed overnight in the office, raising concerns.
Wondermind, launched in 2022 by Selena Gomez, Mandy Teefey, and entrepreneur Daniella Pierson, aimed to combine media, education, and introspection in a comprehensive mental health platform. Teefey served as co-founder and CEO.
In May of this year, Forbes reported that Wondermind had to lay off about 60% of its staff due to financial strain, with management citing a “pivot” phase.
Despite the mounting allegations, Teefey strongly denies ever using stimulants at the office. In an interview with Us Weekly, she described the claims as misrepresentations by disgruntled employees, emphasizing that her true mission was to support mental wellness professionals and users. “I founded Wondermind to help people struggling with mental health,” she stated. “It’s unfortunate that some unhappy staff have manufactured damaging and untrue stories about me.”
Mandy Teefey, born in 1976 in Texas, entered the entertainment industry as a young actress and producer. She gave birth to Selena at age 16 and raised her as a single mother following a divorce. Her long-standing influence on Selena’s career has been well documented, and the close mother-daughter bond remains central to their public persona.
Linda (People)
