Selena Gomez with Justin Bieber

At 15, she grabbed headlines and teen hearts with the hit Disney series Wizards of Waverly Place, which marked her out as the hottest new face on the circuit after Miley Cyrus. After a flood of film and TV roles — in Another Cinderella Story, Princess Protection Program and Ramona and Beezus — she turned singer with Selena Gomez & The Scene, her teen pop band that rocked the US charts. Currently, the 18-year-old Texan has been making more news as teen sensation Justin Bieber’s girlfriend.

Out with her third album When The Sun Goes Down (Universal Music), Selena talks to t2 about her evolved sound, dating Justin Bieber and making her next career choice…

Congratulations on When The Sun Goes Down! Tell us about the album in terms of its theme, mood and sound.

It’s really fun. It’s very, very dancy. It still has the same kind of vibe that my second one did — it’s just that little bit better; I’m stepping up my game.

My Dilemma is one of my favourite songs. It’s like a pop-rock song; it’s very similar to the stuff in my first record actually. It’s about loving someone; you’re not really sure that person is the right one for you, still you just can’t help but be attracted to that person.

Then there is one called Hit The Lights that I love; it’s basically saying you can’t sit there and say I should have done this or I could have done that or my life would have been different if I’d just done that differently. It’s all about living in the moment and I love that song too, I think it’s a really powerful message.

Was it a conscious choice to bring in a changed sound in this album?

I worked with different producers for this record; some of them I had worked with on my first and second records. I had fun with both, because whenever I meet new producers they pull out different things in me that I didn’t know I could kind of portray in my music — thus the more evolved sound.

Is it true that the song Who Says counters negative reactions to your dating Justin Bieber?

My single Who Says is the most meaningful song I’ve ever recorded. For me what it means when I listen to it and I perform it, it just makes me feel more empowered. Just performing the message is so beautiful. I constantly feel not good enough, or I don’t feel I’m the best I could be; I have people criticising me or constantly trying to take me down, so I love songs like that.

It’s not a sad song, the message is powerful but it’s not slow, it’s upbeat and it makes you really happy. I am so excited that my fans can listen to the song. Since I can’t be with all my fans, I hope that if they have a bad day or if they have an incident that wasn’t the best, that song can be like a hug from me, ’cause it’s really one of my most meaningful ones.

Why did it take you so long to open up about your relationship with Justin Bieber?

Like I said, I try to stay as normal as possible and just be myself. Therefore I decided to open up a bit instead of all the running and hiding.

Who are your musical and acting influences?

I’m really fond of Rachel McAdams. She is very elegant and a fine actress. I also like (singer-songwriter) Adele; she is very talented.

Do you ever think about breaking out of the Disney and teen image?

I feel like I’m growing, changing and evolving.

You’re only 18 and already a big star. Does it ever get overwhelming?

It’s a weird lifestyle. But as far as my career is concerned, I love what I do. It feels great and I feel I’ve been very lucky. I love my fans, and everything I do is for them. They have always supported me and showered me with immense love. It’s the paparazzi however who make it difficult. I try to stay as normal as possible and be myself.

Who’s your critic and adviser?

My mom has always been there as far as my career and personal life are concerned.

If you were to make a choice between acting and singing...

I simply love both acting and singing, albeit for different reasons. However, I feel, in terms of a longer career span, most likely it would be acting.

What’s next on your wish list?

I wanted to make a Spanish record and I’m working on it.

Mohua Das

Is Selena set to be a bigger star than Justin? Tell t2@abp.in