New Delhi: Selena Gomez has come a long way from being the child star of Disney's 'Wizards of Waverly Place'. The 19-year-old, who is dating teen sensation Justin Bieber, just released an album and a movie but feels that she still has a lot of growing up to do.
The young star, who is part of a band called 'Selena Gomez and The Scene', recently won plaudits for her role of a mistaken socialite in 'Monte Carlo' and her second album 'When the Sun Goes Down' is already climbing the charts.
Admitting that child stars have extra pressure while growing up, Gomez says she takes one day at a time.
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"It's important for me to grow and evolve. I feel that I've done my best and that's how I am. What matters the most is that my family, friends and fans are proud of me. Even though I have finished with Disney channel, I cannot disown the fact that I may still have a younger generation looking up to me," Gomez told.
"I haven't accomplished that just yet. I'm still in the phase of transition," she adds.
Paparazzi is taking an interest in Gomez and her 17-year-old boyfriend but the singer-actress says her way of handling such things is to remain normal.
"I try not to hide or live my life as per what people say about me. I try my best to stay as normal as I can. There is pressure but I love my fans and everything I do is for them. It's the paparazzi that make it difficult," says Gomez when quizzed about the focus on her relationship.
Talking about her new album, which debuted at Number 4 on the Billboard 200 album chart in the US, Gomez says it is very empowering. The song 'Who Says' has already become a youth anthem and Gomez is particularly proud of the track.
"'Who Says' is very close to my heart and it's like a big anthem. It was Priscilla Renee who wrote the song. She told me the story behind the inspiration. It was around the time when Barack Obama was elected as the President. A little boy was asked what did Obama becoming President meant to him; he looked in the camera and said, 'that means I can be the president one day.'"
"I just felt like it was an empowering feeling. The message is powerful, the song is upbeat and it makes you really happy," says Gomez.
Talking about her movie, Gomez says she had fun playing both the characters in the movie, which marks a new beginning for her.
"It was fun. I think it was nice playing both characters. It is a little bit grown up than some of my previous work. Still I feel it's a movie that the younger as well as an older generation can watch."
