Selena Gomez Talked About Her New Album and Struggles During Her Disney Channel Past

"All I would do is look at the flaws."

Selena Gomez is fresh off of Coachella and already preparing to make her debut at Cannes Film Festival, but she’s also taking time to look back on her Disney Channel days. During a recent appearance on Coach’s Dream It Real podcast, Selena opened up about stepping into the limelight at a young age, and the emotional hurdles that came with it.

“When I was younger, I was exposed to all of this [fame]. It was just all these pictures and all the things and all I would do is look at the flaws," she said. "It is hard. And I think that you kind of create this other persona of yourself." Selena shared that she has since dropped that persona in pursuit of finding her authentic self.

“I think there came a point in my life when I started not to care,” she said. “When I started going through these real, really difficult things, it just allowed me to have worth, to know that I’m worthy and that I am who I am. And who is that? And do I like that person? I think that it’s important for me. I don’t want to be anything that’s a show or a persona. I just don’t."

Selena also said her Disney Channel venture taught her "so much about being a role model.” She told the interviewer, “That was the first thing that I started so they were very apparent on being perfect, I guess, just making sure that you’re being a good influence on people. I’m grateful that I had that opportunity, because I understand what a platform means."

Now she's turning her life experiences into a new album, which she told Coach is coming out this year. "Working on this new record, I just wanted it to be me, all me," Selena said. "Every song is a story I’ve experienced."

Understandably, trying to find yourself at a young age is hard, even more when you’re in the spotlight. Selena took the opportunity to impart some wisdom to her young (and not so young) fans who might be having a hard time doing so.

"You’re enough. You’re absolutely enough. And if you deal with things that are really difficult, like family issues, or anxiety, depression, or substance issues, I just think that you’re never too far gone,” Selena advised. “I think every person is valuable and important and we are all equal and not to... I always feel like I get cheesy, but it’s genuinely from my heart. I care about the world, and the only message that I would say is that you’re enough... I spent years of my life trying to navigate who I am and overcome so many obstacles. So I don’t think it’s easy."

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