Selena Gomez spoke to Vulture ahead of the release of her Apple TV+ documentary My Mind and Me on Friday, discussing everything from how she sees herself now at this point in her mental health journey to her very brief thoughts on her viral photo reunion with Hailey Bieber, the wife of her ex-boyfriend, Justin Bieber.
When Vulture’s Rachel Handler asked Gomez about the photo and said, “I thought it was powerful of you guys to publicly say, ‘We’re moving on,'” Gomez responded briefly, saying, “Thank you.” Yes, it isn’t a big deal. It doesn’t even exist.”
Notably, Gomez revealed she’s living in New York City now (“I am so happy and lovely here in New York”) and that she does have new music in the works.
“I believe it transported me back in time.” What I watched in 2016, 2017, and 2018 — I can’t believe I was that girl. That makes me so sad. I’m grateful to be on the other side, but when I watched the first part of the film, for example, where I discuss my body—I don’t want to cry now, but I was furious with myself. I couldn’t believe how much I wanted to be. Which aren’t really possible unless you have a lot of money and are willing to spend it on yourself. It completely broke my heart. That’s not the impression I want to leave on anyone. I’m hoping not. As a result, watching it was both shocking and upsetting.”
“But I feel genuinely proud. I’ve had so many moments with people, real genuine moments, where women who are in their 40s tell me about their divorce or something they’re walking through. I can’t help but just love people for who they are, even when it’s frustrating and even maybe when I shouldn’t. I believe in people. Ultimately, I sacrificed my story—which I don’t mind, it’s just a little weird—I hope it has a bigger purpose and can carry on as a conversation for people.”
“I think it’s about discovering myself in my twenties; I had to do that in front of people, and I don’t know what else to do.” I believe Selena—and I’m sorry for talking about myself in the third person—doesn’t accurately reflect where I am now. I don’t want people to think I’ll be stuck in this sad-girl world forever. Because that is not the case. [Documentary director] Alek [Keshishian] has stated, and it is very true, that when people ask, ‘What happens at the end of the movie?’ I’m at the end of the movie right now. Living in New York and simply existing. All I want to do is that.”
She added, “I can now [separate myself from that fame persona]. Thank God I can. I am so happy and lovely here in New York. I love living with the older generation, so I’m on the Upper East Side. It’s very nice for that. I’m currently in a little cave and it’s so lovely and private.”
“We’ve actually been working for years on this new record, only because I want to be able to grow through my music. I am the person who’s terrified of what will happen once it’s out, so I want it to be really well done and representative of where I am. There is a bunch of fun stuff that I’m so eager to leak, if I’m being honest. I shall not. But I’m so excited. It’ll be fun and refreshing, I think.”
