At 18, Selena Gomez is ready to leave the star-making Disney machine behind. In the June/July issue of Teen Vogue, Selena opens up about making the transition from lovable child star to a more mature actress, and recognizes that she'll have to start from the bottom up for audiences to take her seriously."I'm in a very crucial spot. It's like starting over," Selena says. "I was trying to explain it to one of my friends, and he said 'You'll be fine. People believe in you.' But when they're putting together a movie with Leonardo DiCaprio, I don't think they're going to go, 'Selena Gomez would be great for this!' I'm not an option. It's humbling, having to go from this Disney high back down to having to fight for roles."
She also comments on the strain of constant paparazzi presence, which is undoubtedly heightened now that it is confirmed she's dating fellow teen superstar Justin Bieber. In the magazine, the usually sweet Selena candidly admits she has no love for the photogs.
"A lot of times the paparazzi will try to use them [her fans]. They'll say 'Your fans want this.' And it's frustrating because my fans are amazing: They love me, they support me. And I do everything for them. But the press? They don't care about me. They just want something on me that they can use. They just want to get that shot."
Speaking of being the envy of teenage girls everywhere afflicted with Bieber Fever, she reveals that because of her young age, she is currently completely open to falling "head over heels" in love.
"...at this moment in my life, I'm at a point where I want to be in love, to give my all and fall head over heels. I'm 18. I'm not going to marry anybody I'm with and I know that. The next heartbreak I have, I'm sure I’ll be like, 'How can I live without this person?' But I'm still trying to dive in and enjoy it."
Selena's next big film is 'Monte Carlo', where she stars alongside Leighton Meester and Katie Cassidy. The film hits theaters July 1st.
