(Ellen von Unwerth/Glamour)While rumors swirl about her relationship status with Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez is focused on bigger and better things — like being named Glamour's 2012 Woman of the Year.
Earlier today, the magazine announced that the actress, who has been shooting the "Wizards of Waverly Place" reunion flick, tops their Women of the Year list, and will be featured on the cover of its December issue. In Gomez's interview, she talks about overcoming shyness, blocking out haters, her bestie Taylor Swift, and even The Biebs, who she may or may not be wearing matchy-matchy outfits with these days (ya know — the real sign of young coupledom).
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(Ellen von Unwerth/Glamour)Asked what her 15-year-old self would think of Selena at 20, the young Hollywood star said she would be impressed. "I was so scared and so shy back then," Gomez tells the magazine. "I mean, I grew up in one of the biggest high schools in the world, and that's the Disney Channel. Everybody was falling in love with each other or not liking each other, and it was exhausting … and I was the shy one in the corner." And now? "I'm so opinionated, and I don't have time for the cattiness. I have good people around me, and I'm glad I'm at the place I'm in. I wish I was there back then."
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Elaborating on her dislike of cattiness, Gomez, who will also soon be seen on the big screen in "Spring Breakers," says she's become masterful at tuning out her haters. "If I had let all of the negative stuff affect me, I don't think I would be satisfied with the person I am now," Gomez tells Glamour. "That's what I tell my fans: If you're miserable with everything going on in school, that is so not going to matter the moment you leave. My mom always told me, 'Just turn the other cheek and keep moving forward.' That's something I've always done, and now I look back and I have no regrets."
(Ellen von Unwerth/Glamour)The Texas native has learned quite a bit from her mother, Mandy Teefey, who had her when she was just 16 and struggled to make ends meet when Gomez was growing up. "I definitely didn't appreciate [my mother's struggle] when I was little. I was frustrated that my parents weren't together, and never saw the light at the end of the tunnel where my mom was working hard to provide a better life for me," says Gomez, whose extensive charity work — including her role as youngest-ever U.S. ambassador — was the reason Glamour named her Woman of the Year. She adds that going Hollywood at a young age was the best thing that could have happened to her. "I'm terrified of what I would have become if I'd stayed there," she said of the Lone Star State. "I'm sure I'd have two children by now. But I love the people, and I'm glad I grew up there. It's because of [my mom] that I can do things on my own. I like being professional. I like showing up on time. I like being good to people, and I know that I'm reflecting her at the end of the day."
Though her schedule keeps her busy, Gomez notes that texting helps her to keep in touch with both her pal Swift and her on-again/off-again beau Bieber. And sometimes she just hops on a flight to get her fix. "I actually did talk to Taylor last week, and we were like, 'I don't even remember the last time I saw you,' which is really unfortunate," Gomez shares. "But if it gets too dire, I fly to Taylor or I fly home or I fly to Justin."
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(Ellen von Unwerth/Glamour)As for the Beliebers, who would likely prefer their favorite heartthrob to be single, Gomez says she can relate to them. "I adore his fans," she tells the mag. "I would never, ever want to disrespect them. You know, I get it: I was obsessed with Jesse McCartney growing up! He was my world. My high school crush. So I respect it, and if anything, I admire it."
We'll have to stay tuned to see what happens between Gomez and Bieber as rumors are in overdrive that they've ended their relationship. Further fueling the fire? Gomez celebrated Halloween solo — and didn't don a couples costume. (Gasp!) Meanwhile, Bieber tweeted a photo of himself yesterday with the caption "Lingse" — which some of his observant fans (with too much time of their hands?) pointed out is an anagram of "single." He then deleted the pic, but posted another self-portrait which said, "Just me." Add that to the fact that he was photographed dining at Hooters this week, and you've got one heckuva of breakup story brewing — whether it's true or not.
For more of Gomez's interview, pick up the December issue of Glamour, on newsstands November 6.
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