Selena Gomez has opened up about her relationship with Justin Bieber, her friendship with Taylor Swift and her decision to take off her purity ring.
"It's difficult for people to separate us," the 23-year-old singer told Britain's Sunday Times about her relationship with Bieber. "The internet wants to freeze this moment in time and constantly repeat it."
The pair began dating in 2010 when Gomez was 18 and Bieber was just 16. Their relationship ended last year under the intense scrutiny of the public eye.
"I didn't think I was doing anything bad by falling in love," she said. "There's such an emphasis on people being the perfect thing and then destroying them because it's good press. Throw in the fact that you're a teenager – it makes it more difficult."
It was made even more difficult by the fact that, while dating Bieber she removed her purity ring, which symbolises the decision to remain a virgin until marriage.
The Heart Wants What it Wants singer asked her father for the ring when she was 13.
"I said, 'Dad, I want a promise ring'," she recalled. "He went to the church and got it blessed. He actually used me as an example for other kids. I'm going to keep my promise to myself, to my family and to God."
As she grew up and then met Bieber, she changed her mind.
"I'm not embarrassed to say that," Gomez said. "I'm also not embarrassed to say that the ring has come off. I got it when was I was 13 and I respect so much what it represented, but it isn't for everyone."
Although she was comfortable with her decision, she was not comfortable with the public backlash.
"Sometimes you have to lie to yourself to get through the criticism, and then you're in your closet crying," Gomez revealed. "It's been like that for me a couple of times, but I only want to learn from those things."
As she tried to navigate growing up in the public eye, the support of close friends, such as Taylor Swift, helped.
"I can count on one hand the people I could call and who would be there for me. Taylor is one of the greatest people," Gomez said. "When I split with my first boyfriend [Nick Jonas] and I was really sad about it, she flew into town with homemade cookies and a bunch of junk food."
Now, Gomez says she's ready to love again and is coming to terms with that love being public.
"The next relationship will be something dear to me," she said. "There is no way I will ever hide my life."
Fairfax Media
