Selena Gomez has kept it real over the past few months [1], speaking her mind and letting everyone know she's a woman ready to take the world. But that confidence [2] the "Hands to Myself" singer is oozing isn't new. Selena has been full of inspirational words since she was a young Disney star vlogging with BFF Demi Lovato [3], giving fans solid advice. Her self-awareness and insight are to be admired, and her strong words through the years will seriously make you love her even more. Scroll ahead to read just a few of her best quotes.
On Taking Risks
- "The older I've gotten, the more I've learned that I have to open myself up to all opportunities [4]. Maybe I'll get burned and not meet the right people, but I won't know until I do it."
- "I believe in second chances [5], but I don't believe in third or fourth chances."
- "I always tell people that if you have something you’re really passionate about, don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it [6]."
- "I definitely remind myself that I’m in control [7]. I feel like ultimately if I sit down and I think about a decision I need to make, it's really within myself. I make the decision. Everything goes through me."
On Self-Love
- "This is a very superficial job [8]. I sit in a chair for two hours and get hair and makeup done and talk about [myself] in interviews. That's a very vain thing to do. And I do get caught up in it sometimes."
- "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 [9]."
- "To me, beauty is confidence. I think I'm pretty confident in the decisions and the choices I make in my personal life and career, but the same time I also let my fans know that, just like them, I have insecurities [10]. I have moments when I don't feel good about myself. I think people can forget that, at the end of the day, I'm just a normal girl dealing with lots of the same issues as them."
- "I feel like I have been doing this for so long that people are like, 'Be yourself, be yourself,' and I'm still trying to figure out who that is. I know I'm not perfect [11], but I know that I have a lot of people that support me and love me. I don't want to let anyone down so I just try to be the best I can be."
- "I have my own definition of what I think is beautiful and sexy [12]. That's why, in the video [for "Good For You"], I didn't wear lingerie and I didn't have a guy in it. It's a woman in one of those raw, bare moments; she's vulnerable, and that's sexy."
On Friendship
- "If you have three people in your life that you can trust, you can consider yourself the luckiest person in the whole world [13]."
- "You are who you surround yourself with [14]. I know that's such a cliché quote, but it's true."
- "People are put into your life for reasons [15], for different reasons, and to teach you lessons."
- "Taylor makes me feel empowered, like I can trust new people. . . . The way she cares about women is so adamant. It's pulling me out of my shell."
On Love
- "Finding somebody is not my main focus [16]. I've dated people. I've been on a few dates, which is really exciting. But I've never wanted to get into anything serious, because I kind of did that. I have my guard up. I like to meet people in organic settings. Hanging out with a group of people and meeting through mutual people."
- "I hate [dating]. It's hard and I'm weirded out by the idea that a guy has googled me before we meet, and that has happened. I feel like I look 16 sometimes, which is a bummer because I would love to date older guys [17]."
- "I go on dates [18]. It’s not that difficult — I’m a nice young lady — but that’s not my focus. I’m really stoked about being with myself right now."
- "I didn't think I was doing anything bad by falling in love [19]. There's such an emphasis on people being the perfect thing and then destroying them because it's good press."
- "I said, 'Dad, I want a promise ring [20].' 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. I'm not embarrassed to say that. I'm also not embarrassed to say that the ring has come off."
- "The next relationship will be something dear to me [21]. There is no way I will ever hide my life."
On Fashion
- "I wore combat boots for two albums, then I went into more of the sparkle and glamour. The older that I’ve become, I’ve felt very connected to fashion [22], especially this past year working with [stylist] Kate Young and creating these relationships with people that I never had before."
- "If I could sum up my look in one word, I would hope that it would be sophisticated [23]."
- "I love Dior. I’ve been wearing some of the really beautiful structured pieces — I love a deep neck [24] and how it accentuates a woman in that area. And, of course, Louis Vuitton. I’ve honestly never met someone like Nicolas [Ghesquière]. He has a really fresh perspective on life in general."
- "[Fashion is] very addicting [25]. I have to admit, at first, it was really overwhelming and I would get stressed about putting things together. Now, it’s like trying to figure out a puzzle piece, and I love that . . . There are so many things that I don’t even know and would love to discover more about."