Selena Gomez opens up about new music, friend Demi Lovato, and being over Justin Bieber

Selena Gomez returns to the media spotlight in an interview that touches on new music and a new way of life for the singer.

Selena Gomez has finally broken what seemed like endless months of silence from the usually talkative pop princess. In a new interview with Elle, Gomez opened up about topics ranging from her new music (we can’t wait) to Demi Lovato’s shocking overdose. Add in her volunteer work for a nonprofit that focuses on fighting human trafficking and her decision to exit Los Angeles, and you’ve got a fascinating look at an inspiring woman.

Selena Gomez talks new music

Sing out for this news: Gomez is just finishing up her newest album in the recording studio! The album follows her singles, such as “Back To You.” But when it comes to the album, the songstress has a surprise announcement: Don’t listen to her old music to prepare for her new.

Instead, Gomez promises that her new music is completely different, with a “funky” bass beat that showcases her new-found (and hard-won) confidence in herself. Beyond the melody, look for lyrics that reveal what Gomez has gone through in the past few years. Taylor Swift, known as Selena G’s BFF, is famous for putting her feelings into her music, and Gomez’s new album may follow in her bestie’s footsteps.

Say farewell to Jelena

It’s inevitable that any interview with Gomez at this point in her life circles back to Justin Bieber. The Biebs and Gomez had an on-again, off-again, on-again, off — well, you get the idea — romance starting in 2010, when they were spotted on a sort-of date at a Philadelphia IHOP.

So hey, Sel-Go,  what do you have to say about Justin now that he and Hailey Baldwin are engaged? She is answering through her music.

Gomez’s new album features songs about dropping a man by “cleaning my slate.” She croons that “without you, I don’t overthink it.”

And perhaps the most telling lyric of all when it comes to how Gomez feels about Bieber’s engagement: “I’m drunk and I might as well tell you, Get you ooh ooh ooh out of my head now.”

Gomez also seems to address Bieber with these lyrics: “Were my ambitions too high? Baby, you’re so distant. Why don’t you recognize I’m so rare?”

Reflecting on Demi Lovato’s overdose

Shocking, heartbreaking, and devastating — those are words many would use to describe Demi Lovato’s recent overdose.

Trying to talk about how she felt when she learned that Lovato had been rushed to the hospital after an overdose, Gomez struggles to find words to express her emotions.

“All I’m saying is, I reached out personally. I didn’t do a public thing,” said Gomez. “I didn’t want to. I… I love her. I’ve known her since I was seven. So… it’s… that’s what I’ll say.”

Giving back by volunteering for anti–human-trafficking nonprofit

Gomez has quietly become a volunteer for A21, an international global anti–human-trafficking nonprofit that has 14 global locations. As to why she waited to share her volunteer work, she explained that she “needed to be fully immersed” before discussing her commitment.

Gomez is opening up now because she wants to help others understand human trafficking. She was “flabbergasted” when she learned about the horrific experiences, including Thailand locales where young kids are sold like a product on menus.

Seeking simplicity

Gomez was just as under-the-radar with her move from Los Angeles to Orange County as she was with her volunteer work. She and one of her friends from Hillsong Church, Raquelle, are leaving there. Why leave La La Land?

“L.A.’s just gotten really claustrophobic for me. I can’t do any of the things I do here in L.A. It’s just impossible,” explained Gomez.

At this point in her life, she feels that “in a very good way,” her life is “being majorly downsized.”

The singer makes it clear that she has no regrets about the changes in her life.

“I’m going back to simplicity,” summed up Gomez. “I’m so happy I’m in this place.”