Selena Gomez in Monte Carlo
19-year-old Selena Gomez plays Grace AND Cordelia in the new movie Monte Carlo (rated PG).
Q: This movie is about having your dream come true. Her dream is to go to Paris. Was becoming a teenage idol part of your dream in your life? How was it to play two people in one movie?
Q: What was your favorite spot that you visited in Monte Carlo and why?
Selena: We got to stay at the actual hotel that you see in the movie which was really fancy pants.
Q: Could you tell me about the challenges and rewards of working in TV versus film?
Selena: For me I worked on a sitcom, so I had four cameras; we had an audience and my hours were maybe 10 hours a day. And I enjoyed that. It was actually easy and I was very comfortable. On film, we worked like night shoots at like six, worked 14 hour days, but the reward was having to be on this beautiful location and meet awesome people and work with good people. It was fun.
Q: What was your favorite scene in the movie?
Selena: My favorite scene in the movie would maybe be the end where I'm saying goodbye to Leighton [Meester] because our characters go up this huge arc, so it's really nice to see us bond at the end. And there's another scene that I like where I'm with Katie [Cassidy] in the bed and we're kind of talking about our feelings and kind of what we're going through, and I think it's really sweet and Katie does a great job.
Q: Could you talk about wearing the gorgeous clothes and the style, how much input you had, and say something about your own style?
Selena: Well that was all Tom. Tom Bezucha, who directed the film, wanted it to be really beautiful and not very bright, but just uplifting, and he did a very good job with it. Grace's wardrobe is very Texan and very simple but very pretty. Cordelia's was very intense. I mean she wore really amazing dresses and jackets and glasses and purses and earrings, and it was really fun to kind of create that whole vibe because she wasn't the kind of heiress that I thought she was going to be. She was very high-fashion. My personal clothes is just kind of simple and I like comfortable things.
Q: The movie is all about this like once in a lifetime adventure. In your own life, do you have one memorable summer adventure that you went on?
Selena: For me it would probably have to be this movie. I mean I was 17 when I shot the film and I got to live in Budapest for six weeks and go to Paris and Monte Carlo for two weeks and work with Katie and Leighton which was awesome. So for me that whole experience was really life-changing. I learned so much on this film. So I would say that was one of the best summers.
Q: The movie begins with a graduation scene. Could you talk about what your school experience was like, and if you have advice for kids about going back to school in the fall.
Selena: Oh man. I went to school up until eighth grade, so it was Middle School for me. I was not a very popular kid. I kind of sat in the back. I had like two friends and my cousin was the captain of the cheerleading team, so nobody picked on me because she was the most popular, so she was always very protective of me. My advice though is it's so hard to not give in to what all of the trends are and what people are saying. So hard to do that, but ultimately I'm so happy being. . . I would much rather be the oddball out than kind of create something of myself that I'm not proud of. I don't know if that's advice but I really hope that they stay who they are.
Can you believe that Justin Bieber's girlfriend was not popular in Middle School??? Think about THAT the next time you get picked on! And for more about the movie, Monte Carlo, check out the Scholastic News Kids press review.
Also don't miss our STACKS video of Selena talking about why she loves to read!
— 
Selena Gomez is so cool!!
Comment #1 | Posted by: coolchicken3 on July 22, 2011 at 07:50 AM
Oh, That's a great interview! I can't wait to see Monte Carlo! Hopefully I will soon! Thanks for posting the interview!
Comment #2 | Posted by: Cheerfulheart15 on July 22, 2011 at 09:10 AM
I love Selena Gomez! Today's her 19th birthday!
Comment #3 | Posted by: ladygurl123 on July 22, 2011 at 10:20 AM
I am really excited to see your new movie! I do get picked on a little bit, so I'll think of your story! ;)
Comment #4 | Posted by: 8wildnreckless on July 22, 2011 at 10:31 AM
I loved Monte Carlo and Selena Gomez my favorite actress .
Comment #5 | Posted by: pinklynx3 on July 22, 2011 at 11:11 AM
She was 17 when this was filmed??? Wow! But it makes sense, because I think I remember her saying that she recorded some of the tracks for the A Year Without Rain album in Budapest.
Oh, and HAPPY 19th BIRTHDAY SELENA!!!
Comment #6 | Posted by: paco.haley on July 22, 2011 at 11:16 AM
it was a good movie but it was a little boring..but i still like it..
Comment #7 | Posted by: blueblack234 on July 22, 2011 at 11:24 AM
but i love you selena.
i wont to be just like you..
Comment #8 | Posted by: blueblack234 on July 22, 2011 at 11:25 AM
I think Selena is amazing!!!
Comment #9 | Posted by: justaprincess on July 22, 2011 at 11:27 AM
was playing 2 characters hard?
Comment #10 | Posted by: Aqua on July 22, 2011 at 11:40 AM
I am so going to watch this movie because Selena Gomez is my favorite singer, movie actress, and is a good choice maker. Also I think Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez are a perfect match!!! :) <3
Comment #11 | Posted by: Yul5 on July 22, 2011 at 12:03 PM
I saw the movie it is awsome!!!!by the way... Happy birthday Selena!!!!!!!!!!
Comment #12 | Posted by: Anndrea on July 22, 2011 at 01:39 PM
I love Selena, she so awesome
Comment #13 | Posted by: sydney on July 22, 2011 at 01:55 PM
Well my dream is to be a artist and design clothes and other things.
Comment #14 | Posted by: Artcheerful10 on July 22, 2011 at 02:21 PM
love it soooo want to see monte carlo and selena gomez is my fav. star hope she keeps it up oh and happy birthday selena from my sister and I ;)
Comment #15 | Posted by: Caylie0519 on July 22, 2011 at 02:30 PM
Can't wait to see the movie!
Comment #16 | Posted by: twilightbastion3 on July 22, 2011 at 02:53 PM
whats up! I hope I get to see Monte Carlo somday,I know I will but I hope its soon.
Comment #17 | Posted by: Aisha on July 22, 2011 at 03:00 PM
I love Selena Gomez and the movie!!!!!
Comment #18 | Posted by: no1chocolategateau on July 22, 2011 at 03:42 PM
i forgot that it was selena's birthday today i think she rocks
Comment #19 | Posted by: pinkbook32 on July 22, 2011 at 05:15 PM
This movie sounds so interesting! I love Selena Gomez, I think she did a great job in this movie too!
Comment #20 | Posted by: Andrea on July 22, 2011 at 05:35 PM
I saw the commercial its so funny and i like the song they play. I hope its a good movie because i want to see it.
Comment #21 | Posted by: aquadolphin311 on July 22, 2011 at 05:50 PM
I love Selena Gomez and i hope i get to see the movie.
Comment #22 | Posted by: amusedart3 on July 22, 2011 at 07:24 PM
Selena Gomez is the best singer and movie actress.She deserved to play two people in the new movie.I can't wait to watch Monte Carlo.<3 :)
Comment #23 | Posted by: mouthmemie on July 22, 2011 at 07:55 PM
I wish i was the one dating Justin Bieber not Selena Gomez
Comment #24 | Posted by: mellowislands on July 22, 2011 at 08:05 PM
omg..i so wanted to watch dis movie anyways how did you like play two characters? must have been difficult...
Comment #25 | Posted by: heartpink11 on July 22, 2011 at 09:45 PM