Selena Gomez appears to be eyeing a career shift as she dropped hints about potentially retiring from her music career during a recent episode of the ‘Smartless’ podcast released on January 1. In a clip from the podcast, the 31-year-old singer confirmed that she is considering stepping away from music after her upcoming album to direct her focus exclusively to acting.
“I started having a lot of fun with music and then touring was really fun,” Gomez said while speaking to hosts Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett, as per Rolling Stone. “But I was doing my TV show [Wizards of Waverly Place] at the same time and I just found it really fun so I just kept going. But the older I get, the more I’m kind of like, ‘I would like to find something to just settle on.’”
“I wanted to be an actress, I never really intended on being a singer full time…I don’t think I’m the best singer but I do know how to tell stories and I love being able to make songs.”
— Selena Gomez pic.twitter.com/Y8cTwflksT
— Buzzing Pop (@BuzzingPop) January 2, 2024
Selena Gomez says she’s too tired to pursue both music and acting
Continuing the discussion, she shared, “I do feel like I have one more album in me, but I would probably choose acting.” Despite the hosts praising her talents and assuring her she didn’t have to choose between the two, she acknowledged, “You’re right, but I am going to want to chill because I’m tired.”
Reflecting on the toll her demanding workload took on her during her rise in the industry, Gomez candidly opened up about seeking help. I went to a mental institute and canceled one of my tours. It just got to me because I love working and it distracts me from bad things.”
‘I wanted to be an actress’
Reflecting on her breakout Disney Channel series, Wizards of Waverly Place, Gomez discussed how it led her into a music career.
“Disney is, it’s safe to say, a machine and, in a way, forcefully require that I know how to sing so I could sing the theme song,” she explained. “They know how to package someone and make it a whole triple threat thing.”
“I wanted to be an actress, I never really intended on being a singer full-time but apparently that hobby turned into something else,” she continued. “I don’t think I’m the best singer but I do know how to tell stories and I love being able to make songs.”
Gomez opens up about her mental health struggles
Selena Gomez openly addressed her mental health struggles in her documentary, “Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me,” an Apple TV+ special released in 2022.
“She poured her heart and soul into this and it took a heck of a lot of courage to go as deep into her journey as she did,” an insider shared insights about the documentary to Us Weekly in November 2022. “As happy and centered as she is now, this is someone who freely admits she’s hit the wall numerous times in her life and had to rebuild and reset herself when all hope may have seemed lost.”
The source continued, “She’s grateful to have had these second chances, especially as it gives her the opportunity to help others and send that message loud and clear that anything is possible if you have the right mentality and tools at your disposal.”