Director/co-writer Thomas Bezucha reviews a scene with Selena Gomez on the set of MONTE CARLO. Copyright 20th Century Fox

Selena Gomez has not only a brand new album out this week, but a movie as well. We had the chance to sit down with the young star and chat about her new movie Monte Carlo, her new album “When the Sun Goes Down,” and a few other things liker her favorite Texas restaurants.

The beginning of the movie includes some second unit shots of Texas did you know several were shot in the Denton County area?

We definitely wanted to shoot some more of the spacious pretty areas of Texas. I wasn’t here for it, because we didn’t shoot any first unit here. I thought it was very sweet and authentic.

The diner stuff was shot overseas correct?

Yeah we shot that in Hungary, but it was very authentic.

So what do you get to do when you come home?

First thing I do is I go to my Nana’s house, because I like to relax with my family.  I like to go to Cracker Barrel, Chickfila, and Whataburger. All in the same day believe it or not, because I miss it so much! In California we don’t have any of those places.

Nicole Kidman and Forrest Whitaker were producers on this film, what was your involvement with them?

I haven’t met Forrest, but I did meet Nicole. We had a dinner when I first got the project. I was so starstruck, and she was incredibly nice and supportive. She’s someone I look up to, so that gave me a boost.

Did you get a chance to bond with the other girls before the filming began?

No actually, filming over seas is so pricey so we were scrapped for rehearsal time. I had to get there a little early for polo lessons and accent lessons. Leighton and Katie make it so easy though, and by the end of the film we were all so close. It was a good experience and I got lucky with both of them.

What are you hoping that girls get from the movie?

The point for me was that when you’re younger, just about everyone wishes, they had a different life. And it’s nice to show my character living this other persons life and realizing her own is a million times better. I think it’s a really good message for a lot of ages.

What’s your personal definition of success?
Doing things that I’m proud of. I don’t think I’ve ever put my name on a product or film or record that I was ashamed of. I think that my messages and the things that I represent are very positive. I think that’s my success.

How do you keep improving things?

A lot of hard work. I’m very nervous, everything that I do I get nervous.  Especially since my series has ended, because I don’t have that safety blanket to go back to. So now that it’s done, I’m kind of becoming an adult. So the choices I make are crucial.

Do you have any movies in the works?

Yes but unfortunately I can’t announce anything.

Any Television?

At the moment no, I’m focusing on Film right now. I would be open to the idea though as I get older.

This was an ambitious role with quite a few challenges you hadn’t faced before right?

Yes and I loved it! I was terrified, which is great. I like that and I think it allows me to become a better actress and live experiences like traveling to Hungary and Paris and Monte Carlo. I think if anything it just makes me better.

How difficult was the polo to do?

Here’s the funny thing about that. In the script I was actually supposed to be good at polo. I worked for two weeks straight, every morning at 7 A.M. I’d get up and work all day and smell like horse by the end, and I’d shown no progress. So they had to rewrite it into the script that I was not good. It made more sense that way anyway. I don’t know too many polo riders in Texas. I’d never ridden before, and I was terrified I’d upset my horse. They kept telling me to just give it a little kick and I was like I don’t want to kick it! But it was fun.

Can you talk about your summer tour?

Yes I’m very excited! It’s my first headlining tour. So it’s the first time I will get to have a little more creative input behind it. And a little bit more of a show concept. I’m going to have dancers and my band, it will be cool to have that entire summer to devote to music. I’m used to balancing quite a bit at the same time. I’m already rehearsing and I just want it to feel like a big party.

Your new album comes out this week. Any favorite songs on it, and how does it differ from your past albums?

I’m growing, I’m getting older, so it’s nice to become more confident and have more experiences with in my music. So it’s a little older but in the best way. It’s very positive and uplifting. My favorite song would probably be “Love You Like a Love Song”, which will be my second single. It’s really fun and very sweet. And then “We Own The Night” which was actually written by Pixie Lott. Who I love, she’s a really talented artist from the U.K.

Do you write any of your music?

I do, each album I have more time with. The first album I wasn’t sure what to do with it, so I had a lot of guidance and help. The second album I got to write a couple songs and got my feet wet. The third I was able to spend more time being creative with it, which was nice.

You usually go to the Children’s Hospital and spend some time there when you come to Texas can you tell us more about that?

I’m actually not going to be able to make it there on this trip. The reason I go there though, is I used to go there when I was a kid. I was a very dramatic child and always thought something was wrong with me. But I think they do such great work there. Children are my key demographic so it’s nice to meet them and talk with them.

Monte Carlo is in theater this Friday, and Selena’s latest album already hit stores on Tuesday. Thanks to Selena for taking the time to chat with us.