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Many 18-year-olds have just finished their freshman year in college. But, for media fixture Selena Gomez, she has more on her mind than just higher education. With a leading role in the new movie Monte Carlo (out July 1st), a third album on the horizon (When the Sun Goes Down, drops June 28th. The first single, “Who Says,” was just certified Gold), a cross-country concert tour starting to ramp up, and her star-making Disney channel show The Wizards of Waverly Place about to air its final season, Gomez is certainly not spending her summer lounging poolside like others in her age group – only working that scene in Monte Carlo.

In Monte Carlo, Gomez plays Texan waitress Grace, who goes on a self-funded, self-searching trip to Paris with her best friend (Katie Cassidy) and stepsister (Leighton Meester). While in the City of Lights, Grace gets mistaken for the snooty British heiress Cordelia (Gomez plays both roles) and imposters her way into the lap of luxury. The trio quickly gets in over their heads as they get whisked away by the wealthy teen’s handlers to the titular city.

On a 10-city mall tour to promote the film, Selena Gomez took part in an afternoon roundtable interview at Philadelphia’s Four Season hotel.

Looking healthily slender (not “malnourished’ as per the tabloids after her recent hospital debacle), it was amazing how bright and chipper she was, especially after hosting a mere few hours earlier the Much Music Video Awards 2011 in Toronto (the Canadian equivalent to the VMA’s). “I was so terrified,” said Selena, “I never hosted a thing in my life. There were thousands of people there and I was so, so nervous. But I had a great time. It was really fun... The traveling part when you are on two hours of sleep isn’t the fun part, but it’s fine.”

Soft-spoken, but certainly not shy, Gomez spoke on topics ranging from playing three roles in one film, working with Disney, tabloids, and which Friends character she gets her comedic timing from.

How did you get started in acting?

Selena Gomez: I started when I was about seven. I was an only child and very dramatic - still dramatic to this day. I love entertaining people, I love singing and dancing, and I asked my Mom if I could be an actress. She took me to a few auditions and always made sure I did it because I wanted to and had fun with it. It kind of stuck on me.

What part did your parents play in your career?

SG: My Mom was actually in theater, but never did television or anything – just theater. She’s also my manager. Every choice I have made in my career has been between me and my Mom discussing it. How I want it to be and how I envision my career… but she is my mom first, before manager. She is also my biggest fan, and very supportive in everything that I do. But she also catches me and makes sure that I am being a good person, and disciplines me, which is nice. So I think we have a good relationship with that.

My biological Dad doesn’t really want to know about the business. He is back in Texas, because he is a very protective Dad, and gets very overwhelmed. So as long as I am happy and healthy and doing what I love, that’s all that my Dad cares about.

My stepdad runs all of my charity organizations. He is in charge of my financial things with my business partner and helping us run the production team. So he is more involved with my career. I am very lucky with my system.

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