Selena Gomez wasted a year on ex

Actress and singer Selena Gomez performs during her concert as part of her "We Own The Night" tour at the Palacio de Deportes (Sports Palace) in Mexico City January 26, 2012.

Selena Gomez "completely wasted" a year of her life on an ex-boyfriend.

The 19-year-old beauty - who has previously dated Taylor Lautner and Nick Jonas - didn't enjoy being in a former relationship which meant she had to "hide everything" and do the "craziest things" to avoid being seen with her then-boyfriend.

Selena - who is currently dating Justin Bieber - told Cosmopolitan magazine: "I was in a relationship previously where I had to hide everything and it wasn't my choice.

"I had to go through different exits and take separate cars and do the craziest things, and it just really wasn't worth it. It was like a year of my life completely wasted."

But the singer-and-actress now loves being able to go on dates with the 'Never Say Never' hitmaker and she enjoys spending time with the 17-year-old teen heartthrob being "as normal as possible".

She added: "I'm just like every 19-year-old girl. If you're in love, you're in love to the fullest, and you just want to go to the movies, hang out, and be as normal as possible. I'm fortunate that I've found someone who has that philosophy."

Bieber, Gomez attend entertainment events

Actress and singer Selena Gomez smiles during a photocall before a news conference at a hotel in Mexico City January 26, 2012. Gomez will perform two concerts as part of her "We Own The Night" tour in Mexico City on Janaury 26 and in Guadalajara on January 27

Bieber, Gomez attend entertainment events

Singer Justin Bieber speaks at a ceremony where Michael Jackson's shoes and gloves are used to make hand and foot imprints in cement in the courtyard of Hollywood's Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles on January 26, 2012

Selena Gomez thanks fans for support

Singer Selena Gomez poses on arrival at the 2011 American Music Awards in Los Angeles November 20, 2011.

Selena Gomez has thanked fans for their support following her mother's miscarriage.

The 19-year-old singer-and-actress pulled out of two concert appearances earlier this month when her mother Mandy Teefey lost the baby she was expecting and has now spoken publicly about the tragedy in a Christmas message to her followers.

She wrote on her Facebook page: "Belated Merry Christmas everybody... I can't thank you enough for all of your thoughts and prayers. We appreciate every one of you... I love you all so much and we hope you and your family had a beautiful Christmas!"

In her posting, Selena - who is dating Justin Bieber - revealed the baby was a girl who her mother and stepfather Brian had named Scarlett.

Signing off the message, she wrote: "Me, Momma, Brian and our guardian angel Scarlett."

Last month, the 'Wizards of Waverley Place' actress had spoken of her excitement at becoming a "big sister".

She tweeted: "Momma and Brian are finally letting me share the news... My mommys carrying my baby brother or sister :) I'm the happiest girl in the world! (sic)"

Mandy, a former actress, was married to Selena's father Ricardo Joel Gomez until the Disney star was five years old. She went on to tie the knot with Brian in 2006.

Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez to ring in MTV New Year

Singer Demi Lovato performs at the Z100's Jingle Ball concert at Madison Square Garden in New York December 9, 2011.

Hey Justin Bieber - Selena Gomez already has plans for New Year's Eve.

Gomez will be ringing in the New Year in New York City's Times Square with fellow star Demi Lovato for MTV's live special.

MTV said Monday that both are due to perform, along with singer Jason Derulo and rappers J Cole and Mac Miller. The night's festivities will be hosted by Lovato and Tyler Posey of MTV's "Teen Wolf."

The show will air from MTV's Times Square studios. Fans can bid to be part of the audience. Proceeds will go to FWD, to help with the crisis in East Africa.

Justin Bieber 'still learning about girls'

Singer Justin Bieber kisses his girlfriend, singer Selena Gomez, as they arrive at the 2011 American Music Awards in Los Angeles November 20, 2011.

Justin Bieber is "still learning about girls".

The 17-year-old singer - who has been dating actress Selena Gomez since early this year - admitted he doesn't know whether he will ever "really figure out" women, but he is happy to have found love so early in life.

He said in an interview with Atlanta Radio's 'The Bert Show': "I'm still learning about girls. Everyday is different. You have to go through different things. I don't know if you ever really figure it out but it's great!

"Life's all about that - finding the girl you love."

The 'Baby' hitmaker recently explained he is attracted to Selena, 19, because she is "hot" but he also insisted they share a connection because of their similar family backgrounds.

Justin said: "Everybody can see she is hot and that's great, but there is so much more to her than that. She makes me laugh and she puts up with my practical jokes. She has really strong family values as well.

"We were both raised by our moms in single-parent households, and that's given us a lot of the same family values in life."

Selena Gomez planning Xmas break

Selena Gomez is taking some time off around Christmas.

The 19-year-old beauty - who is dating 'Baby' hitmaker Justin Bieber - wants to have a few weeks off around the festive period after a busy year of touring and performing, and may be spending it with her boyfriend.

She said: "I've had a week off for Thanksgiving, and then I'm having a week-and-a-half or two weeks off for Christmas time. And then I'm just going to relax and do nothing."

Selena is particularly looking forward to seeing in 2012, but admits she has not "planned" anything in particular for the next year.

She told MTV News: "I feel like this approach of this year, I wasn't expecting any of the things that happened.

"And so I just kind of want to go into the end of this year and the beginning of next year just excited and in a good place and not planning anything."

The former 'Wizards of Waverley Place' star recently revealed she loves to bake in her downtime.

She said: "I like to bake - cookies and cakes and stuff. I'm not that good but that's the whole fun of it; you get to mess around and experiment."

2011 American Music Awards held in LA

Singer Justin Bieber and his girlfriend, singer Selena Gomez arrive at the 2011 American Music Awards in Los Angeles November 20, 2011

Selena Gomez loves to bake

Selena Gomez's main hobby is baking.

The 19-year-old star - who is dating Justin Bieber - loves to spend her free time in the kitchen when she is not on tour or on set, and although she confesses she isn't a culinary master she is getting better.

She revealed: "I like to bake - cookies and cakes and stuff. I'm not that good but that's the whole fun of it; you get to mess around and experiment."

When she's not baking in her spare time, Selena also likes to just relax at home and watch movies in her comfy clothes.

The 'Monte Carlo' star added: "It's nice to feel pretty and get dressed up but otherwise I'm definitely in jeans and my hair is up. I just like sitting on my couch watching movies."

This week, Selena has been worried about her three-month-old puppy Baylor after he almost died from eating some small rocks.

Selena - who adopted the Purina Puppy Chow last month with Justin - wrote on her twitter page: "My baby is sick :( praying for his surgery. (sic)"

Justin and Selena adopted Baylor after visiting the Winnipeg animal rescue centre D'Arcy's ARC, where they fell in love with him.

Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez perform at MTV awards

Actress and singer and host of the show Selena Gomez addresses the audience at the MTV Europe Music Awards show in Belfast November 6, 2011

Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez perform at MTV awards

Actress and singer and host of the show Selena Gomez arrives on the red carpet at the MTV Europe Music Awards show in Belfast November 6, 2011

Selena Gomez speaks on 2011 MRV EMA

Actress, singer and 2011 MTV EMA host, Selena Gomez, poses for photographers at a news conference at the Odyssey Arena, in Belfast November 5, 2011. The 2011 MTV EMA will be held at the Odyssey Arena on Sunday.

Selena Gomez to stay professional with Bieber

Selena Gomez isn't worried about having to present Justin Bieber with an award at the MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs).

The 19-year-old pop star will host the awards ceremony - which will take place on Sunday (06.11.11) in Belfast, Northern Ireland - and insists she will remain professional if her 17-year-old boyfriend, who is to perform at the event, wins a prize.

Asked what she will do if Justin wins and she has to present him with an award in front of the crowd and a worldwide TV audience of millions, Selena said: " It's an awards show which I'm presenting, so I'm sure I'll be fine if I have to present an award to Justin."

Selena is excited about presenting the awards in Belfast as it gives her the opportunity to do some sightseeing as well as check out her favourite acts, though she admits she is worried some of the audience won't know who she is.

She exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "I can't wait, it's going to be really awesome. I am quite nervous though, especially because it's the European awards, not many people will be that familiar with who I am so there's even more pressure on me to be a good host.

"We're going to try to come up with really fun skits and my band and I will perform. I'm really wanting to make it be about the artists and people that are nominated, I really overall want to make it a fun show, not too crazy, just stuff that's about the music. I'm really excited to see Coldplay perform though, I think they're going to be phenomenal but there are so many great people nominated that it's going to be an awesome show.

"I'm going to come in for rehearsals so I'm really excited at the thought of spending a couple of days in Ireland and hopefully doing some sightseeing too."

The 2011 MTV EMA airs live from Belfast Sunday, 6th November at 9pm on MTV.

Selena Gomez attends premiere of 'The Thing'

Actress and singer Selena Gomez poses at the world premiere of "The Thing" at Universal Studios Hollywood in Universal City, California October 10, 2011. The movie opens in the U.S. on October 14

2011 MTV Video Music Awards

Singer Selena Gomez poses on arrival at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles August 28, 2011

Selena Gomez gets helping hand from Taylor

Taylor Swift solves all of Selena Gomez's problems.

The two stars are close friends and Selena - who is dating teenage singing sensation Justin Bieber - knows she can always turn to the 'Love Story' hitmaker when she needs advice.

Selena said: "Every problem I ever have is healable by Taylor Swift.

"What I love about Taylor is she believes in the whole love story - Prince Charming, soul mates. Because of her, I haven't lost faith."

Selena also tries to be a supportive friend to Taylor, and revealed she helped the 21-year-old beauty through her 2008 split from Joe Jonas.

She explained: "When Taylor was going through a hard time breaking up with Joe Jonas, we'd make each other playlists.

"I'd send her some girl-empowering music and she'd send some back.

"We had 'Since U Been Gone' by Kelly Clarkson and 'Hot N Cold' by Katy Perry."

As well as Taylor, Selena is also friends with Demi Lovato and Miley Cyrus, and although there are pop rivals the 'Monte Carlo' actress has never felt jealous of their successes.

She told Top of the Pops magazine: "It's not normal for me to feel jealous. I'm competitive with myself, more than anything.

"And anyway, all of my friends in the business are bigger than me."

Star tracks in August

U.S singer/actress Selena Gomez leaves her hotel in Midtown, New York, August 8, 2011

Selena Gomez promoting her new movie 'Monte Carlo'

Singer and actress Selena Gomez performs during an appearance at the Santa Monica Place mall to promote her new movie "Monte Carlo" in Santa Monica, California June 13, 2011. Gomez was due to make the promotional appearance June 10 but fell ill and was hospitalized for routine tests.

Selena Gomez promoting her new movie 'Monte Carlo'

Singer and actress Selena Gomez performs during an appearance at the Santa Monica Place mall to promote her new movie "Monte Carlo" in Santa Monica, California June 13, 2011. Gomez was due to make the promotional appearance June 10 but fell ill and was hospitalized for routine tests.

Selena Gomez promoting her new movie 'Monte Carlo'

Singer and actress Selena Gomez performs during an appearance at the Santa Monica Place mall promoting her new movie "Monte Carlo" in Santa Monica, California June 13, 2011. Gomez was due to make the promotional appearance June 10 but fell ill and was hospitalized for routine tests.