Selena Gomez 2017: Why 'Same Old Love' Singer 'Can't Stand' Social Media [VIDEO]
Selena Gomez is hoping to change some young lives for the better through her new Netflix show, 13 Reasons Why.
13 Reasons Why is based on the young adult novel of the same name, which centers on Hannah Baker, a teen who commits suicide after delivering 13 tapes to 13 people who helped contribute to her decision.
While Gomez has never gotten to such a breaking point herself, she spoke in New York City this week about relating to the main character's struggles after entering rehab for lipus and her own mental health in Nashville last year.
"I went away for 90 days and I actually met tons of kids in this place [and] we are talking about a lot of the issues that these characters are experiencing, [so] I would say yes," Gomez said, via Us Weekly. "I had to deal with it on a different scale. Whether it was kids or just growing up in the biggest high school in the world which was the Disney Channel, it was also adults that had the audacity to kind of tell me how I should live my life. It was very confusing for me. ... I had no idea who I was gonna be, what I'm still going to become. It definitely hit home."
Gomez, who does not star in the Netflix series but executive produces it, discussed how she hopes 13 Reasons Why provides a strong example for kids to feel good about themselves rather than preaching at them.
"I think this is what they need to see. We are not gonna post things, like, 'Hey be empowered,' because that's not what they wanna see. Kids don't care," she observed. "They have to see something that's gonna shake something. I want them to understand it. I would do anything to have a good influence on this generation. It's hard, but I definitely relate to everything going on."
Gomez also opened up about her conflicting relationship with social media sites like Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Snapchat and how it distorts reality.
"I can't stand social media," she said. "I can't stand what [teens are] looking at. I can't stand what they think is reality and the show is as real as it could possibly get," she concluded. "It's hard when you're looking at something everyday. You're missing life in front of you. There are 17 year olds who look older than me. That freaks me out."
The first season of 13 Reasons Why will be released March 31 on Netflix.
