Selena Gomez Said Paparazzi Took Photos of Her in a Swimsuit When She Was 15

Selena Gomez has been in this industry longer than she hasn't, and as such, she's more than familiar with the prying eyes (and lenses) of the paparazzi.

The actress and singer, who's Vogue's April cover star, opened up about the invasion of privacy during an interview with Jia Tolentino.

Gomez said she was 15 and starring in Wizards of Waverly Place when the paparazzi became a mainstay in her life. "We were all new to this, and [co-stars David Henrie and Jake Austin] wanted to say things to the paparazzi, but you can't, because that's exactly what the paparazzi want," she explained.

Gomez went on to describe a "violating" incident in which the paps followed her and her family to the beach.

"I remember going to the beach with some family members who were visiting, and we saw, far away, grown men with cameras — taking pictures of a 15-year-old in her swimsuit," she said. "That is a violating feeling."

Just last week Gomez appeared to take her own shot at the paparazzi, brandishing a middle finger at the crowds that collected as she shot her new Hulu series, Only Murders in the Building.

"I think I spent so many years just trying to say the right thing to people for the sake of keeping myself sane," the multi-hyphenate said in regard to the pressures of her position in the public eye. "I'm just such a people-pleaser."

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