Selena Gomez felt 'really violated' throughout her Disney days

It seems like Selena Gomez did not start her career on a positive note.

During a recent interview, the pop sensation said she still harbours negative memories from that time in her life, reports E! Online.

"I started getting known for things that weren't [related to] my work. That's when my passion started to really feel like it was going further and further away. And that scared me," the 25-year-old recalled.

Performing for 100 people at state fairs was the "best feeling in the world," but as she told the magazine, "When I got older, I started to become exposed to the truth behind some stuff and that's when it flipped a little bit."

Adding, "I realized that, 'Oh this is actually really hard, and kind of slimy in certain areas and I didn't realize that certain people wanted certain things from me. My confidence went through a lot with that."

When asked about that terrifying turning point, Gomez pointed to being photographed at the beach.

She shared, "I remember just feeling really violated when I was younger, even just being on the beach. I was maybe 15 or 16 and people were taking pictures-photographers. I don't think anyone really knew who I was. But I felt very violated and I didn't like it or understand it, and that felt very weird, because I was a young girl and they were grown men. I didn't like that feeling."

But it was when she turned 18 that things really worsened for the celebrity.

The 'Same old Love' hit-maker revealed that, "I would say the last season of my show, I was probably 18-years-old, is when I felt like the flip happened. I didn't feel like it was about my art as much."

When asked how she ultimately reconciled the highs and lows of pursuing a career in the spotlight, Gomez credits prioritizing her mental health and redirecting her passions.

"Well, I stopped as well. I stopped and then I continued, because I realized that I needed to challenge myself. Do I really love this? Is this worth it anymore? I would look at my crowd on tour and think, 'Yes, this is worth it, right?" explained Gomez.

Continuing, "But then I would look at myself in the mirror and I just felt like, 'I've had enough, I don't know if I can go on anymore.' And I stopped it for a second. But it didn't mean that I didn't love it, I just had to find what I was going to do with it. As long as I'm healthy and happy in my mind, I'm all about it.