Selena Gomez clarifies she's 'beyond proud' of the work she did for Disney in her youth... after joking she 'signed my life away' to the studio at a young age

By BRIAN GALLAGHER, US SHOWBUSINESS REPORTER

Published: | Updated:

Selena Gomez is returning to the small screen for the first time since playing Alex Russo on Disney Channel's Wizards of Waverly Place, with a role in Hulu's Only Murders in the Building with Steve Martin and Martin Short.

The 29-year-old actress recently joked that she, 'signed my life away to Disney at a very young age, so I didn't know exactly what I was doing' in an interview to promote the Hulu series, debuting August 29. 

During another interview for the show with Radio Times, she clarified that she was joking and she is 'beyond proud' of what she did at Disney.

Selena returns: Selena Gomez is returning to the small screen for the first time since playing Alex Russo on Disney Channel's Wizards of Waverly Place, with a role in Hulu's Only Murders in the Building with Steve Martin and Martin Short

Selena returns: Selena Gomez is returning to the small screen for the first time since playing Alex Russo on Disney Channel's Wizards of Waverly Place, with a role in Hulu's Only Murders in the Building with Steve Martin and Martin Short

Signed: The 29-year-old actress recently joked that she, 'signed my life away to Disney at a very young age, so I didn't know exactly what I was doing' in an interview to promote the Hulu series, debuting August 29

Signed: The 29-year-old actress recently joked that she, 'signed my life away to Disney at a very young age, so I didn't know exactly what I was doing' in an interview to promote the Hulu series, debuting August 29

While Wizards of Waverly Place was pivotal in launching her career, she transitioned easily to movies and music.

Only Murders in the Building is her first TV series since Wizards of Waverly Place went off the air in 2012, though she made it clear she was looking to get back into television during the interview.

When asked if she was at all reluctant to return to the small screen, Gomez said, 'No, definitely not. I was looking for another show to do,' before clarifying her early comments about working for Disney.

Pivotal: While Wizards of Waverly Place was pivotal in launching her career, she transitioned easily to movies and music

Pivotal: While Wizards of Waverly Place was pivotal in launching her career, she transitioned easily to movies and music

Return to TV: Only Murders in the Building is her first TV series since Wizards of Waverly Place went off the air in 2012, though she made it clear she was looking to get back into television during the interview

Return to TV: Only Murders in the Building is her first TV series since Wizards of Waverly Place went off the air in 2012, though she made it clear she was looking to get back into television during the interview

'And by the way, I’m beyond proud of the work that I did with Disney as well. It kind of shaped who I am in a way,' Gomez added.

She conducted the interview with her Only Murders in the Building co-star Steve Martin at her side, who clarified she was clearly joking when she made the original comment.

'I have to jump in because I was there when Selena said that [at the TCA] and it was said in the most light-hearted, funny, jokey way,' Martin said.

Beyond proud: 'And by the way, I¿m beyond proud of the work that I did with Disney as well. It kind of shaped who I am in a way,' Gomez added

Beyond proud: 'And by the way, I’m beyond proud of the work that I did with Disney as well. It kind of shaped who I am in a way,' Gomez added

'And then I see it gets interpreted – sometimes they’ll say she was joking and sometimes they have it as an ominous headline – but it was completely just all in fun,' he added.

The comedian then joked, 'I’ve signed my life away to Marty Short, you think I like that?'

Gomez first guest-starred on Disney Channel's Suite Life of Zack and Cody and had a recurring role on Hannah Montana before landing the Alex Russo role on Wizards of Waverly Place at just 15 years of age.

Steve and Martin: The comedian then joked, 'I¿ve signed my life away to Marty Short, you think I like that?'

Steve and Martin: The comedian then joked, 'I’ve signed my life away to Marty Short, you think I like that?'

Alex: Gomez first guest-starred on Disney Channel's Suite Life of Zack and Cody and had a recurring role on Hannah Montana before landing the Alex Russo role on Wizards of Waverly Place at just 15 years of age

Alex: Gomez first guest-starred on Disney Channel's Suite Life of Zack and Cody and had a recurring role on Hannah Montana before landing the Alex Russo role on Wizards of Waverly Place at just 15 years of age

The show, which followed her Alex Russo and her family who run a restaurant but who are all also secretly wizards, ran for four seasons between 2007 and 2010.

She added that she was, 'very lucky,' while praising her parents for keeping her safe early on in her career.

'As a female in my position, I was taken care of and I’ve only had lovely experiences, so I’m grateful for that,' Gomez said. 

Wizard family: The show, which followed her Alex Russo and her family who run a restaurant but who are all also secretly wizards, ran for four seasons between 2007 and 2010

Wizard family: The show, which followed her Alex Russo and her family who run a restaurant but who are all also secretly wizards, ran for four seasons between 2007 and 2010

Lovely: 'As a female in my position, I was taken care of and I¿ve only had lovely experiences, so I¿m grateful for that,' Gomez said

Lovely: 'As a female in my position, I was taken care of and I’ve only had lovely experiences, so I’m grateful for that,' Gomez said

Selena Gomez

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