Gomez shifts focus to music

By John Benson

entertainment@vindy.com

Selena Gomez is feeling the pressure.

Just as Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Jessica Simpson and other teen-based female singers had to make the jump from Disney Channel cool to mainstream acceptance, the “Wizards of Waverly Place” actress realizes her teen years are almost over.

While she’s ventured into feature films — most notably 2010’s “Ramona and Beezus” and the recent “Monte Carlo,” as well as “The Muppets” later this year — Gomez, 19, just released her third studio effort, “When the Sun Goes Down.” Also, as if she needed any more exposure, Gomez is famously dating teen idol du jour Justin Beiber. Even though she was in the spotlight before, her new beau has decidedly upped the ante with the paparazzi.

“It’s annoying; it really is,” said Gomez, calling from outside of Atlanta. “It’s frustrating, but I can’t be the person who sits here and complains. I don’t respect what they do. I always dreamed about being able to tour the world. I’ve always dreamed to do what I love. So, unfortunately, it does come with it. Whether it’s my music, my acting, my TV show, I just want it to be about my work. Unfortunately, it’s just kind of been scrutinized about my private life at the moment, which is very frustrating. But if I just continue to work hard, which I’ve been doing for the past 11 years. I just want to be recognized for that.”

Among all the endeavors in Gomez’s life, she’s currently taking the temperature of her music career. Her new CD, “When the Sun Goes Down,” boasts a predictable array of sounds and styles within the electro-pop genre. Now for the first time, Gomez actually is giving one of her releases the proper support. Her “We Own the Night Tour” rolls through Cleveland on Sunday at the Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica.

She’s viewing the concert as a unique party with friends, albeit tweeners praying Bieber makes an appearance (as he did earlier on the tour), with sections of the show finding Gomez playing different roles: from a soft-sided beginning to a hip-hop vibe and finally a party girl.

Just like Spears in her late teens, Gomez now finds herself on the treacherous and unpredictable path of not only growing up in front of her fans but attempting to bring them along. “When the Sun Goes Down” positions Gomez more front and center from her earlier efforts, but unlike her idol, she’s not using overt sexuality to equate maturity.

Still, Gomez admits the leap from teen star to legitimate pop artist is an uncertain expanse.