Selena Gomez rejects pressure to look like her younger self as she embraces getting older

Selena Gomez is pushing back against pressure to recreate the version of herself that became a social media favourite in 2016, saying she is happy to embrace ageing and the changes that come with it.

In a new PEOPLE cover story published September 16, the 34 year old singer and actress opened up about ageing, beauty and the public fascination with her appearance from a decade ago. Gomez said she is enjoying getting older and does not feel frightened by the changes that come with time.

The discussion comes as Gomez continues to see images from 2016 resurface online. She acknowledged that throwback photos and the nostalgia surrounding her appearance during that period can be entertaining, but said public interest can become intense.

Gomez explained that she sometimes jokes that people want to freeze her in that period of her life. She also reflected on how different her circumstances were at the time, noting that 2016 was a hectic period and recalling her signature smoky eye from those years.

Her approach to makeup has since changed. Gomez said she still enjoys creating a smoky eye, but it looks different now, while her everyday routine has become more understated. She described natural beauty as an important part of her identity and acknowledged that some people prefer the highly polished looks associated with her earlier years.

Gomez has also spoken about confidence while reflecting on her younger sister, Gracie. She praised the 13 year old for being willing to experiment while understanding that she does not need makeup or other changes to feel confident.

The interview also comes as Gomez receives PEOPLE’s inaugural Beauty Impact Award for her mental health advocacy through Rare Beauty. The Rare Impact Fund has raised over $30 million for youth mental health initiatives, while Rare Beauty commits 1% of annual sales to the fund.