Selena Gomez on Justin Bieber's Career Comeback: 'This Is What I Always Saw in Him' 

Selena Gomez poses during her visits Kiss FM Studio\'s on Sept. 23, 2015 in London, England. 

She also talks to "The New York Times" about her new album "Revival" and the online rumor mill.

, Selena Gomez tried to focus on where she is now and where she plans to go in the future -- but the conversation inevitably turned to her famous past.

A lot has been made of Justin Bieber\'s career and persona reinvention lately, but none of it surprises his ex-girlfriend. “While people were writing that I was stupid for being in it, this is what I always saw in him,” she told

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Perhaps even more interesting is Gomez\'s acceptance of the nature of tabloids. Gomez knew the gossip magazines had “made it their mission to make [her] seem meek and small,” so she used

as a means of not only addressing that, but empowering herself beyond it.

One way in which Gomez has grown in relation to the online rumor mill is by taking cues from celebrity BFF Taylor Swift. “Taylor is a lot more trusting than I am,” Gomez explained. “I have trust issues, given my situation." 

\'s "Good for You" marks Gomez\'s highest-charting single yet, reaching No. 5 this week on the Billboard Hot 100. The new album hits stores on Oct. 9.

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