In Hotel Transylvania 2 that hit Indian theatres in the weekend, Dracula’s daughter, voiced by actor and musician Selena Gomez , has a baby with her human husband Johnny. The 23-year-old Gomez talked to Mini Anthikad-Chhibber on her character called Mavis and about being a role model to young girls. Excerpts:
Were you prepared for motherhood in the movie?
This year I had two roles playing a mother. Mavis is more than just being a mom. This is about monsters and humans. I think it is special to talk to your kids about being different. It is about what it means to be different and embracing that.
What did kids love about Mavis?
The first questions they ask me is if I am a real vampire, they ask if I sleep upside down.
Lot of younger boys love the movie. It is very sweet, they are adorable.
If Mavis were a singer, what genre would she sing?
I think she would sing Rock, like vintage Kelly Clarkson.
How has it been to grow up in front of the camera?
Awkward, I guess. I always feel there is a misconception that child stars are forced into it. Lot of directors, musicians and writers ask: ‘Do you have an identity? Who are you? Did your parents make you do this?’
The moment I hit 18, I was desperate to prove that I had a voice. I wanted to strive for more. I needed to restructure the direction I was going in because I knew I could do more. I didn’t like that people thought I was this one-dimensional person when I knew I knew I had all these sides.
How do you balance acting and singing?
The choices I make are based on what I think is right for me. Music is good for me right now.
I love being able to express myself musically, but five years from now I may just want to stick to acting. I just want to see what happens. My next album is the most incredible, I have never been more proud.
What is your first memory of watching an animation movie?
I think the first animation movie I saw was The Rugrats Movie . I went with my mom. It was perfect.
I think that is why I want to make movies. I still get excited about watching films. I love to watch films on the big screen. It is like an event.
Which actors do you admire?
I don’t feel like I could emulate anyone’s career. But I love everyone from Meryl Streep to Kate Winslet to Rachel McAdams. I think their choices are never similar.
Rachel did Mean Girls to Notebook to Red Eye to Wedding Crashers . It is like comedy, thriller, drama, romance. They reinvent themselves for a character.
Charlize Theron does that for every role. I love and admire that. I never want to play the same character.
How do you feel about being a role model for young girls?
Honestly, it has been the best gift. I don’t mean that in a cheesy way because I am not perfect. People have seen that I am not perfect. But I am not going to let anybody tell me that I am not good enough. I do everything based on what I believe in.
What is your idea of the ‘It Girl’?
Well there are different definitions. What I would say to any young girl about anybody they are looking up to, ‘What did they take to get there? Do they have a good work ethic? Did they chase their dreams? Are they good people?’
I am not the best but I know that when young girls look at me, they see a person who has come from Texas, who has been working since she was seven — at least it is me being who I am.
I feel girls should look up to people who make them feel they can do anything, achieve anything.
How do you stay grounded?
My mom! (laughs). She has given up her whole life for me.
She had me when she was 16. She has been working her whole life just to give me a better life.
She is the one person who will tell me no when everyone else will say yes.
