Selena Gomez has spoken out on being ‘sexualised’ during her music career.

Speaking during a roundtable for The Hollywood Reporter, which also included Amy Schumer, Tracee Ellis Ross and Quinta Bruson, the star, 29, was asked about her decision to ‘reject’ the image the industry projected on her.

The multi-talented star, who currently features in the smash hit comedy series Only Murders In The Building, explained she felt ‘really ashamed’ after posing nude for an album cover seven years ago.

Amy Schumer, who stars alongside Selena in the upcoming second season of Only Murders In The Building, asked her co-star what her experience was like growing up in the spotlight.

‘Someone like Selena who was sexualised at such a young age… but you really have rejected that and found your own style and presence. It takes a lot to decide to go in that direction,’ Amy told her.

‘I did an album cover and I was really ashamed after I did it,’ Selena explained in reply, referencing her second studio album Revival released in 2015.

‘I had to work through those feelings because I realised it was attached to something deeper that was going on.’

‘It was a choice that I wasn’t necessarily happy that I made but I think I’ve done my best at least, I’ve tried to be myself. And myself is, I’m not an overly sexual person, sometimes I like to feel sexy but that doesn’t mean it’s for somebody else, it’s for me.’

During the candid conversation, Selena was also asked if her ‘old Disney persona factors into the decisions you make at this point in your career?’

‘I think I’ve done a pretty good job of removing myself from that because I’m pretty honest about my imperfections,’ she mused.

‘But I took control of the narrative of my life once I started becoming older because, growing up, I didn’t really have a choice.’

‘Now I understand that there are certain boundaries that I need to set for myself, and I respect and adore so many people, but I’ve got to do what’s best for me.’

Selena has developed a close friendship with Amy after the comedy legend was invited to guest star in the second series of Selena’s show Only Murders.

The series follows Charles-Haden Savage (Steve Martin), a former TV drama series star, Oliver Putnam (Martin Short), a struggling Broadway director, and Mabel Mora (Gomez), a young woman renovating an apartment in their building, The Arconia.

The first season followed this unlikely trio, who discover they’re all true crime superfans… and put their passion to the test when someone is murdered in their building.

The second season features a long line of big star names including Amy, Tina Fey and Cara Delevingne.