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Selena Gomez is opening up about her third studio album, Rare

Her first since 2015’s Revival, Rare hit shelves and streaming services on Jan. 10, 2020. Gomez debuted two lead singles in Oct. 2019 ahead of Rare’s official release: “Lose You to Love Me” — presumably about her ex-boyfriend Justin Bieber — followed by “Look at Her Now,” an upbeat track about moving on after a breakup, also said to be about her relationship with Bieber that ended in 2018 after a series of splits and reconciliations. 

While Gomez has spoken publicly numerous times about this being her most personal album yet, some Rare songs stand out among the rest for the 27-year-old pop star. Ahead, learn why the Texas native counts “Vulnerable” as one of her favorite songs from the 13-track album. 

Selena Gomez at the premiere of 'Dolittle' on Jan. 11, 2020
Selena Gomez at the premiere of ‘Dolittle’ on Jan. 11, 2020 | Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

‘Vulnerable’ a favorite of Gomez’s for message

In a phone interview with Billboard published on Jan. 14, 2020, Gomez talked about her new music, namely the sixth track on her album, “Vulnerable.” 

“The song that really sticks out to me is “Vulnerable,” which is focused on the strength involved with taking and retaking leaps of faith, even when it doesn’t work out,” Jason Lipshutz of Billboard told Gomez. 

She agreed saying “Vulnerable” is one of her “favorites” too for what “it is saying.” 

“That’s actually one of my favorites as well, for that reason. It is saying, after completely being depleted from life or whatever … I turned bitter for a while. I was extremely bitter and very dry,” she said before adding, “I was just disconnected to my feelings for so long.” 

Gomez continued, saying she discusses her feelings with a therapist. 

“But I go to therapy, I talk about everything that I’m walking through. I felt like, ‘Why do I do this? Why do I give myself away to people, even if it’s just friends or random people? Why do I do that?’ And I realized it is because one of my strengths, that I thought was a weakness, is being vulnerable,” she explained. 

This is where “Vulnerable” comes in. 

“So when we worked on the song, that’s exactly where it started,” Gomez said. “If I can give you all of myself, are you able to take that, and take care of that? And if you’re not, then I’m still gonna be who I am. I’m just not gonna have you in my life, but I’m gonna continue to be who I am.”

Lines in the song range from “if I give you every piece of me, I know that you could drop it” and “I would tell you all my secrets, wrap your arms around my weakness,” to “and If the only other option’s letting go I’ll stay vulnerable.”

She added that “multiple people” have told her “they love it” saying the song “could be a single.” 

Gomez ‘wanted a record that made people feel something’

In the same interview, Gomez, who has an estimated net worth of $60 million, offered up details about what she wanted this album to be. 

“I wanted a record that made people feel something,” Gomez said, “whether that was a hard relationship to get through, or gaining your confidence back, or being okay with just having fun.” 

“So there’s different layers to it, and I’m so grateful that it ended up becoming what it is now, after four and a half years,” she added. 

The singer and actress has yet to release details regarding a Rare World tour. However, while attending the premiere of Dolittle on Jan. 11, 2020, Gomez didn’t completely rule out the possibility of taking the album on the road. “We are still figuring it out,” she told Extra before adding, “I love being able to see my fans.” So, a tour might be in Gomez’s future.