I remember just feeling really violated when I was younger: Selena Gomez

London: Singer-actor Selena Gomez said she felt violated as a child star, particularly when older male photographers would click her pictures on the beach.

The 25-year-old star, who found fame as a child through Disney's 'Wizards of Waverley Place', said stardom made her feel vulnerable, reported Contactmusic.

"I remember just feeling really violated when I was younger, even just being on the beach. I was maybe 15 or 16 and people were taking pictures - photographers.

"I don't think anyone really knew who I was. But I felt very violated and I didn't like it or understand it, and that felt very weird, because I was a young girl and they were grown men. I didn't like that feeling," Gomez said.

The 'Fetish' hitmaker also said she found it difficult to come to terms with people noticing her for her image rather than her work.

"I started getting known for things that weren't (related to) my work. That's when my passion started to really feel like it was going further and further away. And that scared me."