The actor-singer stars in Hulu's highly entertaining new series "Only Murders in the Building."
Selena Gomez on Knowing Your Worth, New Music, and Emailing With Steve Martin
Television is at its best when it surprises you, and Selena Gomez, Steve Martin, and Martin Short do that and then some in their new murder mystery–comedy hybrid, Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building. The slick, 10-episode series is now streaming and features the trio we didn’t know we needed.
There’s something so delightful in watching comedy legends like Short and Martin interact with one of the most popular stars of the 21st century. Gomez, 29, doesn’t disappoint. In the series, created by Steve Martin and John Hoffman and executive-produced by This Is Us creator Dan Fogelman, the “Love You Like a Love Song” singer plays Mabel, a very private and lonely interior designer who lives in a swanky apartment building in Manhattan’s Upper West Side. It’s there she meets—and bonds with—Charles (Martin) and Oliver (Short) over a shared love of a true-crime podcast, eventually becoming wrapped up in the real thing.
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Only Murders marks the pop star and beauty founder’s first return to TV (or in this case, streaming) since Disney Channel’s Wizards of Waverly Place ended its four-year run nearly 10 years ago. While Gomez is thrilled, she’s also a bit nervous now that it’s finally here. “I just hope viewers are pleasantly surprised,” Gomez tells me over Zoom. “You never know if people are going to like it, but I’m excited because this was such a special project.”
So just how did it come about? Here, Gomez fills Glamour in on her “two crazy uncles,” how she resonated with Mabel, and the latest on new music. Read on.
Glamour: I would imagine working with Steve Martin and Martin Short would be the easiest career decision ever, but did you have any hesitation?
Selena Gomez: I had no hesitation. The writers had mentioned my name, so I met them via Zoom, and they explained the concept of the series, which I thought was brilliant. First off, I love true crime. I’m such a fan of true crime—I’ve been to CrimeCon, I go to escape rooms. I love the adrenaline of a mystery. So that was a no-brainer for me. Plus, Steve and Marty are icons, legends. It was so much fun to be able to work with these comedic geniuses, and in such a time where humor is different, their humor is timeless and it’s crazy. I had a blast.
Wait—there’s a CrimeCon?
Yes! Just like Comic-Con! You go and get an actual case that’s open. Sometimes it’s been open for 20 years, other times it’s sooner, but basically you get to go in and be a part of the case. It’s real, and it’s really crazy. You go there as someone who wants to help solve the case.
Do people recognize you when you’re there? Or do you wear a disguise?
No, that was actually fine because everybody was so focused on the case. It was so much fun.
Okay, so once you felt comfortable with Steve and Marty, what were your conversations like? What did you want to ask them about?
My questions always consisted of “What were you doing when you were my age?” I asked them about love, I asked them about their careers, I asked them about humor. I was constantly asking questions. It was so much fun for me to learn and really feel like I was a part of the gang. They even initiated me as third amigo.
What’s the best advice they’ve given you?
To just don’t rush. Don’t rush. I think if anything, they’ve just always taught me to enjoy the moment that I’m in and to be aware of my worth and my value.
And what did Steve and Marty want to know about you and your career?
They would always ask questions about pop culture. I think that was the biggest fascination. If anything, it was like, “Why is this song popular?” and “Are people listening to this still? Are they liking this?” I would play them rap songs, and I would sing with them and dance. It was so much fun; it shouldn’t even have been work.
Are we going to be able to see videos of this dancing and singing?
Maybe. I have some footage, but I always have to ask the guys’ permission first, but I do have some footage.
One of my favorite scenes in the series is when their characters struggle with whether to call or text you, and then try to figure out what to say to you in a text. I’m guessing you have their phone numbers in real life, so what is it like texting with Steve and Marty?
It’s actually email! They’re so sweet, and they sign off, like, “Yours truly, Steve.” It’s the sweetest thing. They are just like quirky and cute in their own way. They felt like my two crazy uncles. Just imagine being in the middle of those two. I was captivated.
How did you most relate to your character, Mabel?
I felt like there was a sense of, I don’t want to use the word loneliness, but there’s this part of her where she feels like she’s not understood by a lot of people. Sometimes I have that feeling—sometimes I get in my head a little and think about things too much. I feel like I got to bring that to Mabel. If anything, I just felt more confident playing her. She was so quick and dry and sarcastic. I enjoyed playing her so much.
What was the most challenging part of the project, and what did you learn about yourself in the process?
Well, keeping up with Steve and Marty is…a lot. It’s great, but you want to make sure that you are living up to the expectation. I was surprised at the moments where I would improv and people would laugh because I’m not as good in that department as they are. So when I would do it, I was very timid. But when I would make Steve and Marty laugh, it was gold. I was like, “Yes! I did it right.” [Laughs.]
You have a lot going on, and Rare Beauty is about to celebrate its first anniversary with more product launches, but what about new music? Are you working on anything right now?
I definitely can say there will be some music. I’m working on a new album right now. I’m just in the studio. Nothing’s official or anything, but yes, there is music coming.
I think Steve plays the banjo, right? Maybe now’s the time to get Steve and Marty on board.
I tried—he was too much. [Laughs.] But they have to; they should.
What about collaborating again for more seasons of Only Murders in the Building?
We’re hoping, yeah. We’re all game to do season two if the opportunity presents itself. I would do anything to work with them again. I just hope people enjoy it as much as we did.
And finally, I have to know: Did you talk to the guys about Father of the Bride?
I actually talked about Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Three Amigos more than I did Father of the Bride. I love Father of the Bride, but I had so much fun watching them in Three Amigos and then Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. And my sister loves Pink Panther.
Jessica Radloff is the Glamour West Coast editor. You can follow her on Instagram at @jessicaradloff14.
This story originally appeared on: Glamour - Author:Condé Nast
