Selena Gomez has opened up about her split from teen heart-throb Justin Bieber, insisting their relationship was especially stressful because it was played out in the spotlight.

The singer/actress allegedly dumped Bieber in November before reuniting at Christmas for a ski trip in Utah, but they then called off the relationship for good.

Gomez has now reflected on the failed romance in a candid interview with Harper’s Bazaar, admitting it was difficult to have their love life in the public eye.

She says, “It was (open to scrutiny), but that’s not a factor for me because unfortunately you can’t control that. To me, love is normal. Of course, you see Jay (Jay-Z) and Beyonce, and you’re like, ‘Oh, my gosh, they’re perfect for each other,’ but at the end of the day their love is just like everybody else’s love. They have problems, I’m sure, and they solve them, like anybody else… (Normality) was super important to both of us. Which was great… That’s how it should be.”

The 20 year old reveals she doesn’t get “asked out a lot”, but remains optimistic she will one day find someone special.

She says, “I believe in love – yes, I’m one of those girls… Most of my friends believe in love. I went out with (pop star) Katy Perry last night. She’s so fun and awesome, but it’s cool to see someone older believe in love too. She is all about it, and that’s how I will always be. I believe in stories like, ‘Oh, I met him in Starbucks.’”