A Wizard time!

Lately, I’ve become a bit of an embarrassment for my 12-year-old and eight-year-old – especially when I sing along to all the songs on Glee. But in the last few days, things have changed. And it’s been largely due to Selena Gomez, the 17-year-old star of Disney’s Wizards of Waverly Place.

Not only were my children lucky enough to be invited along (with me, of course!) to the central London launch of the new Wizards of Waverly Place clothing range for George at Asda, where they met EastEnders’ Lacey Turner and X Factor winner, Alexandra Burke. But they also got to see Selena performing her new single, Naturally, with her band, The Scene.

Unluckily for them, but luckily for me, I also got the chance to interview Selena a few days later at London’s exclusive Soho Hotel, where she was meeting press from around the world. And she was just as sweet as her Wizards character, Alex Russo – but a lot less troublesome.

For while Alex is a fun-loving, teenage wizard who doesn’t like to play by the rules, and who must keep her powers a secret, Selena was down-to-earth and bubbly, and happy to chat about her acting, her singing, her fashion designing, and the work she does for UNICEF. And her mum, Mandy, was on-hand to keep her company – along with several representatives from Disney.

More used to the Californian sunshine than the unpredictable weather of London, Selena liked to keep the interview room at a warm temperature, and was dressed for the heat in a cool, white sleeveless top, jeans and trainers, while I instantly regretted wearing long sleeves.

Before I left, I had a photograph or two taken with her and although her petite frame suggested she was short, I realised she was slightly taller than me. And she even gave me a hug goodbye. Magic!

By Elaine Penn

You can read what Selena had to say about all new episodes of Wizards of Waverly Place- and more – in TV Choice magazine, on sale from Tuesday, May 4.