Selena Gomez admits her fame can be ''overwhelming'', as she has seen her friends struggle with the spotlight.

Selena Gomez admits her fame can be "overwhelming".

While she has managed to navigate life in the spotlight without any major pitfalls, the 'Monte Carlo' actress - who is currently dating pop heartthrob Justin Bieber - insists it hasn't been so easy for her famous pals, who include Demi Lovato, who spent three months in rehab last year.

Asked how she has managed to stay grounded, Selena exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "Obviously it's an overwhelming business, especially for those of us who have been in it since we were very young and have grown up with it.

"But you just have to make sure you have good friends around you and your family there to support you. It's important to have that support system around you to help you cope."

While the 19-year-old star has friends in the business - including 17-year-old Justin - who know what it's like to be famous, Selena also likes to hang with pals who can take her "away" from her showbiz lifestyle.

She added: "It's nice to have people your own age that are in the business who know what you're going through and who can help you and who understand what it's like. But equally its quite nice to have other friends who aren't in the business and can just take you away from it."

The 2011 MTV EMA airs live from Belfast Sunday, 6th November at 9pm on MTV