Selena Gomez: 'Bieber fans are hurtful'

Selena Gomez has said that she feels "hurt" by the abuse she receives from Justin Bieber fans because of her relationship with the 'Baby' singer.

The stars were first linked in late 2010 but have both denied the romance on multiple occasions until recently.

Appearing on New York's Z100 radio show, the Wizards of Waverly Place actress admitted that she is often on the receiving ends of harsh criticism from Bieber's supporters.

"It's hard. It hurts, it really does. I don't feel like I'm doing anything wrong," she explained.

"I've been best friends with him for a very long time. It does hurt my feelings a lot but I try not to focus on it. I have a strong family and great fans."

However, Gomez insisted that she understands where his fans are coming from as she had a similar crush of her own in the past.

"I have to agree with them sometimes. I loved Jesse McCartney. I was obsessed with him. He dated Katie Cassidy when he was 16 or 17. I hated her, absolutely hated her," she added.

"I was mortified that he was with Katie and I wanted to be with him. He was my screen-saver! I just did a movie [Monte Carlo] with Katie Cassidy and she was the nicest person ever."