In a recent GOAT Talk appearance with Karol G for Complex, Selena Gomez revealed what might just be her most unexpected celebrity crush yet—and no, it wasn’t a teen heartthrob or a 2000s pop icon. It was Ice Cube.
“He was my first celebrity crush!”
Selena, laughing and reminiscing, made the big reveal around minute 12 of the interview. “I was five years old and totally obsessed,” she said. “I know it sounds weird, but I just felt like he’d protect me. That was my whole thing—I saw him as my hero.” Whether it was his music or his larger-than-life film roles that won her over remains unclear, but her early admiration left a lasting impression.
Eminem on repeat, courtesy of her DJ dad
Selena also opened up about growing up with music constantly playing in the background—especially Eminem. “My dad was a DJ, and he’d remix a lot of Eminem tracks. I was obsessed every time he’d put him on,” she shared. Music, clearly, was baked into her childhood, shaping not only her taste but her creative identity.
Karol G joins the nostalgia trip
Karol G chimed in with her own GOAT picks, naming Eminem as her childhood rap idol, while giving love to Nicki Minaj as her current-day favorite. The vibe was one of playful appreciation—a mutual celebration of the artists who shaped their younger selves.
Selena’s glow-up, personal and creative
Now engaged to producer Benny Blanco, Selena seems to be in one of her happiest seasons yet. The two recently dropped a collaborative project titled I Said I Love You First… And You Said It Back, featuring a mix of names like Gracie Abrams, GloRilla, J Balvin, and The Marias. From rap icons to romantic hits, Selena’s universe continues to evolve with both nostalgia and fresh energy.
