Selena Gomez 'was rejected by Disney'

Selena Gomez has revealed that she was once told that she was "not strong enough" to be signed up by the Disney Channel.

MTV News reports that the 18-year-old actress, who stars in the lead role of Alex Russo in Wizard of Waverly Place, was rejected by a director at the corporation seven years ago.

Gomez explained: "When I was 11, I had a casting director say to me, ‘You’re not strong enough to carry your own show. You’re not strong enough to be part of the Disney Channel'.

"I cried all the time afterwards but I just kept on working hard. Whenever you have a goal, whether you want to be a doctor or a singer, people will find a way to bring you down."

The star added: "I always tell people that if you have something you’re really passionate about, don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it."