Selena Gomez Reveals the Best Piece of Advice She Got from Another Woman: ‘It Actually Does Work!’ (Exclusive)

Selena Gomez is sharing some special words of wisdom she’s received from her peers.

At the 2024 ELLE‘s Women in Hollywood event at the Four Seasons Hotel in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Nov. 19, Gomez, 32, revealed to PEOPLE the best advice she’s received from another woman to mark the special night celebrating the industry’s leading ladies.

“I know this sounds silly, but someone once said, ‘Don’t take yourself too seriously,’ ” the singer and actress tells PEOPLE. “Because it allows you to have room and empathy and compassion, and you can go into a film or a character and be able to really appreciate that.”

“That was from an actress that I really respect,” shares Gomez, who sported a sparkling Ralph Lauren suit. “I know it sounds weird, but it actually does work when you get to enjoy it and not be in your head so much.”

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Gomez attended Tuesday’s event, where she also honored, with her Emilia Pérez costars Zoe Saldaña and Karla Sofía Gascón.

The trio joined a star-studded guest list that included Cameron Diaz, Julianne Moore, Tilda Swinton, Demi Moore, Saoirse Ronan and Danielle Deadwyler.

Gomez’s appearance at the bash comes after she opened up in an interview with ELLE earlier this month about her inspiring experience working with another great actress — her costar onOnly Murders in the Building, Meryl Streep.

The Disney alum revealed that she “barely spoke” to Streep on her first day on set after the 75-year-old joined the show in 2023 for season 3. She then shared she was left in awe of Streep’s professionalism and leadership on set while filming together.

“I remember being on set with Meryl Streep, trying to shoot her side so that she could go home and have the next day off. Toward the end of the day, she said, ‘Wait, no, why aren’t we turning around?’ And they said, ‘Oh, we’ll do that tomorrow.’ And she goes, ‘No, no, I must come in, I should be here for them,’ ” Gomez said.

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“It was so classy and showed that she really still loved the craft and that she wanted to be there for us too,” Gomez continued. “I’ll never forget her being barefoot, singing on set, just loving what she’s doing.”

“I want that spirit, I want to always love what I do and be there for people,” she added.