Selena Gomez says Blackpink collaboration was ‘a no-brainer’

Dec. 17 (UPI) — Selena Gomez says collaborating with South Korean girl group Blackpink was “a no-brainer.”

The 28-year-old singer and actress discussed “Ice Cream,” her song with the K-pop group, in the Dec. 19 issue of Billboard magazine.

Gomez and Blackpink released “Ice Cream” in August. The song, which appears on Blackpink’s album The Album, debuted at No. 13 on the Hot 100 and became Blackpink’s highest-charting U.S. hit to date.

Gomez said her collaboration with Blackpink allowed her “to step into a whole different world” and push herself creatively.

“Blackpink is an incredible group and their album is awesome, and I thought it would be so fun to step into a whole different world, so it was a no-brainer,” the star said.

“It was very different from any music I’ve done, but that was the point.. The idea of doing something with a dominant girl group, bringing their culture here — and obviously they did equal for me over there — it just seemed so perfect,” she added.

Gomez and Blackpink’s music video for “Ice Cream” passed 400 million views on YouTube in November.

In the interview, Gomez also discussed her third studio album, Rare, released in January. She said her success from the album was “bittersweet,” as the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States just weeks later.

“There’s this bittersweet feeling, of course,” the singer said. “I would much rather the world be in a better place. Yet at the same time, it was so beautiful to see that my music could hopefully bring some people some sort of joy in the midst of it.”

In addition, Gomez teased new music, saying she has “a whole little vessel of good things coming.”

Moments from Selena Gomez’s career

Singer Selena Gomez arrives for the American Music Awards in Los Angeles on November 24, 2019. She performed new music at the event. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Gomez (R) and her sister Grace Teefey attend the premiere of the animated musical comedy “Frozen II” premiere in Los Angeles on November 7, 2019. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Gomez attends the premiere of comedy “Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation” in Los Angeles on June 30, 2018. Photo by Patrick Rideaux/UPI | License Photo

Gomez arrives on the red carpet at “The Dead Don’t Die” on June 10, 2019, in New York City. In a press conference for the film, Gomez called social media a dangerous influence in society. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

Bill Murray (L) and Gomez joke on the red carpet at the Cannes International Film Festival. In early 2019, Gomez returned to social media after being hospitalized. Photo by David Silpa/UPI | License Photo

Gomez speaks onstage during WE Day California in Inglewood, Calif., on April 25, 2019. WE Day, billed as the world’s largest youth empowerment event, brought together 16,000 California students for a day of live musical performances and stories of leadership and change. Photo by Ken Matsui/UPI | License Photo

Gomez is joined onstage by Nellie Mainor, a young fan who, like Selena, has dealt with her own serious health battles during WE Day California in Inglewood, Calif., on April 19, 2018. “Last year, I had a kidney transplant and it was weird,” Gomez told the audience. “It was weird, but hard.” Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Gomez arrives for WE Day California on April 19, 2018. WE Charity, formerly known as Free The Children, is a worldwide development charity and youth empowerment movement founded in 1995 by human rights advocates Craig Kielburger and Marc Kielburger. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Gomez attends the Fashion Awards in London on December 4, 2017. In November 2017, Gomez was deemed Billboard’s Woman of the Year. Photo by Rune Hellestad/ UPI | License Photo

Gomez arrives for the annual American Music Awards in Los Angeles, on November 19, 2017. She had performed for the first time in a year during the event following reports she had gotten back together with Justin Bieber after splitting with The Weeknd. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Gomez (L) and The Weeknd arrive on the red carpet at the Costume Institute Benefit at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on May 1, 2017. The two had officially announced being in a relationship in April 2017. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

Gomez speaks with Miss Piggy in this video during WE Day California on April 27, 2017. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Gomez performs onstage at WE Day California on April 7, 2016. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Gomez arrives for the American Music Awards in Los Angeles on November 20, 2016. She delivered a candid speech after winning Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Gomez (L) and Taylor Swift arrive for the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on February 15, 2016. Gomez played her new music for Swift and Swift’s mother, which elicited a supportive and emotional response. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Gomez arrives for the American Music Awards in Los Angeles on November 22, 2015. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Gomez performs on the runway at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in New York City on November 10, 2015. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

Selena Gomez performs on the runway at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show on November 10, 2015. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

Gomez arrives on the red carpet when Glamour Celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Woman of the Year Awards on November 9, 2015 in New York City. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

Gomez performs on the NBC’s “Today” in New York City on October 12, 2015. She alsoset the record straight in an interview about her career, relationships and body shaming. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

Gomez arrives on the red carpet for the MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles on August 30, 2015. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo