Selena Gomez talks new music and upcoming 30th birthday

While some people may dread turning 30, Selena Gomez says she's looking forward to celebrating her milestone birthday on July 22.

Telling People she's "excited" to turn the big 3-0, Gomez said, "I love growing up. When I was younger, I was scared of it, and I thought by now my life would look so different."

Now, the singer says, "I'm like, 'Wow, this is not what I ever expected, and I couldn't be more thrilled.'"

She divulged the good reason she has for being enthusiastic about getting older: "I stopped caring about what people have to say, and that's been wonderful."

During her interview with People, Gomez, who earned her first Grammy nomination for her "Revelación" album last year, also noted the positive effect it had on her music.

She said receiving the honor from the Recording Academy motivated her and lit a "good fire under my a--."

Gomez, who says she "put my heart and soul" into "Revelación," is working hard on her next studio effort -- although she admits that Grammy nod has now made her "more nervous" about her new work.

She did not reveal the title nor release date of her upcoming studio album.