Selena Gomez cancels her Australian tour for some `me time'

US singer and actor Selena Gomez has cancelled her Australian tour. The reason? To 'spend some time on myself'.

Selena Gomez performs in Boston earlier this month. Picture: Mike Coppola/Getty Images

SELENA Gomez has abruptly cancelled her February Australian tour to embark on some self improvement.

In one of the most bizarre reasons for cancelling a tour, Gomez' surprise statement read ``My fans are so important to me and I would never want to disappoint them. But it has become clear to me and those close to me that after many years of putting my work first, I need to spend some time on myself in order to be the best person I can be. To my fans, I sincerely apologise and I hope you guys know how much each and every one of you mean to me."

The cancellation of what was to be her first Australian tour came as surprise to Gomez' local promoter.

Cancellations are often code for poor sales but industry sources say Gomez' tour was selling strongly, due to a loyal fan base from her days as a child star.

Her statement suggests personal issues may be at hand, however Gomez, 21, has so far avoided the stints in rehab and controversy other Disney stars have fallen prey to.

But eyebrows were raised at her last public appearance, at a radio concert in LA on December 7 when Gomez dropped an F bomb and walked off stage when her microphone failed.

She cut her set short and clips of her appearing agitated on stage went viral.

Gomez, has also axed a string of Asian dates due to take place in January before her Australian tour.

She was due to play shows in each state.

She has yet to comment on the cancellation on her Twitter page.

Gomez' Stars Dance tour ended in the US on November 26, with the singer on a break since.

The tour was not an extensive one by pop standards - it started in August and played 42 shows in North America and 13 in Europe.

She told News Corp in October she was enjoying the tour so much she personally decided to add the Asian and Australian dates and put her film career on hold.

``I get bummed out when I switch into films from music," Gomez said. ``I get to a place where I think I'm really great on stage, then I run away for a few months on a film, then I have to come back and piece it all back together. So after the American leg when get to Australia it's going to be in my body so well."

Her good girl reputation survived a stint dating pop brat Justin Bieber - Gomez accompanied him on his first Australian tour two years ago.

She told News Corp she had no problem tailoring her live show to a younger audience.

``There's a reason those little kids are still in the crowd. I carry myself the way I've always carried myself. I respect that. I respect the trust I have with that crowd. And the parents. They get it. I have to be confident in my skin, I am a woman. I want to be proud of who I am and be confident in that, but at the same time remember the kids who like me. That's why I have that connection with that audience, I say you have room to grow, there's so much more to do, but don't let everything else pressure you. I'm allowed to grind on a chair, I'm 21 years old, but I'm not telling them to do that. It's super-easy to me."

Refunds for all Gomez's Australian shows are available from point of purchase.

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