EXCLUSIVE: Selena Gomez Says She's 'in a Really Happy Place,' Reveals the Secret Behind Her Chic Bob

Selena Gomez is all smiles!

The 24-year-old singer was the host of this year's WE Day celebration at The Forum in Inglewood, California, on Thursday, where she gave us an update on her personal life, what's next for her hit Netflix series and the reason why the event holds extra special meaning to her.

WATCH: Selena Gomez and '13 Reasons Why' Cast Members Get Meaningful Matching Tattoos

"This is my fifth time being a part of WE Day and second time hosting. I'm just more here to encourage these kids and tell stories with them," she told ET's Katie Krause of her involvement with the event, which celebrates a year of action that transformed communities and changed lives. "Because, there's nothing more beautiful than seeing how all these kids that are here today actually earned being here. They want to give back to their community, they want to inspire other kids to do the same."

When asked who inspires her, the Texas native adorably credited her mother, Mandy Teefey.

"My mom. Yeah, she is constantly challenging me, my character," she revealed. "She's, you know, my morals, who I am. It's nice to have that person, that reflection, that can be there and say, 'Hey, are you good? Is this really you? Are you being authentic to yourself, and are you being good to people?'"

WATCH: See Selena Gomez's Dramatically Shorter, Chic Bob!

Gomez hit the carpet in a beautiful, white-and-blue ensemble, which consisted of high-waisted pants, an off-the-shoulder top and stilettos.

She later changed into a pair of comfy blue jeans, a black T-shirt emblazoned with a giant red kiss mark and strappy black heels while playing master of ceremonies.

On the carpet, we noticed the brunette beauty's hair was much longer than the short, chic bob she debuted via Instagram earlier this week. She told ET that her dramatic "new 'do" was actually fake!

"Yes, it was a wig," she confirmed. "It was a wig, everyone!"

WATCH: Selena Gomez Posts First Pic of the Weeknd to Her Instagram

And although Gomez admitted she didn't really change her look, she was still glowing when we asked her to gush about the remarkable year she's had thus far. As her fans may recall, the pop star took a brief break from the spotlight last August to deal with anxiety and depression caused by lupus. She made her triumphant return at the American Music Awards three months later.

"I think it's empowering when you're able to do things on your own," she explained. "I started [my career] when I was so young, so in a way, a lot of things were -- they helped guide me, and they helped build stuff with me. So, the older I've gotten, I've realized I don't want to be a part of something unless I'm truly passionate, I truly created it, unless I feel like it means something. So, maybe it's just getting older?"

Part of that happiness is due to the massive success she's had as an executive producer on 13 Reasons Why. When asked what her highlight moment of 2017 has been, she said, "Honestly, the show."

"13 Reasons Why was a really big moment for me, just because we had the book for seven years and we worked so hard on it," she exclaimed. "But, everything. You know, my personal life, and my family and my friends, I'm just, I'm in a really happy place. It's been good."

WATCH: Selena Gomez and '13 Reasons Why' Cast Say Season 2 Is Possible: 'People Want to Know More'