Leighton Meester praises co-star Selena Gomez

"Gossip Girl's" Leighton Meester (Blair Waldorf) has recently been working with actress Selena Gomez on the sets of their new film "Monte Carlo", and Leighton couldn't help but praise the young actress. "She's the most amazing role model. She'll have full-on conversations with her fans - but they're only six years old. She is just so wonderful with them."

The 25-year-old actress said she enjoyed working with both Gomez and Katie Cassidy (also from "Gossip Girl") in "Monte Carlo".

As it turned out, the feeling is mutual. Gomez was all praise for co-stars, Cassidy and Meester. "They were the best girls I could ever be paired with, so sweet and protective, and I could go to them for anything."

The 18-year-old Disney star said they didn't get to hang out before the filming began. "Leighton was still wrapping (her TV series) "Gossip Girl", and Katie came in late, so we were kind of thrown into it. But it worked out."

Gomez had revealed, earlier this year, that she was jealous of Leighton's success. She said, "Leighton does such a good job, and I can't wait for people to see her in a different light."

Rumor has it that the young actress is playing a role originally designed for the Oscar-winning star of "The Hours", 44-year-old Nicole Kidman, in the comedy "Monte Carlo".

The movie was initially based on a novel called "Headhunters", a story of four middle-aged Midwestern women on a trip to France, but was later modified to a tale of three Texas gals falling in love and getting in trouble on the Riviera.

"It was based on a book geared toward older women," Gomez explained during a promotional tour in June. "But when Fox got a hold of it, they decided to make it younger. Nicole still wanted to be involved, so she became a producer."

Gomez spent two weeks practicing horseback riding for a scene in "Monte Carlo".

Although some teen stars insist they don't want to be seen as role models, Gomez thinks it's an honor to be held in an esteemed position by young fans.

"I don't necessarily mind it," she said. "It's not something I obviously set myself up to be, but it's a compliment, really. I do work really hard and try to be the best I can be. I'm not perfect. I make mistakes, I'm human and I still feel like I'm growing up. Growing up with my fans."