(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Selena Gomez has backtracked on comments she made claiming Justin Bieber is like her brother.

The singer-and-actress is rumoured to have been romancing the young pop star for several months, but only went public with their relationship at a Vanity Fair party in February. Selena has remained coy about her relationship with Justin and when she was interviewed by Ellen DeGeneres in September last year, she claimed he was like a little brother.

The 18-year-old star returned to Ellens popular talk show this week and the host wasted no opportunity in addressing the rumours.

"He's like your little brother? What do you have to say now?" Ellen teased.

Selena did her best to avoid discussing her relationship, insisting, "I don't know. I don't know."

Ellen refused to be dismissed and continued to press Selena to talk about her true feelings for Justin.

"You were trying to hide it still, right? But now you've made it public," she said, before adding, "You went to the Vanity Fair party [together] and made me a fool."

Selena insisted she hadnt intentionally tried to deceive Ellen, before admitting she finds it easy to relate to Justin. "I promise you, I didn't, she vowed. I didn't lie to you. I'll say that.

He's just sweet.

Ellen suggested Selena should feel comfortable about discussing her romance with 17-year-old Justin, before claiming it will be impossible for them to keep their relationship under wraps.

"He's sweet as can be. But he's not like your little brother, is he? Ellen continued. No, he's not. And he's a fantastic guy. You can't try to hide that forever. I know you all were sneaking around but that's crazy. You're both huge stars, and you can't hide from us.

"No, you didn't blatantly lie. A little brother is not someone you want to date."

Selena eventually conceded she didnt see Justin as a younger sibling. "Well, no," she replied to Ellen. "That would be weird." (C) Cover Media