Austin Mahone Denies Dating Rumors With Selena Gomez; Says ‘We’re Just Friends’

Pop singer Austin Mahone, who was recently rumored to be dating Selena Gomez, has said there is nothing between the two. According to reports, Mahone, 17, and Gomez, 21, were set up by Gomez’s friend, Taylor Swift, but Mahone denied all rumors.

“We’re just friends,” Mahone reportedly said at the Aquafina FlavorSplash press conference on Wednesday, in response to the rumors. “She’s really cool. I mean, I think she’s really pretty but every time I’m in L.A., she’s like ‘Hey you’re in L.A., lets hang out.’”

A source close to both the pop stars told People: “Maybe they are more than just friends but they are certainly not dating.”

"They’ve been hanging out over the last few months,” the source added. “They have a lot of respect for each other.”

Mahone, who is reportedly compared to Justin Bieber and sometimes also referred to as his look-alike, was seen with Gomez at the Beats Music concert in Los Angeles on Jan. 24. A source reportedly said that they “sneaked out separately” and “then got in the same car.”

Mahone confirmed his friendship with Gomez to People at the Universal Music Group 2014 Post Grammy Party last weekend, saying: “We’re super close friends. She has some new music coming out. She showed me some of her music and it’s incredible.”

Gomez last week reportedly told Seventeen magazine that she is still looking for her next boyfriend.

“I haven't found someone yet who could understand my lifestyle, support it, love me through it, and not be threatened by it. It's hard. I do think I might scare some guys, because I'm like, 'I want to change the world! I have dreams! What do you want to do?' But I only know how to be me.”