Gomez's duet with late namesake Selena

Selena Gomez was "extremely honoured" to 'duet' with slain Tejano singer Selena on a new posthumous tribute album - because the late star has been a "big influence" throughout her life.

The Disney sensation, who was just two years old when the entertainer was gunned down by an overzealous fan in 1995, was named after Selena Quintanilla-Perez.

Gomez performs her idol's 1994 hit Bidi Bidi Bom Bom for new compilation album Enamorada de Ti, and she tells E! News, "I'm keeping her name alive."

The teen star spoke on the phone to Selena's father, Abraham Quintanilla Jr., during the recording session for the track and was overjoyed when he told her, "I want to thank you for participating in this project."

She replied, "I'm extremely honoured that you thought of me for this."