when camila cabello first heard she scored 2019 grammy award nominations in two categories, she had to read the news in order to believe it herself.

"i don't want to get my hopes up and then be sad, so i didn't -- and i was just very surprised!" she tells billboardbefore iheartradio's jingle ball in new york on friday night (dec. 7). cabello had tuned in to watch the announcement of the nominations earlier that morning. she didn't hear them announce that she was up for best pop solo performance (for a live version of her breakthrough solo smash, "havana") and best pop vocal album (for her solo debut, 2018's camila) on air, but when she went to read through the list of nominees, she knew it was time to celebrate.

ellos son los nominados a los grammy 2019: cardi b, camila cabello y más (fotos)

"we were watching the tv when they announced it, and they didn't say my name, so i was like, oh, okay. whatever, i'm not nominated. then we [read] the list, and i was like, 'oh my god!'"

cabello is competing against her dear friend shawn mendes in the best pop vocal album category, but she'll be thrilled if he takes home the honor instead of her: "i love shawn. if he wins, it'll be like if i win." the two are constantly talking about the potential for another collaboration, and it's definitely a matter of logistics and "trying to be in the same place" than anything else.

for cabello's thoughts on the "genuine" and "rebellious" charli xcx, the confidence with which she's approaching her new album and more, check out the interview above.