Selena Gomez, born July 22, 1992, is an American actress, singer, producer, and businesswoman.
She gained fame as a child actress on Barney & Friends and starred in Disney’s Wizards of Waverly Place.
Gomez has released multiple successful albums, including Revival and Rare, with hits like Lose You to Love Me.
Recently, she faced backlash for an emotional video expressing sorrow over U.S. immigration policies under Donald Trump, which she later deleted amid criticism.
Parents
Selena was born to Mandy Teefey and Ricardo Joel Gomez on July 22, 1992, in Texas. Her parents, who were teenagers when they had her, divorced when she was five years old.
Selena has expressed admiration for her mother, who worked multiple jobs to support them.
Rick Gomez, her father, has since remarried and has two children with his new wife. Despite their separation, he has maintained a supportive relationship with Selena from a distance.
Career
Gomez began her career as a child actress on Barney & Friends (2002-2004) before gaining fame as Alex Russo in Disney’s Wizards of Waverly Place (2007-2012), which earned her several awards.
She transitioned to film with roles in Ramona and Beezus (2010) and Spring Breakers (2012). Additionally, Gomez has produced projects like 13 Reasons Why and starred in Only Murders in the Building (2021-present).
Recently, she expressed a preference for acting over music, indicating a shift in her career focus.
In her early beginnings, Selena started her acting career at a young age, appearing in the children’s series Barney & Friends from 2002 to 2004.
Selena rose to prominence as Alex Russo in the Disney Channel series Wizards of Waverly Place, which aired from 2007 to 2012.
The show was highly successful and earned her several awards, including an Emmy Award for Outstanding Children’s Program. This role solidified her status as a teen icon.
After her success on Disney, Selena starred in several films. In 2010, she appeared in Ramona and Beezus, a family comedy based on the beloved book series.
In 2012, she took on a darker, more mature role in Spring Breakers, showcasing her range as an actress alongside Vanessa Hudgens and James Franco.
Other notable films include Hotel Transylvania (2012) and its sequels, where she voiced the character Mavis.
In 2021, Selena co-starred in the Hulu mystery-comedy series Only Murders in the Building alongside Steve Martin and Martin Short.
The show received critical acclaim and has been praised for its clever writing and strong performances. It has also been renewed for additional seasons.
In terms of her music career, Selena formed the band Selena Gomez & the Scene in 2009, releasing albums like Kiss & Tell (2009) and A Year Without Rain (2010). The group achieved commercial success with hits such as Naturally and Who Says.
In 2015, Selena launched her solo music career with the album Revival, which included chart-topping singles like Good for You and Same Old Love.
The album marked a significant evolution in her musical style and image.
Her 2020 album Rare featured the hit single Lose You to Love Me, which became her first number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100.
Beyond acting and music, Selena has ventured into production.
She served as an executive producer for the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why, which tackled complex issues such as mental health and suicide.
In 2020, Selena launched Rare Beauty, a cosmetics line focused on promoting self-acceptance and mental health awareness.
