Selena Gomez

Selena Gomez: Actress, singer, and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

Selena Marie Gomez (born July 22, 1992) is an American actress, singer, songwriter, businesswoman, and producer. She began her career as a child actress on Barney & Friends (2002–2004) and rose to fame as Alex Russo on Disney Channel's Wizards of Waverly Place (2007–2012). She signed with Hollywood Records in 2008 and formed Selena Gomez & the Scene, releasing three albums. She has released three solo albums: Stars Dance (2013), Revival (2015), and Rare (2020), and launched the Spanish EP Revelación (2021).

Quick Facts

Role: Featured Vocalist
Affiliation: Guest Artist on Music of the Spheres
First collaboration: 2021 (Album 'Music of the Spheres')
Primary contribution: Vocals on 'Let Somebody Go'
Era association: Music of the Spheres Period

Lore & Background

Gomez was born in Grand Prairie, Texas, to Ricardo Joel Gomez and Amanda Dawn Teefey. Her parents divorced when she was five, and she was raised by her mother. She has a half-sister, Victoria Gomez, and a stepbrother, Marcus. She earned her high school diploma through homeschooling in May 2010. Her mother had her at age 16, and the family faced financial difficulties. Gomez is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and advocates for mental health and equality. She founded Rare Beauty and the Rare Impact Fund. She has been recognized in Forbes 30 Under 30 (2016 and 2020) and Time 100 (2020), and received awards including Billboard's Woman of the Year (2017) and Latin Woman of the Year (2025).

Reader's Guide

Gomez's career began with Barney & Friends (2002–2004) and small roles in Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over (2003) and Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire (2005). She rose to prominence with Wizards of Waverly Place (2007–2012), earning an ALMA Award and five Kids' Choice Awards. She formed Selena Gomez & the Scene, releasing Kiss & Tell (2009), A Year Without Rain (2010), and When the Sun Goes Down (2011). Her solo albums include Stars Dance (2013), Revival (2015), and Rare (2020). She starred in films such as Another Cinderella Story (2008), Monte Carlo (2011), Spring Breakers (2012), the Hotel Transylvania franchise (2012–2022), The Fundamentals of Caring (2016), The Dead Don't Die (2019), and Emilia Pérez (2024). She produced 13 Reasons Why (2017–2020) and Selena + Chef (2020–2023), and has played a lead role in Only Murders in the Building since 2021.

Did You Know?

Gomez was named after Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla.
She has called herself 'a proud third-generation American-Mexican'.
She earned her first entry on the US Billboard Hot 100 with 'Naturally' as part of Selena Gomez & the Scene, peaking at No. 29 in 2010.
Gomez's accolades include an Actor Award, an American Music Award, a Billboard Music Award, a Cannes Film Festival Award, and two MTV Video Music Awards.