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Selena Gomez Biography

Sep 14, 2017

Birthday: July 22, 1992
Birthplace: Grande Prairie, Texas (US)
Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Barney and Friends

Selena Gomez, an only child, was born and raised in Grand Prairie, Texas. Her mother, Mandy Teefy, is a former stage actress. Selena’s first big role was on Barney and Friends where she played Gianna. Selena was discovered by Disney in a nation-wide talent search when she was 10 years old. In 2006, she guest starred in the second-season of The Suite Life of Zack and Cody.

Selena posing for AdidasSelena posing for AdidasCourtesy of Adidas

Rising Star BFFs

Selena is best friends with fellow former Barney and Friends actress and Disney Channel star Demi Lovato and the pair make YouTube Webcam videos together. When asked a question of when the pair became friends, Demi answered: "when I asked her to sit on my jacket and draw with crayons (at the Barney auditions)".

In 2007, Selena landed another Disney role when she appeared on Hannah Montana as Mikayla, a pop star who is Hannah’s rival.

Selena as Alex in WOWPSelena as Alex in WOWPCourtesy of Disney

Wizards of Waverly Place

Selena really hit the big time when she won the starring role of Alex Russo in Wizards of Waverly Place. It was Disney’s top-rated show for a long time, even more popular than Hannah Montana. She also launched her singing career, performing the theme song for WOWP and appearing on the soundtrack for 101 Dalmatians, and in Disneymania 6. Selena stared in Another Cinderella Story, the sequel to the hit movie A Cinderella Story, and a film with her BFF Demi Lovato called Princess Protection Program.

Goodbye Disney, Hello Diva

Just as Wizards was coming to a close, Selena's musical career was taking flight, she started out with her band Selena and The Scene releasing the albums Kiss & Tell, A Year Without Rain and When the Sun Goes Down. By 2013 she was ready to take on the music world solo, and came out with a dance track-heavy album that got everyone moving - Stars Dance.

Album art for Stars DanceAlbum art for Stars Dance

Dominating the charts didn't stop Selena from pursuing acting as well, she starred in several movies: Monte Carlo, Spring Breakers, The Muppets and Rudderless (to name a few.)

Selena's career wasn't the only thing in overdrive, her high profile on-again/off-again relationship with singer Justin Bieber inspired her, even when it wasn't going very well (let's just say Justin started out as a prince and turned into a bad boy.)

Listen to "The Heart Wants What it Wants" by Selena Gomez below.

 

Did You Know?

  • Selena sings three songs on the soundtrack to Another Cinderella Story.
  • In the Jonas Brothers music video for "Burnin' Up," Selena plays Nick's Girl.
  • Selena was the voice of the Mayor’s daughter in Horton Hears a Who!
  • Selena loves wearing Converse sneakers.
  • Her favorite band is Paramore.
  • Selena looks up to Rachel McAdams, her favorite actress.
  • She is the voice of Mavis in Hotel Transylvania
  • In 2015 Selena confirmed that she had been diagnosed with the auto-immune disease, lupus.

Have Your Say

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