Selena Gomez

Early Life and Background

Selena Marie Gomez was born on July 22, 1992, in Grand Prairie, Texas, to Ricardo Joel Gomez and Amanda Dawn "Mandy" Cornett. Her father is of Mexican descent while her mother has Italian ancestry. Gomez was named after Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla-Pérez.

Gomez's parents divorced when she was five years old, and she was raised primarily by her mother. She has described her childhood as "humble," with her mother often working multiple jobs to support them. Gomez began showing interest in performing at a young age, participating in school plays and talent shows.

At age seven, Gomez got her first acting role on the children's television series Barney & Friends, where she appeared alongside future Disney Channel co-star Demi Lovato. This early experience helped shape her passion for performing.

Career

Acting Career

Gomez's breakthrough came in 2007 when she was cast as Alex Russo in the Disney Channel series Wizards of Waverly Place. The show became a massive success, running for four seasons until 2012 and earning Gomez widespread recognition and several awards.

During and after her Disney years, Gomez appeared in numerous films including:

• Another Cinderella Story (2008)
• Princess Protection Program (2009)
• Ramona and Beezus (2010)
• Monte Carlo (2011)
• Spring Breakers (2012)
• The Fundamentals of Caring (2016)
• The Dead Don't Die (2019)

In 2021, Gomez starred in the Hulu series Only Murders in the Building alongside Steve Martin and Martin Short, earning critical acclaim and demonstrating her range as a mature actress.

Music Career

Gomez began her music career in 2009 with her band Selena Gomez & the Scene, releasing three studio albums that blended pop and dance music. The band achieved commercial success with hits like "Naturally," "Love You Like a Love Song," and "Who Says."

In 2013, Gomez embarked on a solo career with her debut album Stars Dance, which included the hit single "Come & Get It." She continued to evolve her sound with subsequent albums:

Production and Business Ventures

In 2008, Gomez launched her production company, July Moon Productions, which was later renamed Uncommon Productions. Through this venture, she has produced several projects including the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why and the HBO Max cooking show Selena + Chef.

In 2020, Gomez founded Rare Beauty, a cosmetics company focused on mental health awareness. The company donates 1% of all sales to the Rare Impact Fund, which supports mental health services.

Personal Life

Gomez has been open about her struggles with lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease, which led her to undergo a kidney transplant in 2017 with her friend Francia Raisa as the donor. She has also spoken candidly about her battles with anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder, becoming a prominent advocate for mental health awareness.

Gomez's high-profile relationships, particularly with Justin Bieber, have been widely covered by the media. She has stated that these experiences inspired much of her music, particularly her album Rare.

In 2020, Gomez purchased a $4.9 million home in the Encino neighborhood of Los Angeles, where she resides with her dogs.

Philanthropy and Activism

Gomez has been involved in numerous charitable causes throughout her career. Key initiatives include:

• UNICEF Ambassador since 2009, focusing on children's rights and education
• Raised over $3 million for COVID-19 relief through her Rare Impact Fund
• Advocate for immigration reform and DACA recipients
• Supporter of Black Lives Matter and LGBTQ+ rights
• Partnered with various organizations for lupus research and awareness

In 2021, Gomez launched the Mental Health 101 initiative through Rare Beauty, which provides mental health education in schools.

Awards and Achievements

Career Timeline

Cultural Impact and Legacy

Selena Gomez has left an indelible mark on popular culture. As one of the first Disney stars to successfully transition into adult entertainment, she paved the way for other child stars. Her openness about mental health struggles has helped destigmatize these issues for her millions of fans.

With over 400 million followers across social media platforms, Gomez is one of the most followed people in the world. Her influence extends beyond entertainment into fashion, beauty, and social causes.

Gomez's business acumen has been widely praised, with Rare Beauty valued at over $2 billion within two years of launch. She has demonstrated that celebrities can leverage their platform for both commercial success and social good.