Selena Marie Gomez (born July 22, 1992) is an American actress and singer. Gomez first made her debut appearing as Gianna in Barney & Friends, lasting from 2002 to 2004. Following this, Gomez had cameo roles in films such as Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over (2003) and Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire (2005). In 2006, Gomez appeared as a guest star on an episode of the Disney Channel series The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, as well as Hannah Montana. Following this, Gomez starred in the Disney Channel television series Wizards of Waverly Place.
The series was a critical and commercial success, earning Gomez
numerous awards and nominations. Gomez later appeared in numerous Disney
Channel series and films including Jonas Brothers: Living the Dream (2008) and Disney Channel Games (2008). In 2009, Gomez appeared in the films Princess Protection Program and Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie before releasing her first studio album as Selena Gomez & the Scene, titled Kiss & Tell. The album was a commercial success, peaking inside the Top 10 of the Billboard 200.
Following this, Gomez appeared in the film Ramona and Beezus, one of her first roles outside of Disney. Gomez & the Scene released their second studio album, A Year Without Rain, later that year. The album entered the Top 5 of the Billboard 200, and spawned two Top 40 hits. Gomez began appearing in more films such as Monte Carlo (2011) and The Muppets (2011). Gomez, along with her band, later released their third studio album, When the Sun Goes Down, in 2011. The album spawned the hit single "Love You Like a Love Song",
which was certified 4× Platinum by the RIAA. Following the release of
the album, Gomez confirmed she would be taking a musical hiatus to focus
on her acting career. She then went on to appear in the films Hotel Transylvania (2012) and Spring Breakers (2013), the latter of which saw Gomez portraying a more adult role.
Despite her early comments of a musical hiatus, Gomez confirmed in
October 2012 that she was working on her solo debut album. The lead
single, "Come & Get It", was released in April 2013. It became her first Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and was certified double platinum by the RIAA. The album's second single, "Slow Down", was released in June. Gomez has since announced plans of a second musical hiatus following the release of Stars Dance
in July. Outside of her work in the entertainment industry, Gomez is
involved in philanthropic activities through charity work and various social and environmental causes.
Selena Marie Gomez was born in Grand Prairie, Texas to Ricardo Joel Gomez and former stage actress Amanda Dawn "Mandy" Cornett. Gomez was named after Tejano singer Selena, who died almost three years after Gomez was born. Her father is of Mexican descent while her mother, who was adopted, has some Italian ancestry. Regarding her Hispanic heritage, Gomez has stated, "My family does have Quinceañeras,
and we go to the communion church. We do everything that's Catholic,
but we don't really have anything traditional except [that we] go to the
park and have barbecues on Sundays after church."Her birth parents divorced when she was five years old, and she was
raised as an only child by her working mother, who had her when she was
16. This led to the family having financial troubles, with her mother struggling to provide for them.
On the situation, Gomez stated "I was frustrated that my parents
weren't together, and never saw the light at the end of the tunnel where
my mom was working hard to provide a better life for me. I'm terrified
of what I would have become if I'd stayed [in Texas]. On June 12, 2013, Mandy and her second husband Brian Teefey had a daughter named Gracie Elliot Teefey.
Gomez met Demi Lovato while they were auditioning for Barney and Friends. The two became close friends and would later participate in various roles together. She earned a high school diploma through homeschooling in May 2010. Gomez officially earned her first role in 2002 when she was selected to appear on the children's television series Barney and Friends as the recurring character Gianna.
She appeared in a total of sixteen episodes, with her final appearance
being in 2004. Gomez later stated that her age had led to her departure
from the show, with producers feeling she was getting too old. In 2003, Gomez made a cameo in the film Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over, making it her film debut. Following this, Gomez began appearing in various commercials. In 2005, she had a cameo role in the television film Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire as Julie. Gomez later guest starred in an episode of the Disney Channel series The Suite Life of Zack & Cody in 2006.