Selena Gomez

Selena Marie Gomez was born on July 22, 1992, in Grand Prairie, Texas, a suburb of Dallas. Her parents are Ricardo Joel Gomez and Texas-born former stage actress Amanda Dawn "Mandy" (née Cornett) Teefey. She was named after Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla. Her father is of Mexican descent, while her mother, who was adopted, has Italian ancestry. Gomez's paternal grandparents emigrated to Texas from Monterrey, Mexico in the 1970s. She has called herself "a proud third-generation American-Mexican", and once said: "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 go to the park and have barbecues on Sundays after church." Her Spanish fluency waned after age seven, when she began working on television. Her mother and stepfather, Brian Teefey, later had a daughter, Gracie Elliot Teefey, born in 2013. Through her father and his second wife, Sara, she has a half-sister, Victoria "Tori" Gomez, and a stepbrother named Marcus. For most of her childhood, she was homeschooled, save for a brief period when she attended a traditional school as a young girl. She earned her high-school diploma through homeschooling in May 2010. Gomez was born when her mother was 16 years old. The family faced financial difficulties during her childhood, with her mother struggling to provide for the pair. Gomez recalled that they once searched for quarters to buy gasoline for their car, and her mother later said they often walked to a nearby dollar store to buy spaghetti for dinner. Gomez has said, "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]." She later added that her mother "was really strong around me. Having me at 16 had to have been a big responsibility. She gave up everything for me, had three jobs, supported me, sacrificed her life for me." Gomez had a close relationship with her grandparents as a child and appeared in various pageants. Her grandparents often took care of her while her parents finished their schooling, and she has said they "raised her" until she found success in show business. ==Career==

2002–2006: Career beginnings Gomez first gained an interest in pursuing a career in entertainment watching her mother prepare for stage productions. In 2002, she began her acting career on the children's television series Barney & Friends. She appeared in thirteen episodes between 2002 and 2004, as well as in two direct-to-video films associated with the series. Reflecting on the experience, she said, "I was very shy when I was little [...] I didn't know what 'camera right' was. I didn't know what blocking was. I learned everything from Barney." She added that after two seasons the producers felt she was "getting a little too old" for the series. She later guest-starred in a 2006 episode of the Disney Channel series The Suite Life of Zack & Cody. 2007–2012: Breakthrough with Disney and Selena Gomez & the Scene Gomez had a recurring role on the Disney Channel series Hannah Montana in 2007 as the rival pop star Mikayla. Gomez and her mother subsequently moved to Los Angeles. The series premiered in October 2007 and ran for four seasons. It became a major success for the network and established Gomez as a teen idol. The show received positive reviews, with critics highlighting Gomez's sarcastic delivery; Mary McNamara of the Los Angeles Times described her as "sweet and sassy" with "great comic timing". In 2008, Gomez voiced Helga in the animated film Horton Hears a Who!. She also starred as Mary Santiago in the direct-to-video teen musical comedy film Another Cinderella Story, the second installment in the A Cinderella Story series. Her performance earned her a Young Artist Award. She contributed songs to the film's soundtrack, including her debut single "Tell Me Something I Don't Know", which marked her first entry on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. At age 16, Gomez signed with Hollywood Records, and formed the production company July Moon Productions. In 2009, Gomez continued working with Disney Channel, guest-starring on Sonny with a Chance and reprising her role as Alex Russo in the crossover event Wizards on Deck with Hannah Montana. She also starred opposite Demi Lovato in the television film Princess Protection Program. Gomez next starred in Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie, a television film based on the series. The film premiered in August 2009 to an audience of 11.4 million viewers and ranked as the second-highest-rated cable television film of all time, behind High School Musical 2. Roxana Hadadi of The Washington Post wrote that the film is carried by the performances of its young leads—Gomez, David Henrie and Jake T. Austin. Gomez also recorded songs for the franchise's soundtrack, including "Magic". Later that year, she voiced Princess Selenia in Luc Besson's fantasy film Arthur and the Revenge of Maltazard and its 2010 sequel. Jingle Ball Under her Hollywood Records contract, Gomez formed the band Selena Gomez & the Scene. She had initially said that she wanted a band project rather than a solo act, but the label preferred to attach her name to the group because of her existing "fan base". The film was well received by critics; Roger Ebert described it as "a sweet salute" and found both actresses "appealing". In 2011, she starred in the romantic comedy Monte Carlo, playing the dual roles of Grace and British heiress Cordelia Winthrop-Scott, alongside Leighton Meester and Katie Cassidy. The film received mixed reviews, and her dual performance drew mixed responses from critics, with some finding her portrayal of Cordelia unconvincing. She also made a cameo appearance in the film The Muppets, and hosted the MuchMusic Video Awards and the MTV Europe Music Awards. 2012–2014: Stars Dance and films During 2012, Selena Gomez & the Scene went on hiatus, which eventually became a permanent split. Gomez described her time with the band as an "exploratory period", before deciding to pursue a solo music career. That year, Wizards of Waverly Place officially ended its run on the Disney Channel after four seasons. Gomez starred in Harmony Korine's independent crime film Spring Breakers (2012), alongside James Franco, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Benson and Rachel Korine. The film premiered at the 69th Venice International Film Festival, and was released in March 2013. She portrayed Faith, a religious college student whose spring break trip takes a criminal turn. The role marked a departure from her Disney image and reflected her effort to take on projects that pushed her as an actor. Spring Breakers received generally positive reviews from critics, and was later described as a cult classic. Manohla Dargis of The New York Times wrote that the film gave Gomez "the chance to simulate the behavior that feeds the tabloids" without the "humiliations" or "career-crushing price" associated with it. Gomez voiced Mavis Dracula in the animated film Hotel Transylvania. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2012, and was released theatrically later that month to mixed reviews. It was commercially successful, grossing US$358 million worldwide. In 2013, she starred alongside Ethan Hawke in the action thriller Getaway. The film was widely panned by critics and became a box-office bomb, with some critics describing her as miscast. That year, she served as executive producer and reprised her role as Alex Russo in the Disney Channel television special The Wizards Return: Alex vs. Alex. '' in 2013 Despite earlier claims that she would take a break from music, Gomez released "Come & Get It" in April 2013 as the lead single from her solo debut album. It became Gomez's first top-ten entry on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number six, and also reached the top ten in Canada and the UK. The album, Stars Dance, was released in July 2013. Rooted in EDM and electropop, it debuted atop the US Billboard 200 with first-week sales of 97,000 copies, The record received mixed reviews from music critics, some of whom felt she had yet to establish a distinct musical identity. Its second single, "Slow Down", achieved moderate success. Gomez embarked on her Stars Dance Tour in August 2013. After performing in North America and Europe, she canceled the Australian and Asian legs of the tour in December 2013, citing a desire to take time for herself. In January 2014, it was reported that she had spent two weeks in treatment at the Meadows facility in Arizona. She later revealed in 2015 that she had been diagnosed with lupus and had undergone chemotherapy, which had led her to cancel tour dates in 2013. In 2014, Gomez had a supporting role in the drama Rudderless, the directorial debut of William H. Macy, and starred in the teen comedy Behaving Badly. The former received mixed reviews, while the latter was critically panned, though critics deemed Gomez's performance superior to the film. That year, she ended her management arrangement with her mother and stepfather, who had managed her since her Disney years. The Hollywood Reporter reported that the move reflected a strategy to pursue more adult-oriented work in film and music. She subsequently signed with the WME and Brillstein companies to manage her career. In November 2014, Gomez released the single "The Heart Wants What It Wants" and confirmed that she would issue a compilation album to complete her contract with her label. The song became her second top-ten hit in the US. which debuted at number twenty-four in the US. Gomez officially parted ways with Hollywood Records and signed with Interscope Records in December 2014. 2015–2016: Revival While working on her then-upcoming second studio album, Gomez collaborated with German DJ and producer Zedd on "I Want You to Know", released in February 2015, which peaked at number seventeen in the US. the film received mixed reviews and was a commercial success, grossing US$475 million worldwide. She also made a cameo appearance in Adam McKay's film The Big Short. '' in 2015 Gomez released her second studio album, Revival, in October 2015. Primarily a dance-pop and electropop record with R&B influences, it received positive reviews from critics, who praised its production and lyrical content. Writing for Rolling Stone, Brittany Spanos described the album as "the sound of a newly empowered pop artist growing into her strengths like never before." In retrospective commentary, some critics described Revival as an influential pop album of the late 2010s. The album opened at number one on the US Billboard 200 with 117,000 album units in its first week. It was supported by the singles "Good for You" featuring rapper ASAP Rocky, "Same Old Love", "Hands to Myself" and "Kill Em with Kindness". "Good for You" debuted at number one on the Digital Song Sales chart with first-week sales of 179,000 copies—the highest sales week of her career for a single. The song peaked at number five in the US, The album's first three singles each reached the top ten in the US, In early 2016, Gomez continued promoting Revival and appeared as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live. She starred as Dot in the comedy-drama The Fundamentals of Caring, alongside Paul Rudd; it premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, and was released on Netflix in June 2016. It received positive reviews. She also appeared in the comedy film Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising (2016). Later that year, Gomez had a supporting role in the drama film In Dubious Battle, starring and directed by James Franco. The film premiered at the 73rd Venice International Film Festival to mixed reviews. Gomez embarked on her worldwide Revival Tour in May 2016. She began working on her third studio album while touring and added a new song titled "Feel Me" to the tour's setlist; it was later released in 2020. After touring North America, Asia and Oceania, she canceled her European and South American dates in August 2016 to seek treatment for anxiety, panic attacks and depression caused by lupus. an international success that reached the top ten in the US, Australia, France and Spain, and topped the chart in Italy. She also appeared on Cashmere Cat's "Trust Nobody". In November 2016, Gomez made her first public appearance in several months at the American Music Awards, She also received two Billboard Music Award nominations, including Top Female Artist. 2017–2019: Standalone releases and 13 Reasons Why Gomez and Norwegian DJ Kygo released the single "It Ain't Me" in February 2017. The collaboration reached the top ten on most major music charts worldwide, including the US and the UK, and attained top five peaks in Australia, Canada, Germany and many European countries. It later received nominations for Top Dance/Electronic Song at the Billboard Music Awards and Best Dance at the MTV Video Music Awards. Gomez served as an executive producer on the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why, an adaptation of Jay Asher's novel. She had initially been attached to portray Hannah Baker in a planned film adaptation before the project shifted to television, with Gomez remaining involved as an executive producer. The series premiered in March 2017. It drew criticism from mental health and suicide-prevention groups over its handling of sensitive themes. Gomez addressed the controversy, saying that the production aimed to remain faithful to the book and "do it justice," adding that backlash was inevitable and that "it’s not an easy subject to talk about." 13 Reasons Why was the most-watched original streaming series of 2018, and concluded after four seasons in June 2020. In May 2017, Gomez released the single "Bad Liar", accompanied by a vertical music video available exclusively on Spotify; it was the first music video to premiere on the platform. The song peaked at number twenty in the US, with some deeming it Gomez's best song to date; Billboard ranked it as the best song of 2017. Two months later, she released "Fetish" featuring rapper Gucci Mane. In October, Gomez and music producer Marshmello released the single "Wolves". The song was a commercial success, and reached the top ten on charts in Australia, Canada, the UK, and several European countries, peaking at number twenty in the US. In May 2018, Gomez released the single "Back to You" from the soundtrack to the second season of 13 Reasons Why. It reached the top ten in Australia, Canada, and several European countries, and peaked within the top twenty in the US and the UK. In July, Gomez reprised the voice role of Mavis in Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation. With a worldwide gross of US$528 million, the film was a commercial success, and received mixed to positive reviews. Later that year, she featured on DJ Snake's single "Taki Taki" alongside Ozuna and Cardi B. The single achieved global success, reaching the top-ten in Canada, France, Germany, and Italy, topping the charts in Spain and several Latin American countries, while peaking at number eleven in the US. and two Billboard Music Award nominations. In 2019, Gomez appeared on Julia Michaels's "Anxiety", and "I Can't Get Enough" with Benny Blanco, Tainy and J Balvin. Billboard noted that these standalone releases sustained her prominence throughout the streaming era. The film premiered as the opening film at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival, and received mixed reviews. That year, she also starred in Woody Allen's romantic comedy A Rainy Day in New York, alongside Timothée Chalamet and Elle Fanning. Amid renewed attention to the 1992 sexual abuse allegation against Allen prompted by the MeToo movement, Gomez donated over $1 million—more than her salary from the film—to the Time's Up initiative. The film garnered mixed reviews, but Gomez's performance was praised; Jessica Kiang of Variety wrote that she "comes out the best of the younger cast, husking her way through some of the film's better lines." Gomez served as an executive producer for the Netflix docuseries Living Undocumented, released in October 2019, which follows eight undocumented families in the US. In an op-ed for Time, she wrote that she joined the project after viewing footage that captured the "shame, uncertainty, and fear" her own family had experienced, as well as the "hope, optimism, and patriotism" many undocumented immigrants still hold. 2020–2023: Rare, Revelación, and Only Murders in the Building Gomez released her third studio album, Rare, in January 2020. Primarily a dance-pop record, it incorporates elements of R&B and electronic music. Critics responded positively, praising its production and cohesiveness, with several publications describing it as Gomez's best album to date. Jem Aswad of Variety labeled Rare "one of the best pop albums to be released in recent memory". The album debuted atop the Billboard 200 with 112,000 album-equivalent units in its first week, becoming her third consecutive number-one album in the US. It also topped the charts in Australia, Canada, and several territories, and peaked at number two in the UK. Rare was supported by the lead single "Lose You to Love Me", followed by the promotional single "Look at Her Now". "Lose You to Love Me" became Gomez's first number-one song in the US and Canada, and reached the top five on various national charts, including Australia and the UK. Two other singles were the title track and "Boyfriend". Gomez was also featured on the remix of Trevor Daniel's "Past Life", and collaborated with South Korean girl group Blackpink on "Ice Cream", which peaked at number thirteen in the US, and reached the top ten on the Billboard Global 200 and in South Korea. Beyond music, Gomez voiced a character in the adventure film Dolittle (2020), starring Robert Downey Jr. She then hosted and executive produced the HBO Max cooking show Selena + Chef, which premiered in August 2020 and was initially filmed remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The series ran for four seasons, and later expanded into additional Food Network spin-offs hosted and executive produced by Gomez. Her work across the franchise earned her three nominations for the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Culinary Program. In 2020, she also executive produced two films: the teen comedy-drama This Is the Year, and the romantic comedy The Broken Hearts Gallery; the latter received positive reviews from critics. That year, Gomez was honored by The Latin Recording Academy as one of the Leading Ladies of Entertainment, and Time named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Gomez released her first Spanish-language project, an EP titled Revelación, in March 2021, years after discussing the creation of a Spanish-language project. Incorporating reggaeton and latin pop with urbano elements, the project marked a stylistic departure from the dance-pop sound of Rare. It debuted at number twenty-two in the US and atop the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart, becoming the first release by a woman to achieve this in several years. The EP received positive reviews, and was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album. It was supported by the singles "Baila Conmigo" with Rauw Alejandro, and "Selfish Love" with DJ Snake. With Revelación and "Baila Conmigo", she became the first female act to top the US Latin Albums and Latin Airplay charts simultaneously in over a decade. In August, Gomez collaborated with Colombian singer Camilo on the single "999". Gomez starred in and executive produced the mystery-comedy series Only Murders in the Building alongside Steve Martin and Martin Short, portraying Mabel Mora. The series premiered in August 2021 and set a record as Hulu's most-watched comedy premiere day. Ahead of the premiere, Gomez said she felt more in control of her return to television and was glad to portray a character closer to her own age. The series has received critical acclaim since its debut. Critics praised the performances and chemistry among the main trio, while Gomez's portrayal of Mabel Mora drew particular notice for its dry, deadpan delivery and emotional poignancy. Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times wrote: "Gomez is a true co-star in the series and does a superb job of meshing with Martin and Short to form one of the more entertaining albeit unlikely friendship trios in recent memory." For her performance, Gomez won the Satellite Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy, and received nominations for the Critics' Choice Television Award and the Primetime Emmy Award, as well as four Golden Globe Award nominations, all for Best Actress in a Comedy Series. The cast won the SAG Award for Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy Series in 2025. As an executive producer, Gomez has received four Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Comedy Series. Gomez reprised her voice role as Mavis and served as an executive producer for the animated film Hotel Transylvania: Transformania. The film was released on Amazon Prime Video in January 2022 to mixed reviews. She collaborated with Coldplay on "Let Somebody Go", released as a single in February. In May, she hosted an episode of Saturday Night Live. She also executive produced the ViX+ docuseries Mi vecino, el cartel. In August 2022, Gomez was featured on the remix of Nigerian singer Rema's single "Calm Down". The song became an international hit, reaching number three on the Billboard Global 200 and the Hot 100. In the US, the song topped Billboards all-genre Radio Songs chart for ten weeks and set a record as the longest-running number-one in the history of the US Afrobeats Songs chart. It also became the longest-charting song both in the top ten and overall on Billboard Pop Airplay chart. Billboard described the track as "Afrobeats' biggest crossover hit." According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), it was the second best-selling song worldwide of 2023. At the 2023 Billboard Music Awards, it received five nominations, winning Top Afrobeats Song, and won Best Afrobeats at the MTV Video Music Awards. Gomez was the subject of the documentary film Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me, directed by Alek Keshishian. The film premiered at the AFI Fest in November 2022, and was subsequently released on Apple TV+ and in select theaters. It was met with a positive critical reception upon release, with critics noting its candid approach to mental health. Gomez released the song "My Mind & Me" to coincide with the documentary. In August, she released the standalone single "Single Soon". It reached the top twenty on the Billboard Global 200 and in the US. She said she had "never really intended on being a singer full-time", but "that hobby" evolved into a career during her days working with Disney. In February, she released the standalone single "Love On". '' (2024), all of whom were awarded the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actress Gomez starred in Jacques Audiard's Spanish-language musical crime film Emilia Pérez, portraying Jessi, the title character's wife. She took Spanish lessons for the role. The film premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, where Gomez and her co-stars—Karla Sofía Gascón, Adriana Paz, and Zoe Saldaña—jointly won the Best Actress Award. It received generally positive reviews, though it drew criticism for its depiction of Mexico and transgender identity. Critics praised Gomez's presence and emotional range, while some criticized her Spanish pronunciation. David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter noted that although her role is less central, she "plays both the hard edges and the vulnerability of a woman whose life has been uprooted twice and who needs to find her own happiness, even if it sets her on a dangerous path." Gomez received nominations for the BAFTA Award and Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress, while the ensemble cast was nominated for a Critics' Choice Movie Award and a SAG Award. Gomez co-produced and appeared in the documentary Louder: The Soundtrack of Change, released on HBO Max in October 2024. She also guest-starred in Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, a sequel series to Wizards of Waverly Place, reprising her role as Alex Russo, and served as an executive producer. Gomez cited her attachment to the original series as a reason for returning to the franchise. The series premiered on Disney Channel and Disney+ in October 2024. It was later announced that the series would conclude with a third and final season, slated for summer 2026, and that Gomez would make her directorial debut with the season premiere. It received positive reviews, with Rolling Stone critic Rob Sheffield praising its stylistic diversity and describing it as a celebration of Gomez and Blanco's real-life romance. The album debuted at number two on the Billboard 200, with 120,000 units, marking the largest sales week of her career. It also debuted within the top five in several countries, including Australia, Germany, and the UK. Three singles were released in support of the album: "Call Me When You Break Up" with Gracie Abrams, "Sunset Blvd", and "Ojos Tristes" with The Marías. The album track "Bluest Flame" received a nomination for the Grammy Award for Best Dance Pop Recording. In April, Gomez was named Billboard Latin Women of the Year. Later that year, Gomez was featured on Cardi B's song "Pick It Up" and released the single "In the Dark" for the soundtrack to the second season of the Netflix series Nobody Wants This. ==Artistry==

Acting approach Gomez's performance as Alex Russo was noted for its comic timing and sarcastic edge, which helped distinguish Wizards of Waverly Place from comparable youth-oriented sitcoms. In later years, critics described her comic delivery as dry and deadpan, particularly when portraying Mabel Mora in Only Murders in the Building. Steve Martin praised Gomez's approach to performance, saying that she understood that "quiet acting is powerful acting". Gomez has expressed a preference for working with auteur filmmakers and taking on unconventional supporting roles. She described her role in Spring Breakers as a turning point in her acting career. When accepting the Spotlight Award at the 2024 IndieWire honors, Gomez mentioned having long been drawn to independent film and credited directors such as Harmony Korine, Jim Jarmusch, and Jacques Audiard with helping shape her as an actress. She also has discussed preferring smaller parts in distinctive films over more conventional leading roles, saying "I'd rather have four scenes in a Martin Scorsese film" than star in a standard coming-of-age romance. before transitioning toward dance-pop and electropop on later releases. Stars Dance adopted an EDM-pop sound incorporating electronic, disco, techno, and dancehall influences, which she described as "baby dubstep". The 2014 single "The Heart Wants What It Wants" has been described as a turning point in her musical direction, introducing darker themes and more personal lyrical subject matter. and was described as marking a more mature artistic phase in Gomez's career. Billboard wrote that Revival helped define her restrained vocal style, often described as "soft, delicate, husky, and whispery", and linked the album to mainstream pop's mid-2010s shift away from EDM maximalism toward softer, R&B-inflected production. while her Spanish-language EP Revelación explored reggaeton, Latin pop, and urbano influences. Critics have highlighted Gomez's artistic versatility; Entertainment Weekly critic Marcus Jones described her as "a far more versatile musician than she's been given credit for". Other songwriting briefs reportedly sought a "Selena whisper sound". Gomez has said that her strengths as a singer lie in storytelling and performing in a lower vocal register with a softer tone. Rolling Stone critic Rob Sheffield observed that Gomez often sings about her emotions with a sense of vulnerability and described her lyrics as forming an "awesomely contorted private language" that is instantly recognizable. Influences Gomez grew up listening to artists such as Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Janet Jackson, and the boy band NSYNC. Gomez has cited Spears as a major inspiration for her performances and described her as a "huge inspiration" when she sought to shed her Disney image. She said performers such as Spears and Jackson influenced the dance-focused concept of her Stars Dance Tour, and also cited EDM producer Skrillex as an influence on the sound of Stars Dance, particularly his score for Spring Breakers. She has described Aguilera's album Stripped (2002) as a favorite and an influence on the conceptual approach behind Revival. In discussing Revelación, Gomez said she was "a huge reggaeton fan" and that the EP incorporated reggaeton influences, naming artists such as Nicky Jam, Daddy Yankee, J Balvin, Ozuna and Bad Bunny among her favorites. She has further cited Taylor Swift as an inspiration, praising her songwriting and ability to transition between musical genres. Gomez has additionally said she draws inspiration from singers of earlier eras, including Billie Holiday, Patsy Cline, Carole King and Ella Fitzgerald, noting that she is drawn to the "smoky, soft tenderness" and distinct vocal tones of their voices. In terms of acting influences, Gomez has said that her mannerisms for portraying Alex Russo were patterned after Jennifer Aniston's performance as Rachel Green on Friends. In a 2011 interview, she has also cited Shia LaBeouf's career transition from Disney Channel star to film actor in adulthood as a model she hoped to emulate. She has described Meryl Streep as an inspiration, saying that she learned from Streep's humility, professionalism and commitment to her craft while working with her on Only Murders in the Building. == Philanthropy and advocacy ==

UNICEF 2012 Snowflake Ball in New York City Gomez has been involved with UNICEF since 2008, when she was named spokesperson for Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF, a Halloween fundraising campaign that raised more than US$700,000 that year. In September 2009, at age 17, she was appointed as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, becoming the organization's youngest ambassador at the time. Later that month, she traveled to Ghana on her first official field mission, visiting programs addressing access to clean water, nutrition, education, and healthcare. Gomez continued her involvement with the Trick-or-Treat campaign and other UNICEF fundraising initiatives, including a benefit concert marking the campaign's 60th anniversary in 2010. From 2010 to 2013, she conducted three Acoustic Charity Concerts benefiting UNICEF, which collectively raised nearly US$400,000 for programs supporting nutrition, clean water, medicine, and education. Her later field work included a 2011 visit to Chile, where she observed the UNICEF-supported Programa Puente initiative assisting vulnerable families with early childhood development and parenting support, and a 2014 trip to Nepal to raise awareness of children in need and access to education. She also supported UNICEF campaigns including the Tap Project in 2011, which promoted access to clean water, and Sound the Alarm in 2012, which raised awareness of malnutrition in the Sahel region. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she participated in a collective UNICEF fundraising effort supporting vaccination initiatives, Other charity work Beyond her work with UNICEF, Gomez has supported a range of charitable initiatives. In 2009, she became an ambassador for DoSomething, and also contributed to Disney's Friends for Change environmental campaign, including the charity single "Send It On" with Demi Lovato, Miley Cyrus, and the Jonas Brothers. Proceeds from the single benefited the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund; it debuted at number 20 in the US and raised over US$500,000. In 2012, she became an ambassador for the Ryan Seacrest Foundation, supporting the establishment of multimedia centers in children's hospitals. Through her work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, she granted more than 90 wishes by 2013 and received the organization's Chris Greicius Celebrity Award. Following the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting, Gomez collaborated with other artists on the charity single "Hands" to raise funds for Equality Florida's Pulse Victims Fund, GLAAD, and the LGBT Community Center of Central Florida. That same year, she supported the Lupus Research Alliance by donating a portion of ticket sales from her Revival Tour and encouraging public donations; the organization reported that her efforts raised nearly US$500,000 for research. In 2017, she partnered with the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California to establish the Selena Gomez Fund for Lupus Research, That year, she also partnered with the Coach Foundation in its support of Step Up, a nonprofit organization mentoring girls from under-resourced communities. In 2018, she revealed that she had been volunteering with A21, an anti-human trafficking organization. In 2020, in conjunction with the launch of her cosmetics company Rare Beauty, Gomez founded the Rare Impact Fund, , which aims to raise US$100 million over ten years to expand access to youth mental health services and education; one percent of company sales supports the initiative. By April 2026, the fund had raised more than US$30 million. In June 2020, she partnered with PLUS1 to launch the Black Equality Fund, directing proceeds to organizations supporting racial justice. Gomez has hosted the annual Rare Impact Fund Benefit since 2023. She has incorporated charitable giving into several of her professional projects, including Selena + Chef, which donated US$10,000 per episode to selected charities and raised US$400,000 in total, as well as brand partnerships that have directed portions of proceeds to the Rare Impact Fund. Gomez has contributed to humanitarian relief efforts, including pledging donations during the 2019–20 Australian bushfire season. In 2023, amid the Gaza war, Gomez and Rare Beauty announced donations to Magen David Adom and the Palestinian Red Crescent Society to support urgent care efforts, as well as to UNICEF to provide medical relief and resources to children in Gaza. The inclusion of Magen David Adom among the recipient organizations drew criticism from some commentators, while others expressed support for the humanitarian focus of the initiative. During the 2025 Southern California wildfires, she volunteered in local relief efforts, while Rare Beauty assembled emergency care kits and made donations to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation and World Central Kitchen. Advocacy in 2022 Gomez has been an outspoken advocate for mental health awareness, speaking openly about her own experiences with mental health challenges. In 2019, she received the McLean Award for mental health advocacy, and in 2022 was honored by the Stanford Healthcare Innovation Lab and the Ruderman Family Foundation for her advocacy efforts. In May 2022, she participated in the inaugural Mental Health Youth Action Forum at the White House. The following year, she hosted the inaugural Rare Beauty Mental Health Summit and has continued to host the event annually. In April 2024, she spoke at the Time 100 Summit about mental health and the impact of social media. Beyond mental health, Gomez has been involved in a range of civic and youth-focused initiatives. She served as a spokesperson for the UR Votes Count campaign in 2008, narrated the documentary Girl Rising (2013), which highlighted the importance of girls' education worldwide, and hosted several We Day events between 2014 and 2017. In 2019, she joined Michelle Obama's nonpartisan organization When We All Vote as a co-chair, and in 2020 was named co-chair of the Voto Latino Foundation's Impact Council. Gomez has supported various civil rights initiatives, including LGBTQ rights and racial justice efforts. During her 2016 Revival Tour, she donated proceeds from a North Carolina concert to Equality North Carolina in opposition to the state's Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act. In 2017, she contributed a "love letter" to Billboards "30 Days of Pride" initiative. In June 2020, she voiced support for the Black Lives Matter movement and temporarily gave control of her Instagram account to several Black activists, including Alicia Garza. She has also signed multiple advocacy letters, including a 2021 letter organized by The Ally Coalition supporting the Equality Act, and an open letter organized by GLAAD supporting transgender rights. Gomez has spoken out on political and humanitarian issues. During the 2014 Gaza War, she posted a message on social media asking for prayers for Gaza, and later clarified that she was "not picking any sides" but praying for "peace and humanity for all". In 2017, she opposed the rescission of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, and in 2018 supported for the March for Our Lives movement, joining the Los Angeles march in support of gun reform. In 2019, she voiced support for abortion rights following the Alabama abortion ban, and reiterated her support in 2022 after the overturning of Roe v. Wade. In 2020, she urged Facebook executives Mark Zuckerberg and Sheryl Sandberg to address hate speech and misinformation on their platforms ahead of the 2020 US presidential election, reiterating those concerns following the January 6 US Capitol attack. In May 2021, Gomez hosted Vax Live: The Concert to Reunite the World, organized by Global Citizen to promote equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines through the COVAX program. The campaign raised US$302 million and secured more than 26 million vaccine doses for global distribution. In October 2023, she was among more than 260 artists who signed an open letter organized by Artists4Ceasefire urging US leaders to call for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza war. In January 2025, she posted and later deleted a video expressing distress over increased deportation efforts by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under the Trump administration; the post drew criticism from conservative commentators, and the White House subsequently shared a response video defending the administration's immigration policies. == Business and ventures ==

Products and endorsements In 2009, Gomez appeared in advertising campaigns for Sears and Borden Milk. The following year, she launched Dream Out Loud by Selena Gomez, a clothing line developed with designers Tony Melillo and Sandra Campos and distributed through Kmart. The collection featured bohemian-inspired apparel and incorporated recycled and eco-friendly materials. She later expanded into beauty licensing through a fragrance agreement with Adrenalina. Her self-titled debut perfume was released in May 2012 and distributed through Macy's. A second fragrance, Vivamore, followed in 2013, alongside a signature nail polish collection in collaboration with Nicole by OPI. in 2015 From 2013 to 2015, Gomez served as a representative and guest designer for the Adidas NEO label, appearing in advertising campaigns and collaborating on seasonal collections. In 2015, she signed an endorsement deal with Pantene, becoming the face of its "Strong Is Beautiful" campaign. She later appeared in campaigns for Louis Vuitton under creative director Nicolas Ghesquière, and participated in Coca-Cola's "Share a Coke and a Song" campaign, whose associated promotional Instagram post became the most-liked image on the platform at the time. In December 2016, Gomez entered into a partnership with Coach, collaborating with creative director Stuart Vevers on design projects and appearing in advertising campaigns. The collaboration produced the Coach x Selena Gomez collections, beginning with the Selena Grace handbag line in 2017 and later expanding into ready-to-wear apparel. The following year, she signed with Puma as brand ambassador and collaborator, contributing to footwear designs including the Phenom Lux and Defy sneakers as well as the SG x PUMA "Strong Girl" collection. In 2020, Gomez became an investor and partner in Serendipity Brands, co-developing the flavor Cookies & Cream Remix in conjunction with the release of her single "Ice Cream" with Blackpink, and later became a co-owner of the company. In 2021, she collaborated with swimwear brand La'Mariette on a capsule collection, and co-founded the mental health media platform Wondermind. Wondermind raised US$5 million in funding in 2022, valuing the pre-revenue startup at US$100 million, She has also invested in the food delivery company Gopuff, and collaborated with cookware brand Our Place on product collections released in 2022 and 2023. In June 2025, she collaborated with Mondelez International to launch a limited-edition Oreo cookie inspired by horchata for international release. A 2025 profile in Vogue Business described Gomez as having shifted from endorsement deals toward business development and ownership ventures. The brand "[instead of selling an unattainable image] aims to help people feel good about themselves" by promoting inclusivity and mental health initiatives. It sells cruelty-free and vegan products packaged with recyclable materials. Initially released through its official webstore and Sephora stores in the US, Rare Beauty later expanded internationally and became available in Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. The brand was named Startup of the Year at the WWD Beauty Inc Awards in 2020 and later earned Gomez the Pete Born Impact Award in 2023. In 2025, the company expanded into fragrance with the launch of Rare Eau de Parfum, its first perfume. In 2026, the brand also became available at Ulta Beauty stores in the US. As of May 2024, the brand was valued at US$2 billion. In 2023, its estimated annual revenue reached US$300 million, up approximately 50 percent from 2022. The company was also included on Times list of the most influential companies of 2024. with roughly 81% derived from Rare Beauty. At age 32, she was described as "one of the country's youngest female self-made billionaires". == Public image and impact ==

Initially regarded as a teen idol, Early coverage emphasized her broad appeal among young audiences, online influence, and cross-media visibility. In 2011, Billboard described Gomez as the "Internet queen of Disney" and highlighted her influence on social media, In 2022, Alex Morris of Rolling Stone wrote that authenticity and openness about personal struggles had become central to Gomez's appeal. Writing in 2013, Hadley Freeman of The Guardian said that Gomez had navigated the transition beyond her Disney image more successfully than some of her peers, while noting that the association could still hinder efforts to be taken seriously. She has also said that she was sexualized at a young age and later felt uncomfortable with attempts to project a more adult image. Gomez has had a significant impact on popular culture. In 2016, David Amsden of W described Gomez as "the most popular girl in America", writing that she "embodies a particular strain of American fame: you know who she is without quite knowing who she is". Billboard ranked her at number 38 on its Top Artists of the 2010s decade chart, and Spotify ranked her as the eighth-most-streamed female artist of the 2010s. Her social-media reach has also drawn attention; Hugh McIntyre of Forbes noted Gomez's influence on social media, writing that posts mentioning her often attract unusually high engagement online. In 2016, she became the most followed person on Instagram, and the first person to reach 100 million followers on the platform, a milestone later recognized by Time in its Firsts series, "Women Who Are Changing the World". In 2023, she regained her status as the most-followed woman on the platform. The following year, the BBC reported that Gomez was the most-followed woman globally on social media. From 2022 to 2025, she was included in The Hollywood Reporter annual Power 100 list of the most powerful women in entertainment. Gomez's influence has also been cited by a number of artists and entertainers, including Hailee Steinfeld, Tate McRae, Millie Bobby Brown, Jenna Ortega, and Joey King. In 2015, Justin Bieber said that much of the inspiration for his album Purpose came from his relationship with Gomez. Britney Spears later cited Gomez's album Revival as an inspiration while working on her album Glory. Gomez's openness about health issues has also been praised by Lady Gaga and Miranda Hart, and Vanessa Hudgens said that Gomez inspired her involvement with UNICEF. == Achievements ==

Gomez has won an Actor Award, and has been recognized with 16 Guinness World Records. She has been nominated five times for a Golden Globe Award for acting, and has also received nominations for a BAFTA Award, three Grammy Awards, a Latin Grammy Award, and was nominated for five Producers Guild of America Awards. Gomez has achieved three consecutive number-one albums on the Billboard 200 and has topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart. According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), Gomez has accumulated 51.5 million certified units in the US, in addition to a further 21 million as part of Selena Gomez & the Scene. As of 2022, her recordings had amassed over 45 billion global streams. Gomez has received several industry honors, including the Ultimate Choice Award at the 2014 Teen Choice Awards, the Chart-Topper Award (2015) and Woman of the Year (2017) at the Billboard Women in Music event, while Time included her on its annual list of the 100 most influential people in 2020. Gomez was honored by the Latin Recording Academy as one of the Leading Ladies of Entertainment in 2020 and received the Arts Award from the Hispanic Heritage Foundation the same year. In 2024, she was also appointed Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Minister of Culture, and received the Equity in Entertainment Award at The Hollywood Reporters Women in Entertainment gala. ==Personal life==

Beliefs Gomez was raised Catholic. In 2005, at age 13, she wanted a purity ring, and her father went to the church and had it blessed. She has said, "He actually used me as an example for other kids: I'm going to keep my promise to myself, to my family and to God." Gomez stopped wearing the ring in 2010. In 2014, Gomez said that she listened to "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)" by Hillsong United before performing at the 2014 American Music Awards. In 2016, she appeared at a Hillsong Young & Free concert in Los Angeles, leading worship by singing her song "Nobody". When a fan on Twitter asked her who the lyrics to "Nobody" refer to, Gomez replied that they refer to God. She also covered Hillsong Worship's song "Transfiguration", a reference to the Christian doctrine of the Transfiguration of Jesus, during her Revival Tour. In June 2017, she expressed discomfort with the term "religion", stating that "It freaks me out". Gomez also said "I don't know if it's necessarily that I believe in religion as much as I believe in faith and a relationship with God." In 2021, she remarked that she maintained her Christian faith and had read The Purpose Driven Life by Baptist pastor Rick Warren three times. In September 2017, she revealed on Instagram that she had withdrawn from public events during the previous few months because she had received a kidney transplant from actress and friend Francia Raisa. During the transplant, one of her arteries ruptured, requiring emergency autotransplantation of a femoral vein to replace the artery. Gomez has been open about her struggles with both anxiety and depression. She began psychotherapy in her early twenties and spent time in treatment facilities. When she reached 100 million Instagram followers, Gomez said she "sort of freaked out" and has since taken several extended breaks from social media, partly due to negative comments. In April 2020, she revealed she has bipolar disorder. In November 2022, she revealed that she had an episode of psychosis in 2018. In September 2024, Gomez revealed her inability to have children naturally due to her health issues, and mentioned wanting to explore either surrogacy or adoption in the future. In November 2024, she disclosed a prior diagnosis of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Relationships Gomez dated singer Nick Jonas from the Jonas Brothers in 2008. She appeared in the music video for the band's song "Burnin' Up". From December 2010 to March 2018, Gomez was in an on-again, off-again relationship with Canadian singer Justin Bieber. During their breakups, Gomez dated Russian-German disc jockey Zedd and Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd. Gomez began dating record producer Benny Blanco in June 2023. She formally announced their engagement on December 11, 2024, following a period of media rumors. The couple were married on September 27, 2025, at the Sea Crest Nursery in Santa Barbara, California. ==Filmography==

Films • Another Cinderella Story (2008) • Ramona and Beezus (2010) • Monte Carlo (2011) • Spring Breakers (2012) • Hotel Transylvania (2012–2022) • The Fundamentals of Caring (2016) • ''The Dead Don't Die'' (2019) • Emilia Pérez (2024) Television • Barney & Friends (2002–2004) • Wizards of Waverly Place (2007–2012) • 13 Reasons Why (2017–2020) • Selena + Chef (2020–2023) • Only Murders in the Building (2021–present) ==Discography==

Selena Gomez & the Scene studio albums • Kiss & Tell (2009) • A Year Without Rain (2010) • When the Sun Goes Down (2011) Solo studio albums • Stars Dance (2013) • Revival (2015) • Rare (2020) Collaborative studio albums • I Said I Love You First (with Benny Blanco) (2025) ==Tours==

Selena Gomez & the Scene tours • Live in Concert (2009–2010) • A Year Without Rain Tour (2010–2011) • We Own the Night Tour (2011–2012) Solo tours • Stars Dance Tour (2013–2014) • Revival Tour (2016) ==See also==