SINGERS

Selena Gomez

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Selena Gomez
Gomez attending "The 6th Annual Hollywood Style Awards", Beverly Hills, CA on Oct. 10, 2009
Background information
Birth name	Selena Marie Gomez
Born	July 22, 1992 (age 19) Grand Prairie, Texas, United States
Genres	Pop rock, dance-pop, electropop
Occupations	Actress, singer, businesswoman
Instruments	Vocals, piano, guitar, drums
Years active	2002–present
Labels	Hollywood
Associated acts	Selena Gomez & the Scene
Website	www.selenagomez.com

Selena Marie Gomez (born July 22, 1992)^[1] is an American actress and singer best known for portraying Alex Russo in the Emmy Award-winning Disney Channel television series Wizards of Waverly Place. She subsequently ventured into feature films and has starred in the television movies Another Cinderella Story, Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie, and Princess Protection Program. She made her starring theatrical film debut in Ramona and Beezus.
Her career has expanded into the music industry; Gomez is the lead singer and founder of the pop band Selena Gomez & the Scene, which has released two RIAA Gold certified studio albums, Kiss & Tell and A Year Without Rain and spawned two RIAA Platinum certified singles, "Naturally" and "Who Says".^[2] As of April 2011, the band has sold 1,354,000 albums in the United States.^[3] Gomez has also contributed to the soundtracks of Tinker Bell, Another Cinderella Story, Wizards of Waverly Place, and Shake It Up after signing a record deal with Hollywood Records. In 2008, Gomez was designated a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.^[4]

Early life

Gomez was born in Grand Prairie, Texas.^[1] She is the daughter of former stage actress Amanda "Mandy" Dawn Teefey (née Cornett) and Ricardo Joel Gomez.^[5][6][7] Her father is from Mexico, and her mother is of part Italian descent.^[8][9] Regarding her Hispanic heritage, Gomez 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 [that we] go to the park and have barbecues on Sundays after church."^[10] Her birth parents divorced when she was five years old, and she was raised as an only child by her working mother.^[5][11] In 2006, Mandy remarried Brian Teefey.^[12] She is named after Tejano singer Selena, who died two years after Gomez was born.^[13] In a 2009 interview with People, Gomez mentioned that she developed an early interest in acting from watching her mother prepare for and act in theater productions.^[11] She earned a high school diploma through homeschooling in May 2010.^[14]

Acting career

2002–06: Barney & Friends and early work

Gomez began her acting career at age seven, playing Gianna on Barney & Friends.^[15] She later had minor roles in Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over and the TV film Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial By Fire. Gomez also starred in the television movie Brain Zapped. (Selena Gomez also found out that she wanted to be an actress because in E Special she states that "I would also watch my mom on stage do her lines".)
In 2004, Gomez was discovered by the Disney Channel in a USA-wide scouting.^[16] Gomez appeared as a guest star on The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and had a guest appearance – that later turned into a recurring role – on Hannah Montana from seasons two to three. Gomez previously taped two different pilots that were spin-offs to two previous Disney series.^[17] The first one, What's Stevie Thinking?, was the spin-off to Lizzie McGuire. Gomez played Stevie Sanchez, Miranda Sanchez's little sister. The other show was titled Arwin!, the spin-off to The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, in which she played Alexa. Neither series was picked up.

2007–09: Wizards of Waverly Place

Gomez on the studio set of Wizards of Waverly Place before filming an episode for the show's first season in April 2007

In early 2007 Gomez was cast in the Disney Channel series Wizards of Waverly Place as one of the three main characters, Alex Russo. The show premiered to an audience of 5.9 million, becoming a hit. Many news outlets began dubbing Gomez the next 'Miley Cyrus' causing some controversy and a reported 'feud'. Gomez clarified that there was no feud and that she was flattered by the comparison, saying: "It's a little overwhelming, but I think really, it's a compliment. She's obviously extremely successful, and I think she's a wonderful performer ... So being compared to her, I was very, very flattered."^[18]
In 2008, Gomez appeared in Another Cinderella Story, the direct-to-DVD sequel to the 2004 Hilary Duff film, opposite Drew Seeley. She also had a minor voiceover role as one the Mayor's ninety-six daughters in Horton Hears a Who! which released in March of that year. In April, Lacey Rose, of Forbes ranked Gomez as being fifth on their "Eight Hot Kid Stars To Watch" list; and Rose described Gomez as having been "a multitalented teen".^[19]
In February 2009, Gomez signed on to star as one of the two female leads in Ramona and Beezus, a film adaption of the children's novel series by Beverly Cleary.^[20][21] Gomez stated that she felt no pressure in taking more adult roles: "I think I’m fully aware of my audience and I’m still just a kid myself. I wouldn’t do a role I don’t feel comfortable doing or that my audience wouldn’t feel comfortable seeing."^[22]
In June 2009, Gomez did a guest appearance as herself in one episode of best friend Demi Lovato's Disney Channel television show, Sonny with a Chance, entitled "Battle of The Network Stars". That same month Gomez appeared alongside Lovato in the made-for-television Disney Channel movie, Princess Protection Program.^[23] The telecast garnered 8.5 million viewers becoming, at the time, the third most watched Disney Channel Original Movie.^[24] One month later, Gomez, along with two cast members of Wizards of Waverly Place appeared in a television three-way cross-over episode with Hannah Montana and The Suite Life on Deck, entitled Wizards on Deck with Hannah Montana.
On August 28, two months after appearing in Princess Protection Program, Gomez starred in Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie, a made-for-television film based on the show.^[25] The film premiered to an audience of 11.4 million viewers becoming cable's No. 1 scripted telecast of 2009 and Disney Channel's second most-viewed film premiere after High School Musical 2.^[26] In 2010, the film adaptation won Wizards of Waverly Place its second consecutive Emmy for "Outstanding Children's Program" at the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards over its television series counterpart which had won in the same category at the 61st Primetime Emmy Awards.^[27]

2010–present: Focus on film

Gomez on location in Paris, France filming Monte Carlo in June 2010

Gomez's first theatrical film Ramona & Beezus premiered on July 23, 2010 and met with generally positive reviews.^[28] In March 2010, Variety reported that Gomez was set to star as one of the three lead roles in Monte Carlo, alongside Leighton Meester and Katie Cassidy.^[29] In the film Gomez plays Grace, a girl who’s “mistaken for a socialite while on a trip to Paris.”^[30] To prepare for the role Gomez learned how to play polo and also took two weeks of vocal training to learn two different British accents.^[31][32] The same year Gomez confirmed that the fourth season of her hit Disney Channel show, Wizards of Waverly Place, would be its last.
In February 2011, Deadline.com reported that Universal Pictures and Strike Entertainment had acquired the novel Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher with Gomez attached to the lead.^[33] That same month TV Guide reported that Gomez would make a cameo in the upcoming Muppets film.^[34] Production for the final season of Wizards of Waverly Place came to a wrap on May 14, 2011.^[35] Gomez co-hosted the 2011 MuchMusic Video Awards on June 19.^[36] She also hosted the 2011 MTV EMAs on November 6, 2011, in Belfast, Northern Ireland, where she performed her band's new single "Hit The Lights"

Music career

2009: Solo career

	"Tell Me Something I Don't Know" (2008) Gomez's first song to chart on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.
Problems listening to this file? See media help.

In 2008, Gomez recorded a cover of "Cruella de Vil"—which included a music video—for the compilation album DisneyMania 6. Gomez recorded three songs for the Another Cinderella Story soundtrack, which Gomez appears in. Gomez also recorded "Fly to Your Heart" for the 2008 animated film Tinker Bell. In July 2008, before Gomez' sixteenth birthday, she signed a recording deal with Hollywood Records, a music label owned by Disney.^[37] In 2009, Gomez recorded "One and the Same" for Princess Protection Program as a duet with her co-star Lovato.^[38] Gomez recorded four songs, one of which was a cover, for the Wizards of Waverly Place soundtrack, only one single (Magic) from the album was released. In May, of the same year, Gomez was featured, with Forever the Sickest Kids, on a duet version of the non-album song "Whoa Oh!".^[39]

2009–present: Selena Gomez & the Scene

Main article: Selena Gomez & the Scene

Gomez performing at 2011 Much Music Video Awards

Formed in 2009, Selena Gomez & the Scene is a teen pop band which consists of Selena Gomez on vocals, Ethan Roberts on guitar, Joey Clement on bass, Greg Garman on drums and Dane Forrest on keyboards. Kiss & Tell is the band's debut studio album and was released on September 29, 2009 by Hollywood Records. On March 5, 2010, the album was certified Gold by RIAA.^[2] The album's single, "Naturally", was certified Platinum by the RIAA on July 15, 2010.^[2] The band's second album A Year Without Rain was released on September 17, 2010. The record debuted on the Billboard 200 at number 4, selling 66,000 copies. On January 19, 2011, the album was certified Gold by RIAA.^[2] The band's third album When the Sun Goes Down, previously titled Otherside, released on June 28, 2011.^[40] The album debuted at number 4 on the Billboard 200, selling 78,000 copies its first week.^[41] The following week, the album rose to number 3 on the, becoming the band's highest charting album to date.^[42] The album's lead single, "Who Says" was certified Platinum by RIAA on June 23, 2011 and has become the band's highest charting song on the Billboard Hot 100 to date, peaking at number 21.^[2][43]

Other projects

Philanthropy

Gomez performing Love You Like A Love Song on Good Morning America in June 2011

Gomez was involved in the UR Votes Count campaign which encouraged teenagers to learn more about 2008 presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain.^[44] In October 2008, Gomez participated in St. Jude's Children's Hospital "Runway For Life" benefit.^[45] Gomez is a spokesperson for Borden Milk; she is featured in the campaign's print and television ads.^[46] She is the ambassador of DoSomething.org after being involved with the charity Island Dog, which help dogs in Puerto Rico.^[47] She got involved while filming Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie in Puerto Rico.^[48] Gomez is a spokesperson for State Farm Insurance, and is featured in their TV commercials; which air on the Disney Channel, to raise awareness of being a safe driver.^[49] Gomez is also involved with the charity RAISE Hope For Congo, an initiative of the Enough Project, which helps raise awareness about conflict minerals and violence against Congolese women.^[50]
In October 2008, Gomez was named UNICEF's spokesperson for the Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF campaign, which encouraged children to raise money on Halloween to help children around the world.^[4] She said that she was "extremely excited" to "encourage other kids to make a difference in the world."^[4]
In August 2009, a 17-year-old Gomez became the youngest UNICEF ambassador ever, passing fellow songstress Hayley Westenra, who was 18 when she was chosen. In her first official field mission, Gomez traveled to Ghana on September 4, 2009 for a week to witness first-hand the stark conditions of vulnerable children that lack vital necessities including clean water, nourishment, education and healthcare.^[51][52] Gomez explained during an interview with Associated Press that she wanted to use her star power to bring awareness to Ghana: “That’s why I feel very honored to have a voice that kids listen to and take into consideration [...] I had people on my tour asking me where IS Ghana, and they Googled it [...] and because I went there, they now know where Ghana is. So it’s pretty incredible.”^[52][53] Gomez said of her role as ambassador that: "Every day 25,000 children die from preventable causes. I stand with UNICEF in the belief that we can change that number from 25,000 to zero. I know we can achieve this because every moment, UNICEF is on the ground providing children with the lifesaving assistance needed to ensure zero becomes a reality."^[51]
Gomez was named spokesperson for UNICEF's 2009 Trick-or-Treat campaign, for the second year in a row.^[54] Gomez, who raised over $700,000 for the charity in 2008, stated that she hopes to be able to raise 1 million dollars in 2009.^[52] Gomez participated in a celebrity auction^[55] and hosted a live web cast series on Facebook in support of the Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF campaign.^[56] Gomez returned as the UNICEF spokesperson for the 60th anniversary of Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF campaign in 2010.^[57] In celebration of the 60th anniversary, Gomez and her band, The Scene, held a benefit concert donating all proceeds to the campaign.^[58]
n February 2011, Gomez traveled to Chile to witness and meet with the families of UNICEF's supported program, "Programa Puente" which helps families better understand and develops skills to deal effectively with early childhood education, development and other issues related to raising children. From her field trip experience, Gomez said "UNICEF is helping Chilean families get out of poverty, prevent violence within the home and promote education. To witness first hand these families' struggles, and also their hope and perseverance, was truly inspiring."^[59] In March 2011, Gomez participated in the UNICEF Tap Project's "Celebrity Tap Pack," limited-edition, custom-made water bottles featuring tap water from the homes of each celebrity advocate, in order to raise funds and increase profile for the clean water and sanitation programs.^[60] She is also featured in videos promoting the campaign.^[61][62]
Gomez is involved in Disney's Friends for Change, an organization which promotes "environmently-friendly behavior", and appears in its public service announcements.^[63] Gomez, Demi Lovato, Miley Cyrus, and the Jonas Brothers recorded "Send It On", a charity single with all of its proceeds to the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund.^[64][65] It debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 20.^[64] Also in 2009, Gomez made a surprise visit to a Los Angeles elementary school as part of the "A Day Made Better" program that was sponsored by OfficeMax. During her visit, Gomez gave the school an award and $1,000 worth of school supplies, and talked to students about the importance of giving back to the community.^[66][67]
Gomez is also the owner of six rescue dogs and describes herself as a "huge animal-lover".^[68]

Entrepreneurship and sponsorships

Gomez on the set of her music video for "Tell Me Something I Don't Know" in July 2008

Gomez was part of Sears back-to-school fashion ad campaign.^[69] As part of the campaign Gomez was featured in the television commercials. In August 2009, Gomez also hosted the "Sears Arrive Air Band Casting Call" – to select five people for the first-ever "Sears Air Band", which performed at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards.^[70]
In October 2008, Gomez launched her own production company, July Moon Productions, and partnered with XYZ Films to create star vehicles for Gomez. As part of the agreement Gomez will have the opportunity to be able option articles, hire writers and create talent packages to shop to studios.^[71][72] Also, as part of the deal, "XYZ Films will allow Gomez to star in and produce at least two films.^[66] Variety reported that: "In August, XYZ [Films] inked a similar deal with Time Inc. and management-production company the Collective to finance the development of the print media giant's content for the bigscreen [...] As part of the July Moon-XYZ deal, [Selena] Gomez will have the ability to cherry-pick projects from the vast Time Inc. library, which includes Time, Sports Illustrated, Fortune and Life."^[72]
In October 2009, Gomez announced her plan to launch her own fashion line, called "Dream Out Loud by Selena Gomez". The clothing line launched in the fall of 2010.^[73][74] The collection consists of and features bohemian dresses, floral tops, jeans, skirts, jackets, scarves and hats, all made from recycled or eco-friendly materials.^[75][76] Gomez said that the line will reflect her own personal style and described the clothing as being "pretty, feminine, and bohemian," and: "With my line, I really want to give the customer options on how they can put their own looks together [...] I want the pieces that can be easy to dress up or down, and the fabrics being eco-friendly and organic is super important [...] Also, the tags will all have some of my inspirational quotes on them. I'm just looking to send a good message."^[73][76] Gomez, who has no background in fashion, teamed up with designers Tony Melillo and Sandra Campos, both who have worked with big-name fashion houses.^[74] Gomez said of the partnering: "When I met Tony and Sandra, I was instantly comfortable with them and now they are just like family to me [...] They are so creative and I love how I can just call them up whenever and talk to them about everything, even if it's just about changing a button [...] They've been so cool about everything."^{[73][74][75][76]} The brand will be manufactured by, Melillo and Campos teamed with New York-based Adjmi Apparel and formed by Adjmi CH Brands LLC; which is the holding company for the brand.^[77]
It was announced on July 14, 2011, that Gomez had signed a license agreement with Adrenalina, an extreme sports and adventure-themed lifestyle brand, to develop, manufacture, and distribute the actress' fragrance. It is expected to debut in the spring of 2012. Chairman and C.E.O. of Adrenalina, Ilia Lekach, said, "We are incredibly enthused to be working with Ms. Gomez and will reveal more details pertaining to the fragrance as we get closer to the launch date."^[78]

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2003	Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over	Waterpark Girl	Minor role
2005	Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire	Julie	Television movie
2008	Another Cinderella Story	Mary Santiago	Direct-to-video Main role
2008	Horton Hears a Who!	96 daughters	(Voice)
2009	Princess Protection Program	Carter Mason	Disney Channel Original Movie Main role
2009	Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie	Alex Russo	Disney Channel Original Movie Main role
2009	Arthur and the Vengeance of Maltazard	Princess Selenia	(Voice) (Replaced Madonna)
2009	Arthur 3: The War of the Two Worlds	Princess Selenia	(Voice)
2010	Ramona and Beezus[79]	Beatrice "Beezus" Quimby	Main role
2011	Monte Carlo[80]	Grace Bennett/Cordelia Winthrop Scott	Main role
2011	The Muppets	Herself	Cameo appearance
2012	Thirteen Reasons Why	Hannah Baker	Main Role

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2002–2003	Barney & Friends	Gianna	Recurring role
2006	Brain Zapped	Emily Grace Garcia	Unsold pilot[81]
2006	The Suite Life of Zack & Cody	Gwen	"A Midsummer's Nightmare" (Season 2, episode 22)
2007–2008	Hannah Montana	Mikayla	"I Want You to Want Me... to Go to Florida" (Season 2, episode 13) "That's What Friends Are For?" (Season 2, episode 18) "(We're So Sorry) Uncle Earl" (Season 2, episode 22) (uncredited)
2007–present	Wizards of Waverly Place	Alex Russo	Lead role
2009	The Suite Life on Deck	Alex Russo	"Double-Crossed" (Season 1, episode 21)
2009	Hannah Montana	Alex Russo	"Double Crossed"	2009	Sonny With a Chance	Herself	"Battle of the Networks' Stars" (Season 1, episode 13)
2011	So Random!	Herself	Musical guest singing "Who Says"
2011	PrankStars	Herself	Guest star

Music videos

Year	Title	Artist	Notes
2008	"Burnin' Up"	Jonas Brothers	Played Nick Jonas' love interest
2011	"The Dance Routine"	The Midnight Beast	Cameo

Discography

See also: Selena Gomez & the Scene discography

Singles

Year	Song	Chart positions		Album
		US	CAN
2008	"Tell Me Something I Don't Know"	58	—	Another Cinderella Story
2009	"Magic" (Originally by Pilot)	61	86	Wizards of Waverly Place

Guest singles

Year	Song	Chart positions		Album
		US	CAN
2009	"Whoa Oh!" (with Forever The Sickest Kids)	—	—	Non-album single
2009	"One and the Same" (with Demi Lovato)	82	—	Disney Channel Playlist
2009	"Send It On" (with Demi Lovato, Jonas Brothers, and Miley Cyrus)	20	—	Non-album song

Other songs

Year	Song	Album
2006	"Brain Zapped"	Brain Zapped
2008	"Cruella de Vil"	Disneymania 6
2008	"Tell Me Something I Don't Know"	Another Cinderella Story
2008	"New Classic" (featuring Drew Seeley)	Another Cinderella Story
2008	"Bang a Drum"	Another Cinderella Story
2008	"New Classic" (Live) (featuring Drew Seeley)	Another Cinderella Story
2008	"Fly to Your Heart"	Tinker Bell
2009	"One and the Same" (with Demi Lovato)	Disney Channel Playlist
2009	"Everything Is Not What It Seems"	Wizards of Waverly Place
2009	"Disappear"	Wizards of Waverly Place
2009	"Magical"	Wizards of Waverly Place
2009	"Magic"	Wizards of Waverly Place
2010	"Trust in Me" (From Disney's The Jungle Book)	Disneymania 7
2010	"Shake It Up"	Shake It Up: Break It Down

Music videos

Year	Title
2008	Cruella de Vil
2008	Tell Me Something I Don't Know
2008	Fly to Your Heart
2009	One and the Same
2009	Magic
2009	Send It On
2009	Falling Down
2009	Naturally
2010	Round & Round
2010	A Year Without Rain
2011	Who Says
2011	Love You Like a Love Song
2011	Hit The Lights

Awards and nominations

Year	Award	Category	Work	Outcome
2008	ALMA Award[82]	Outstanding Female Performance in a Comedy Television Series	Wizards of Waverly Place	Nominated
	Imagen Awards[83]	Best Actress – Television
2009	NAACP Image Awards[84]	Outstanding Performance in a Youth/Children's Program – Series or Special
	Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards[85]	Favorite TV Actress		Won
	Young Artist Award[86]	Best Performance in a TV Movie, Miniseries, or Special – Leading Young Actress	Another Cinderella Story
		Best Performance in a TV Series – Leading Young Actress	Wizards of Waverly Place	Nominated
		Best Performance in a Voice-over Role	Horton Hears a Who!
	Teen Choice Awards[87]	"Choice Summer- Celebrity Dancer"	Another Cinderella Story	Won
		"Choice Summer – TV Star-Female"	Princess Protection Program
		"Choice Other Stuff – Red Carpet Icon: Female"	Herself
	Hollywood Style Awards[88]	Style Igenue
	Imagen Awards[89]	Best Actress – Television	Wizards of Waverly Place	Nominated
	Alma Award[90]	Special Achievement Comedy – Television – Actress		Won
	Nickelodeon Australian Kids' Choice Awards[91]	Fave International TV Star		Nominated
2010	Gracie Award[92]	Outstanding Female Rising Star in a Comedy Series		Won
	NAACP Image Awards[93]	Outstanding Performance in a Youth/Children's Program – Series or Special		Nominated
	Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards[94]	Favorite TV Actress		Won
	Young Artist Award[95]	Best Performance in a TV Movie, Miniseries, or Special – Leading Young Actress	Princess Protection Program	Nominated
	BET Awards[96]	YoungStars Award	Wizards of Waverly Place
	American Latino Awards[97]	Favorite American Latino Actor
	Teen Choice Awards[98]	Choice TV Actress: Comedy		Won
		Choice Red Carpet Fashion Icon: Female	Herself
		Choice Summer: Movie Star- Female	Ramona and Beezus	Nominated
	Imagen Awards[99]	Best Actress – Television	Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie
	Nickelodeon Australian Kids' Choice Awards[100]	Fave TV Star	Wizards of Waverly Place	Won
2011	NAACP Image Awards[101]	Outstanding Performance in a Youth/Children's Program – Series or Special		Nominated
	Nickelodeon Kid's Choice Awards[102]	Favorite TV Actress		Won
		Favorite Female Singer	Herself	Nominated
	Teen Choice Awards[103]	Choice Female Hottie		Won
		Choice TV Actress: Comedy	Wizards of Waverly Place
		Choice Summer: Movie Star- Female	Monte Carlo	Nominated
		Choice Summer: Music Star- Female	Herself
	Imagen Awards[104]	Best Young Actress – Television	Wizards of Waverly Place	Won
	Alma Award[105]	Favorite TV Actress – Leading Role in a Comedy		Nominated
		Favorite Movie Actress – Comedy/Musical	Monte Carlo
		Favorite Female Music Artist	Herself
	MTV Europe Music Awards[106]	Biggest Fans		Nominated
	Nickelodeon Australian Kids' Choice Awards[107]	Fave TV Star	Wizards of Waverly Place	Won
	Nickelodeon Argentina Kids' Choice Awards [108]	Favorite International Singer	Selena Gomez & the Scene

References