Selena Gomez

Biography

Selena Marie Gomez was born on July 22, 1992, in Grand Prairie, Texas, to parents Mandy Teefey and Ricardo Gomez. Named after the Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, she grew up in a working-class family and was primarily raised by her mother after her parents divorced when she was five. Her early exposure to entertainment came through her mother, who worked in local theater, and Gomez soon showed a knack for performance that shaped her life.

Gomez first caught public attention as a child actress on the PBS children's series Barney & Friends, appearing from 2002 to 2004. Her major break came when she was cast as Alex Russo on the Disney Channel sitcom Wizards of Waverly Place, which aired from 2007 to 2012. This role made her a key figure in youth entertainment and earned her several Teen Choice Awards. The TV movie Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie increased her visibility even more. During this time, she also starred in Another Cinderella Story (2008) and Princess Protection Program (2009), solidifying her status as a teen idol.

Alongside her acting, Gomez pursued music. She signed with Hollywood Records in 2008 and led the pop band Selena Gomez & the Scene, releasing three albums between 2009 and 2011. She moved to a solo career with Stars Dance in 2013, followed by Revival in 2015, which included top hits like 'Good for You' and 'Same Old Love'. Her 2020 album Rare featured the number-one single 'Lose You to Love Me'. In 2025, she released I Said I Love You First with her husband, music producer Benny Blanco, whom she married after their public relationship started in 2023.

Beyond performing, Gomez has made her mark in business and production. She founded Rare Beauty in 2020, a cosmetics company valued at around two billion dollars and closely linked to her Rare Impact Fund, which supports mental health initiatives. She was an executive producer on the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why and has starred in the Hulu series Only Murders in the Building since 2021. Her film roles include the animated Hotel Transylvania series and the French-language film Emilia Pérez (2024), which brought her significant awards attention.

Gomez has been candid about her health issues, including her lupus diagnosis that led to a kidney transplant in 2017, and she actively promotes mental health awareness. She is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and speaks out on inequality and emotional well-being. Her awards span an American Music Award, several MTV Video Music Awards, and spots on Forbes 30 Under 30 and Time 100 lists. With over 16 Guinness World Records mainly related to her social media influence, she remains widely recognized in her generation.