Selena Gomez facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Selena Gomez
Gomez in 2024
Born	Selena Marie Gomez (1992-07-22) July 22, 1992 (age 33) Grand Prairie, Texas, US
Occupation	Actress singer songwriter producer businesswoman
Years active	2002–present
Organization	Rare Beauty
Works	Discography songs recorded performances videography
Spouse(s)	Benny Blanco (married 2025)
Awards	Full list
Musical career
Genres	Dance-pop EDM
Instruments	Vocals
Labels	Walt Disney Hollywood Interscope
Signature

Selena Marie Gomez (born July 22, 1992) is a talented American actress, singer, and businesswoman. She started her career as a child on the TV show Barney & Friends (2002–2004). Selena became a huge star for young people when she played Alex Russo in the Disney Channel sitcom Wizards of Waverly Place (2007–2012). She also formed a band called Selena Gomez & the Scene, releasing three popular albums: Kiss & Tell (2009), A Year Without Rain (2010), and When the Sun Goes Down (2011).

Selena has released several successful solo albums, including Stars Dance (2013), Revival (2015), and Rare (2020). Her song "Lose You to Love Me" from Rare became a number-one hit. She also released a Spanish EP called Revelación (2021) and a new album, I Said I Love You First (2025), with her husband Benny Blanco. Selena has also worked with many other artists on popular songs like "Calm Down (Remix)", which is a very famous Afrobeats song.

Beyond music, Selena has acted in many movies, including Another Cinderella Story (2008), Monte Carlo (2011), and Emilia Pérez (2024). She also lent her voice to the character Mavis in the popular Hotel Transylvania movies (2012–2022). Selena has produced TV shows like Selena + Chef (2020–2023) and stars in the hit series Only Murders in the Building (2021–present). She has won many awards for her work, including an American Music Award, a Billboard Music Award, and even 16 Guinness World Records.

Selena is also known for her charity work. She supports mental health awareness and has been a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2009. In 2020, she started her own makeup company, Rare Beauty, which is very successful and also has a non-profit part called the Rare Impact Fund. She is one of the most-followed women on Instagram and has been recognized by magazines like Time and Forbes for her influence. In 2024, the Government of France honored her with the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres for her contributions to culture.

Selena Gomez's Early Life

Selena Marie Gomez was born on July 22, 1992, in Grand Prairie, Texas. Her mother, Mandy Teefey, was a stage actress, and her father is Ricardo Joel Gomez. Selena was named after the famous singer Selena Quintanilla.

Selena's family has Mexican and Italian roots. Her grandparents moved to Texas from Mexico in the 1970s. Selena proudly calls herself a "third-generation American-Mexican." She grew up celebrating Catholic traditions with her family.

When Selena was five, her parents separated, and she lived with her mother. She has a younger half-sister, Gracie Elliot Teefey, and another half-sister, Victoria "Tori" Gomez, and a step-brother named Marcus. Selena was mostly homeschooled and earned her high school diploma in 2010.

Selena's mother worked very hard to support them. Selena has shared that her mother was a strong role model who made many sacrifices for her. Selena also had a close bond with her grandparents, who helped care for her when she was young.

Selena Gomez's Career Highlights

Starting Her Acting Journey (2002–2006)

Selena became interested in acting by watching her mother get ready for plays. In 2002, she got her first acting job on the children's TV show Barney & Friends, playing a character named Gianna. She learned a lot about acting on this show.

Selena was on Barney & Friends from 2002 to 2004. During this time, she also had small roles in movies like Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over (2003) and a TV movie called Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire (2005). In 2006, she appeared in an episode of the Disney Channel series The Suite Life of Zack & Cody.

Disney Breakthrough and Band Success (2007–2012)

In 2007, Selena had a recurring role on the Disney Channel show Hannah Montana. She then won the main role of Alex Russo in the Disney Channel series Wizards of Waverly Place. This show became very popular and made Selena a "teen idol". She and her mother moved to Los Angeles for the show.

While working on Wizards of Waverly Place, Selena also voiced Helga in the animated film Horton Hears a Who! (2008). That same year, she starred in the movie Another Cinderella Story, where she played an aspiring dancer. She also recorded songs for the movie's soundtrack.

At age 16, Selena signed with Hollywood Records and started her own production company. She also formed a pop rock band called Selena Gomez & the Scene. The band released their first album, Kiss & Tell, in 2009. Their song "Naturally" became a big hit.

In 2009, Selena starred with Demi Lovato in the Disney Channel movie Princess Protection Program. She also appeared in Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie, which was watched by many viewers.

In 2010, Selena starred in the film Ramona and Beezus, based on the popular children's books. Selena Gomez & the Scene released their second album, A Year Without Rain, that same year. Their third and final album, When the Sun Goes Down, came out in 2011. It included popular songs like "Who Says" and "Love You like a Love Song".

Solo Music and Film Roles (2012–2014)

In 2012, Selena announced she was taking a break from her band to focus on her solo music career. The show Wizards of Waverly Place also ended its run.

Selena starred in the animated film Hotel Transylvania (2012), voicing the character Mavis Dracula. The movie was a big success. In 2013, she appeared in the action film Getaway.

In April 2013, Selena released "Come & Get It", the first song from her solo debut album, Stars Dance. The album, which featured EDM and electropop sounds, became her first album to reach number one in the U.S.

In 2013, Selena went on her Stars Dance Tour. She later took a break from touring to focus on her health. In 2014, she starred in the drama film Rudderless. She also released the song "The Heart Wants What It Wants" and a greatest hits album called For You before signing with Interscope Records.

Revival and New Collaborations (2015–2016)

In 2015, Selena collaborated with DJ Zedd on the song "I Want You to Know". She then released "Good for You" as the first single from her second solo album. This song became a top-five hit. She also voiced Mavis again in Hotel Transylvania 2 (2015).

Selena's second studio album, Revival, was released in October 2015. It featured dance-pop and electropop sounds and received positive reviews. The album included hit singles like "Same Old Love" and "Hands to Myself".

In 2016, Selena starred in the comedy-drama The Fundamentals of Caring and the comedy Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising. She also went on her worldwide Revival Tour. She later canceled some tour dates to focus on her health. Selena also featured on Charlie Puth's popular song "We Don't Talk Anymore".

Producing and New Music (2017–2019)

In 2017, Selena released the single "It Ain't Me" with DJ Kygo. She also served as an executive producer for the TV series 13 Reasons Why, which explored serious and difficult topics. Selena recorded a cover song for the show's soundtrack.

In May 2017, Selena released the single "Bad Liar", which was praised by music critics. She followed this with "Fetish" and "Wolves" with Marshmello. Later that year, Billboard named Selena their Woman of the Year.

In 2018, Selena released "Back to You" for the 13 Reasons Why Season 2 Soundtrack. She voiced Mavis again in Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation. Selena also featured on DJ Snake's global hit song "Taki Taki" with Ozuna and Cardi B.

In 2019, Selena appeared in the comedy horror film The Dead Don't Die. She also produced the Netflix docuseries Living Undocumented, which shared stories of undocumented families in America.

Rare, Revelación, and Only Murders in the Building (2020–2023)

On October 23, 2019, Selena released "Lose You to Love Me", which became her first number-one song in the U.S. Her third studio album, Rare, was released on January 10, 2020. It debuted at number one in the U.S. and received positive reviews.

In 2020, Selena voiced a giraffe in the film Dolittle. She also hosted and produced the HBO Max cooking show Selena + Chef, where she cooked with different chefs and highlighted food-related charities. The show was very popular and ran for four seasons. Selena also collaborated with the K-pop group Blackpink on the song "Ice Cream".

In March 2021, Selena released her first Spanish-language project, an EP called Revelación. This album blended reggaeton, latin pop, and R&B. It was nominated for a Grammy Award. She also performed at the 2021 UEFA Champions League final opening ceremony.

Selena starred in and executive produced the mystery-comedy series Only Murders in the Building with Steve Martin and Martin Short. The show premiered on Hulu in August 2021 and quickly became a hit. Selena's performance in the series has been highly praised, and she has received several award nominations.

In 2022, Selena voiced Mavis for the final time in Hotel Transylvania: Transformania. She also collaborated with the band Coldplay on the song "Let Somebody Go". In August, Selena was featured on the remix of Nigerian artist Rema's song, "Calm Down". This song became a huge international success, breaking many records and becoming one of the best-selling songs globally in 2023.

Selena was the subject of the documentary film Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me, released in November 2022. The film shared an honest look at her life and mental health journey. She also released a song called "My Mind & Me" to go with the documentary. In August 2023, she released the standalone single "Single Soon".

Recent Projects and Marriage (2024–Present)

In January 2024, Selena shared that she enjoys acting more than music, but later clarified that music is still important to her. In February, she released the single "Love On".

She played a supporting role in the Spanish-language musical crime film Emilia Pérez (2024). Selena took Spanish lessons for the role and performed two songs for the soundtrack. The film won an award at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, and Selena and her female co-stars won the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actress.

Selena co-produced and appeared in the documentary Louder: The Soundtrack of Change, released in October 2024. She also reprised her role as Alex Russo in the spin-off series Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, which premiered in October 2024.

On March 21, 2025, Selena and Benny Blanco released their collaborative album, I Said I Love You First. The album received positive reviews and was a commercial success. Selena and Benny Blanco were married on September 27, 2025.

Selena Gomez's Artistic Style

Musical Style

Selena Gomez is known as a pop artist. Her music often features dance-pop and EDM styles. However, she has also explored other music genres.

Her early band albums with the Scene had electronic rock and pop rock influences. Later, her solo albums like Stars Dance (2013) included elements of electronic, disco, techno, and dancehall. Her songs "The Heart Wants What It Wants" and "Good for You" showed a more mature pop sound.

Influences

Early in her career, Selena mentioned Bruno Mars as an influence for his music style and performances. She has also named artists like Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Taylor Swift as inspirations. Her album Revival was inspired by artists like Christina Aguilera, Janet Jackson, and Britney Spears.

Songwriting

Selena is also a talented songwriter. She often works with other writers to create her songs. Co-writer Ali Tamposi has praised Selena's ideas and her willingness to be honest in her lyrics.

Selena has shared that songwriting is like "the best therapy" for her. She uses it to process her feelings and experiences. For her album Rare, Selena co-wrote every song, showing her deep involvement in the creative process.

Philanthropy and Advocacy

UNICEF Work

In 2008, Selena participated in a fundraiser for St. Jude's Children's Hospital. That same year, she became a spokesperson for UNICEF's "Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF" campaign, encouraging children to raise money for kids around the world.

In 2009, at age 17, Selena became the youngest UNICEF ambassador. She traveled to Ghana to see how UNICEF helps children get clean water, food, education, and healthcare. She wanted to use her fame to bring attention to these important issues. Selena continued to support UNICEF's Trick-or-Treat campaign for several years, helping to raise millions of dollars.

In 2011, Selena visited Chile to meet families helped by UNICEF programs. She also supported the "UNICEF Tap Project" to raise funds for clean water programs in countries like Vietnam and Cameroon. In 2012, she advocated for the "Sound the Alarm" campaign to prevent child deaths from malnutrition.

Selena organized three charity concerts between 2010 and 2013, raising nearly $400,000 for UNICEF programs. In 2014, she visited Nepal to raise awareness for children in need. In 2021, she signed an open letter urging world leaders to donate more coronavirus vaccines.

Other Charity Work

Selena has been involved in many other charitable causes. She supported the UR Votes Count campaign to encourage teenagers to learn about elections. She also became an ambassador for DoSomething, helping dogs in Puerto Rico.

From 2009 to 2012, Selena was part of "Disney's Friends for Change", which promoted environmentally-friendly actions. She recorded a charity song called "Send It On" with other Disney stars, and all proceeds went to conservation. In 2012, she became an ambassador for the Ryan Seacrest Foundation, which helps children's hospitals.

In 2017, Selena partnered with Coach and participated in activities with Step Up, an organization that supports girls in underserved communities. She also attended We Day events in 2018 and 2019, which empower young people. In 2019, she traveled to Kenya to visit schools built by the WE Charity.

In 2020, Selena created the Rare Impact Fund through her company Rare Beauty. This fund aims to help young people access mental health resources, with one percent of all Rare Beauty sales going towards this goal. Her cooking show, Selena + Chef, also donated $10,000 to a different charity in each episode.

In 2023, Selena and Rare Beauty participated in the Los Angeles Pride Parade. The Rare Impact Fund has also donated to organizations like The Trevor Project and Trans Lifeline that support LGBTQ+ youth. In 2024, Selena spoke at the Time 100 Summit about mental health and social media. She also hosted the Rare Beauty Summit to raise mental health awareness.

In response to humanitarian crises, Selena and Rare Beauty have donated funds to organizations providing urgent medical relief and resources. She also signed an Artist4Ceasefire letter in October 2023, calling for peace and condemning violence against civilians. In January 2025, Selena volunteered to help those affected by the January 2025 Southern California wildfires and made donations through Rare Beauty.

Advocacy

Selena is a strong advocate for various causes, especially mental health. She has received awards like the McLean Award and the Mental Health Innovations Award for her work in mental health advocacy.

Selena has spoken out against racism and supported the Black Lives Matter movement. In 2020, she lent her Instagram account to Alicia Garza, a co-founder of Black Lives Matter. In 2021, she participated in the VAX Live concert to promote worldwide COVID-19 vaccine distribution. In 2022, MTV partnered with Selena and the Rare Impact Fund to host the Mental Health Youth Action Forum at the White House.

Business and Ventures

Products and Endorsements

In 2009, Selena was part of Sears's back-to-school fashion campaign. She also became a spokesperson for Borden Milk.

In 2010, Selena launched her own fashion line called Dream Out Loud. The collection featured bohemian clothing made from recycled or eco-friendly materials. She worked with Kmart to release the clothing line until 2014.

Selena released her first perfume in 2012 and a second one, Vivamore by Selena Gomez, in 2013. She also created her own line of nail polish colors for Nicole by OPI.

From 2013 to 2015, Selena was a spokesperson for Neo by Adidas. In 2015, she signed an endorsement deal with Pantene hair products. In 2016, she appeared in campaigns for Louis Vuitton and Coca-Cola.

In 2017, Selena became the new face of Coach, releasing limited-edition handbag collections. That same year, she signed a contract with the athletic brand Puma as a brand ambassador, launching her own collection called SG x PUMA Strong Girl. Selena has been one of the highest-paid people on Instagram for several years.

In 2020, Selena became an owner and investor in the ice cream brand Serendipity. In 2021, she launched a swimwear line with La'Mariette and co-founded the mental health media platform Wondermind. She also became an investor in the food delivery company Gopuff. In 2022, she collaborated with Our Place on a cookware line.

Rare Beauty

In September 2020, Selena launched her own makeup and cosmetics brand, Rare Beauty. The brand focuses on promoting inclusivity and mental health initiatives. Rare Beauty products are cruelty-free and vegan, and packaged with recyclable materials.

Rare Beauty quickly became very successful, selling in Sephora stores worldwide. It was named Startup of the Year in 2020 and one of Time's most influential companies of 2024.

As of May 2024, Rare Beauty is valued at $2 billion. It is one of the best-selling brands at Sephora and a fast-growing celebrity beauty brand on social media. In 2023, Rare Beauty's estimated revenue reached $300 million. In September 2024, it was reported that Selena had become a billionaire, with much of her wealth coming from Rare Beauty.

Selena Gomez's Impact

Selena has had a huge impact on social media. Her posts are liked by millions, and she was named the number one positive influencer on social media in 2022. She is considered a key personality in global media due to her work in music, films, television, cosmetics, and social activism.

Rolling Stone India recognized her as one of the most influential pop culture icons of her time. Time honored her as one of the "women who are changing the world." The Hollywood Reporter has included her in their Power 100 list as one of the most powerful women in entertainment.

Wax figures of Selena Gomez have been displayed at Madame Tussauds Wax Museums in various cities since 2010. Her work has inspired many other artists and entertainers, including Billie Eilish, Hailee Steinfeld, and Jenna Ortega.

In October 2024, the Government of France honored Selena with the title of Chevalier de l'Ordre des arts et des lettres for her contributions to French culture. The Hollywood Reporter also gave her the Equity in Entertainment Award, recognizing her use of her voice to "change the world for the better."

Achievements and Records

Selena Gomez has won many awards, including an American Music Award, a Billboard Music Award, a Cannes Film Festival, 16 Guinness World Records, and multiple MTV Video Music Awards and People's Choice Awards. She has also been nominated for two Grammy Awards and a Latin Grammy Award for her music.

For her acting, she won a Satellite Award and has been nominated for Golden Globe Awards and Screen Actors Guild Awards. As a producer, she has received six Emmy Awards nominations, making her the most-nominated Latina producer in the Outstanding Comedy Series category. She holds the record for the most Kids' Choice Awards wins for an individual, with 12 awards.

Selena is one of the most-streamed female artists of the 2010s on Spotify and Apple Music. In November 2018, she became Spotify's most-streamed artist with 46 million monthly listeners.

She has been included in many prestigious lists, such as Forbes 30 Under 30 and Times 100 most influential people. Billboard named her Woman of the Year in 2017.

Her collaboration with Rema, "Calm Down", is considered the most successful Afrobeats song of all time. It broke records for being the highest- and longest-charting African artist-led song on the Hot 100. Selena is one of only six women to have at least three number-one singles on the Pop Airplay chart from a single album.

Selena has topped the Billboard 200 album chart three times and the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart once. As of 2023, she has sold millions of songs and albums in the United States. Seven of her songs have reached over one billion streams on Spotify, and two of her music videos have over two billion views on YouTube.

Selena Gomez's Personal Life

Property

Selena Gomez lives in a $5 million mansion in the Encino neighborhood of Los Angeles. She has owned several homes in California and Texas over the years.

Beliefs

Selena was raised Catholic. She has shared that she believes in faith and a relationship with God, rather than just religion. She has attended Pentecostal Hillsong Church and has spoken about her Christian faith.

Health

Selena was diagnosed with lupus erythematosus between 2012 and 2014. In 2017, she shared that she received a kidney transplant from her friend Francia Raisa. She faced a serious complication during the transplant that required additional surgery.

Selena has been very open about her experiences with anxiety and depression. She started psychotherapy in her early twenties and has spent time in treatment facilities to focus on her well-being. She has also shared that she has bipolar disorder and has experienced challenging mental health times. Selena has taken breaks from social media to protect her mental health.

In September 2024, Selena shared about her health challenges that affect her ability to have children naturally. She mentioned being open to exploring other ways to have a family in the future, like surrogacy or adoption. In November 2024, she also shared about a prior diagnosis of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.

Relationships

Selena Gomez married record producer Benny Blanco on September 27, 2025. She had been dating him since June 2023.

Filmography

Selena Gomez has appeared in many television shows and films, including:

• The Suite Life of Zack & Cody (2006)
• Hannah Montana (2007)
• Wizards of Waverly Place (2007–2012)
• Another Cinderella Story (2008)
• Princess Protection Program (2009)
• Ramona and Beezus (2010)
• The Muppets (2011)
• Spring Breakers (2012)
• Hotel Transylvania (2012–2022)
• Girl Rising (2013)
• The Wizards Return: Alex vs. Alex (2013)
• Rudderless (2014)
• The Fundamentals of Caring (2016)
• Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising (2016)
• The Dead Don't Die (2019)
• A Rainy Day in New York (2019)
• Selena + Chef (2020–2023)
• Only Murders in the Building (2021–present)
• Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me (2022)
• Emilia Pérez (2024)
• Wizards Beyond Waverly Place (2024–2025)

She also executive produced the television series 13 Reasons Why (2017–2020) and Living Undocumented (2019).

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)

Images for kids

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  Gomez promoting hair brand Pantene in 2015

See also

In Spanish: Selena Gomez para niños