Born on July 22, 1992, in Grand Prairie, Texas, Selena Gomez got her start in show business with a two-year run on the kids' show Barney and Friends. After a few bit parts in movies, Gomez guest-starred on Disney Channel's The Suite Life of Zack and Codyand Hannah Montana. In 2007, she was cast in the lead on Wizards of Waverly Place and in 2009 released a music album. In early 2014, it was reported that Gomez had been diagnosed with Lupus.
Early life and acting career
Selena Marie Gomez was born in Grand Prairie, Texas, on July 22, 1992, to Amanda Cornett and Ricardo Gomez. Her mother, commonly known as Mandy, gave birth to Gomez at the age of 16.
Selena began her career in show business in 2001 when she performed on the popular children's show Barney & Friends, as Gianna. Gomez was dropped from the series after two years in 2003. Over the next two years, Gomez auditioned for shows without much success. She landed a small role in the movie Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over in 2003 and a bit part as Julie on Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire in 2005. She also got a part as Emily Grace Garcia in the television show Brain Zapped in 2006, and even recorded a song for the show.
In 2006, Selena Gomez got her first major role when she guest starred as Gwen in The Suite Life of Zack and Cody on the Disney Channel. Also on the Disney Channel, Gomez played the role as the evil Mikayla in Hannah Montana.
Selena Gomez landed her first starring role when the Disney Channel cast her as Alex Russo in the series Wizards of Waverly Place in 2007. The series has become a popular fixture on the channel.
In 2008, Gomez made her first animated movie, Horton Hears a Who!, and later starred in the ABC Family movie Another Cinderella Story with Disney Channel star Andrew Seeley. Selena filmed two movies for the Disney Channel Original Movie franchise as well. The first was Princess Protection Program, which was released in 2009 and also starred Demi Lovato. Later in 2009, she starred in Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie.
Growing Music Career
Selena Gomez also has a growing music career. She started in 2008, when she recorded a cover of "Cruella de Vil" for DisneyMania 6. She also recorded three songs for the soundtrack to her movieAnother Cinderella Story, and a song for the animated movie Tinker Bell. Gomez recorded the single "One and the Same" for her moviePrincess Protection Program as a duet with friend and co-star Demi Lovato. She also recorded four songs for the soundtrack to her other feature film, The Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie.
In 2008, Gomez singed a record contract with Hollywood Records and began working on her debut album, Kiss and Tell, which was released in September 2009. Gomez also had a cameo in the Jonas Brothers' music video for the single "Burnin' Up," released in 2008.
In Recent Years
In 2012, Gomez starred alongside James Franco and Vanessa Hudgens, among others, in Harmony Korine's comedic crime thrillerSpring Breakers.
That same year, she performed the voice of Mavis in the animated film Hotel Transylvania (2012).
Outside of acting and music, Gomez has served as a spokesperson for Borden Milk, appearing in the organization's advertising campaign and print ads. She also worked on a teen-voting campaign that helped encourage teenagers to learn more about the 2008 presidential candidates.
Gomez was romantically linked to pop singer Justin Bieber from 2011 to 2013. In early January 2014, it was reported that Gomez had been battling Lupus—an autoimmune disease that can cause facial swelling, fatigue, headaches and joint pain—for more than two years. She was officially diagnosed with the disease in 2012.
Despite her earlier statements, Gomez confirmed in October 2012 that work had begun on an upcoming album. The album's lead single, "Come & Get It", was released on April 8, 2013. The song received a 2x Platinum certification from the RIAA in the US and Canada as well receive gold in three other countries. It peaked at number six on the US Billboard Hot 100 becoming her first song to reach the Top 10. Gomez later confirmed that the album would be her solo debut album, rather than her band's fourth album. Gomez's debut album, Stars Dance, was released on July 23, 2013. It debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 becoming her first album to do so as well as having the highest first week sales of any of her albums. Gomez has since confirmed that she plans to take another musical hiatus following the release of Stars Dance, and hopes to focus on her acting career.
Gomez had a cameo role in Aftershock, a thriller starring Eli Roth, which premiered at the 37th Annual Toronto International Film Festival. Gomez also appeared in the thriller Getaway, with Ethan Hawke, Jon Voight and Bruce Payne, which was released on August 30, 2013 in the United States. Next, Gomez is set to star in the film adaptation of the Ric Browde novel While I'm Dead... Feed the Dog opposite Dylan McDermott and Nat Wolff. The film, titled Behaving Bad, will be directed by Tim Garrick. Gomez also reprised her role as Alex Russo in a one-hour special titled The Wizards Return: Alex vs. Alex, that began production on October 22, 2012, and finished filming on November 10, 2012. It aired on Disney Channel on March 15, 2013. In April 2013, Gomez joined William H. Macy's directorial debut Rudderless. Filming began the same month. In October 2013, she reported her decision to not be focusing in just one thing and still doing both acting and singing instead of her past decision to just be focused on acting after the release of Stars Dance.
In December 2013, Gomez announced the cancellation of the Australian-Asian leg of her Stars Dance Tour and stated that she would be taking a short hiatus to spend time with her family. Starting on January 5, 2014, Gomez spent two weeks at Dawn at The Meadows, a treatment center in Wickenburg, Arizona that specializes in treating addiction and trauma in young people. Her representative stated that she had spent time there "voluntarily [...] but not for substance abuse."