Selena Gomez Biography

 A fixture in the Disney universe of TV shows, movies and music, Selena Gomez is famous for her role in Wizards of Waverly Place, in which she plays a wizard named Alex.

Synopsis

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 Cody and Hannah Montana. In 2007, she was cast in the lead on Wizards of Waverly Place and in 2009 released a music album. Her recent projects include the film Spring Breakers (2013) and the 2015 single "Good for You."

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 onWalker, 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 became a hit on the channel and ran until 2012. 

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 movie Another Cinderella Story, and a song for the animated movie Tinker Bell. Gomez recorded the single "One and the Same" for her movie Princess 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.

Recent Projects

In 2012, Gomez performed the voice of Mavis in the animated film Hotel Transylvania (2012). She then starred alongside James Franco and Vanessa Hudgens, among others, in Harmony Korine's comedic crime thriller Spring Breakers (2013). That same year, Gomez co-starred with Ethan Hawke in the action thriller Getaway. She also continues to pursue her musical career, releasing Stars Dance in 2013 and a greatest hits collection For You in 2014. Gomez also starred in the 2014 comedy Behaving Badly.

Gomez returned to the charts with the single "Good for You" in the summer of 2015. She is also contributed her voice to Hotel Transylvania 2, which is set to be released that fall.  

Personal Life

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 is also a longtime supporter of UNICEF. She became one of the organization's ambassadors in 2009 and works to help the world's children through her C.A.N. (Charity, Action, Now) initiative. 

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.

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