SELENA GOMEZ
NORHAN MALAN WINTER 2023
Childhood
Selena Maria Gomez is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She was born in Grand Prairie, Texas on July 22, 1992, to parents Amanda Dawn Cornett and Ricardo Gomez. Gomez has 3 half-siblings, Gracie, Sara, and Marcus.
With her parents divorcing when she was five, Selena spent a lot of time with her grandparents and mother and adopted a lot of their hobbies and interests. Selena was inspired by her mother’s past stage performances and began attending auditions and tryouts for herself.
“Success is nothing if you don’t have the right people to share it with; you’re just gonna end up lonely”
Starting Out
In 2006, the young actress began her Disney Channel career with a couple of guest appearances on pre-existing television shows.
The following year, she was cast as the protagonist in the show, Wizards of Waverly Place. At just 15 years old, Selena led the magical series with her portrayal of the character Alex Russo, she worked on this successful project until 2012.
Her first break came with the television show, Barney and Friends, in 2002, when she was chosen to play a character named Gianna. From this time to quitting Barney and Friends in 2004, Gomez made several guest appearances in various films.
During her Disney days, Gomez also worked on her film career, acting in titles from The Princess Protection Program to Another Cinderella Story.
“Being yourself is all it takes”
Becoming a Popstar
As she was excelling in her acting career, Selena also began pursuing her music career in 2009. The band Selena Gomez and the Scene formed, leading to long-serving pop stardom. The band immediately came out with hits like 'Naturally', 'Who Says' and 'Love You Like A Love Song'. Selena Gomez & the Scene released an album every year from 2009, 'Kiss & Tell', 'A Year Without Rain' and 'When the Sun Goes Down' before they disbanded in 2012.
“I’ve learned that I have to open myself up to all opportunities”
After the split of Selena Gomez & The Scene, the young star went solo. The release of her debut single 'Come & Get It' in 2013 marked the beginning of her reign as a pop sensation. In 2013, at just 20 years old, she released the 'Stars Dance' album, showcasing mature lyrics and a more dance-pop style of music.
Her second album ‘Revival’, was released two years later, following this new trend of music. The SG2 album included hits such as ‘Same Old Love’, ‘Hands To Myself’, and ‘It Ain’t Me’.
Not long after this era, Selena was unfortunately diagnosed with lupus, an autoimmune disease that affects the body’s immune system and causes it to attack objects that aren’t foreign.
Health
Gomez revealed her lupus diagnosis in a 2015 Billboard article and has since spoken up about managing the condition, especially during her journey of receiving a kidney transplant due to the complications of her condition.
Lupus could also take a toll on mental health. Through this, Selena has been open to explaining the panic attacks, anxiety, and depression she suffers from due to this diagnosis.
“Everything happens for a reason and, something better will come along for me”
In 2020, she launched the Rare Impact Fund, which pledged to donate 1% of all reveune from her makeup line to a fund that would help expand mental health services and education for young people.
Television
In the years that followed, Gomez took on this role with several other projects, such as her cooking show, Selena + Chef, a couple of independent films as well as the latest comedy the actress has starred in, Only Murders in the Building. The mysterycomedy has been a hit among her fans, with many expressing their joy at seeing Selena on television screens once more.
The show returned for a second season the following year, with the star reprising her role as Mabel Mora and acting alongside comedy stars Steve Martin and Martin Short.
In 2017, she made a return to television but this time as an executive producer. Alongside her mother, Selena produced Netflix's hit drama show 13 Reasons Why.
“Live like there’s no tomorrow”
“I’m reborn in every moment, who knows what I’ll become”
The Return
Five years after her last record, Gomez released 'Rare', a dance-pop album that spawned hits with 'Lose You to Love Me' as well as its self-titled track. 2020 also saw the launch of her very own make-up line, Rare Beauty.
In 2022, she released her own documentary, Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me. In the documentary, the star teased a brand-new song, exciting fans into overdrive at their first look at her next era. The film also gave insight into her longspanning career, struggles with fame, as well as her battles with her physical and mental health. The music star even hinted she might make a return to the road, stating: "I am open to a tour, 1,000 percent."
Today, Selena Gomez is known as a figure and advocate for mental health and body positivity. As of February 2023, Selena has won 150 awards and has received 455 nominations. This includes awards in the music, acting, and makeup industry.
“You have every right to a beautiful life”
Impact
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