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Selena Gomez (full name — Selena Marie Gomez; born July 22, 1992, in Grand Prairie, Texas, USA) — is an American singer, actress, producer and entrepreneur. She rose to fame as a teenager through her role as Alex Russo in the Disney Channel series Wizards of Waverly Place, later building a successful solo music career and becoming one of the most recognizable American pop artists of her generation.
Before beginning her solo career, Gomez released three albums as part of Selena Gomez & the Scene. Her solo discography includes Stars Dance, Revival and Rare, the Spanish-language EP Revelación, and the collaborative album I Said I Love You First with producer Benny Blanco. Her best-known songs include «Love You Like a Love Song», «Come & Get It», «Good for You», «Same Old Love», «Hands to Myself», «It Ain't Me», «Wolves», «Lose You to Love Me», «Baila Conmigo» and the Rema remix «Calm Down» featuring Gomez.
Alongside her music career, Selena Gomez has maintained a full acting career. She plays Mabel Mora and serves as an executive producer on Only Murders in the Building, appeared in Jacques Audiard's film Emilia Pérez, and made her directorial debut in 2026. Outside the entertainment industry, Gomez founded the cosmetics brand Rare Beauty and its associated charitable organization, the Rare Impact Fund.
Childhood and First Roles
Selena Marie Gomez was born in Grand Prairie, Texas. Her father, Ricardo Gomez, is an American of Mexican descent. Her parents named her after singer Selena Quintanilla, one of the biggest stars of Tejano music.
Selena's parents separated when she was a child. She was raised primarily by her mother, Amanda Cornett, who herself had an interest in theater. Watching her mother's work helped spark Gomez's early interest in acting.
She landed her first regular role at around the age of ten on the children's program Barney & Friends. Demi Lovato also appeared in the show. Gomez later had smaller roles in films and television projects, including Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over and several Disney Channel productions.
In 2007, Gomez was cast as Alex Russo in Wizards of Waverly Place. The character — a strong-willed teenager from a family of wizards living in New York City — became her first major breakthrough role. The series ran for four seasons and turned Gomez into one of Disney's leading young stars of the late 2000s.
During the same period, Selena Gomez appeared in Another Cinderella Story, Princess Protection Program and the feature-length Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie.
Selena Gomez & the Scene
Gomez began pursuing music while working with Disney. At first, she recorded songs for television and film projects, but by the end of the 2000s music had developed into a separate career direction.
Instead of launching immediately as a solo artist, she formed the band Selena Gomez & the Scene. The group signed with Hollywood Records and released its debut album Kiss & Tell in September 2009.
One of the album's key tracks was «Naturally», an energetic song combining dance-pop and electronic pop. This sound defined a significant part of Gomez's early music.
The second album, A Year Without Rain, followed in 2010, and When the Sun Goes Down arrived in 2011. The latter produced two especially notable singles: «Who Says» and «Love You Like a Love Song».
After touring in support of the third album, Selena Gomez & the Scene went on hiatus. Gomez shifted her focus toward acting and preparation for her first solo record.
Stars Dance
Her first solo studio album, Stars Dance, was released in July 2013. Compared with the recordings of The Scene, the material leaned more heavily toward electronic dance music.
The lead single «Come & Get It» reached the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100. Stars Dance itself debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, becoming the first number-one album of Gomez's career.
At the same time, Gomez was trying to move beyond the acting image associated with Disney. An important step was her role as Faith in Harmony Korine's provocative 2012 crime drama Spring Breakers.
After Stars Dance, Gomez released the compilation For You, which included the new song «The Heart Wants What It Wants». The release marked the end of her period with Hollywood Records.
Revival
After moving to Interscope Records, Selena Gomez became more actively involved in shaping her own sound. Her second solo album, Revival, was released on October 9, 2015.
The electronic foundation remained, but the arrangements became less dense. R&B influences, minimalist rhythms and a more restrained vocal approach moved to the foreground.
The single «Good for You», featuring A$AP Rocky, became one of her biggest hits of the period. It was followed by «Same Old Love», «Hands to Myself» and «Kill Em with Kindness».
Revival debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. The supporting tour began in spring 2016, but several later dates were canceled because of Gomez's health.
Health and Touring Hiatus
In the mid-2010s, Selena Gomez publicly revealed that she had been diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus. The condition and its complications forced her to reduce her workload on several occasions.
In 2017, Gomez underwent a kidney transplant. The donor was her friend, actress Francia Raisa. This period had a major impact on her touring activity: after the Revival Tour, she went many years without mounting another major solo tour.
She continued releasing music, however. In 2017 came «It Ain't Me» with Kygo, «Bad Liar», «Fetish» and «Wolves» with Marshmello. In 2018, Gomez joined DJ Snake, Cardi B and Ozuna on the international hit «Taki Taki».
Rare and Her First Billboard Hot 100 No. 1
In autumn 2019, Selena Gomez released the piano ballad «Lose You to Love Me». The song became her first single to reach number one on the US Billboard Hot 100.
The following day she released the much more rhythmic «Look at Her Now». Both tracks appeared on her third solo studio album, Rare, released on January 10, 2020.
The sound of Rare was built on light electronic production, compact rhythmic patterns and relatively spacious arrangements. Gomez did not attempt to compete with singers known for large vocal ranges or technical showmanship. Her delivery became even more intimate: a soft voice, close-miked recording and an emphasis on phrasing.
The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. As a result, Stars Dance, Revival and Rare — Selena Gomez's first three solo studio albums — all topped the US album chart.
Revelación and Spanish-Language Music
In March 2021, Gomez released the Spanish-language EP Revelación. It was produced by Tainy, one of the most influential figures in contemporary Latin pop.
The project included «De Una Vez», «Baila Conmigo» with Rauw Alejandro and «Dámelo To'» with Myke Towers. Rather than directly continuing her American pop sound, Gomez moved toward reggaeton, Latin pop and softer electronic production.
Revelación was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Latin Pop Album category. It became Gomez's first Grammy nomination for one of her own releases.
Calm Down
A distinct chapter in Selena Gomez's music career came through her collaboration with Nigerian singer Rema. In August 2022, a new version of his song «Calm Down» featuring Gomez's vocals was released.
The track was not part of one of her own albums, but it became one of the biggest commercial successes in her discography. In the United States, «Calm Down» reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and remained on the chart for more than a year.
The song also helped bring African pop and Afrobeats to an even broader international audience. For Gomez, the release became comparable in recognition to her biggest solo hits despite her role as a featured artist.
In 2023, she released the solo single «Single Soon», produced by Benny Blanco and Cashmere Cat.
I Said I Love You First
Selena Gomez's next major project was recorded with American producer Benny Blanco. By the time their romantic relationship began, the two had already crossed paths in the studio for years and worked together on several songs.
The collaborative album I Said I Love You First was released on March 21, 2025. Rather than functioning as a conventional collection of singer-producer collaborations, the record was structured as a single narrative — moving from past relationships and emotional exhaustion toward the beginning of a new romance.
The first song introduced from the project was the intimate «Scared of Loving You». It was followed by «Call Me When You Break Up» featuring Gracie Abrams, «Sunset Blvd» and «Younger and Hotter Than Me».
«Ojos Tristes» incorporates material from Jeanette's song «El Muchacho de los Ojos Tristes», while the electronic track «Bluest Flame» was created with contributions from Dylan Brady and Cashmere Cat.
I Said I Love You First debuted at number two on the Billboard 200. An expanded edition titled I Said I Love You First... And You Said It Back followed later.
«Bluest Flame» received a 2026 Grammy nomination for Best Dance Pop Recording.
New Recordings in 2025–2026
After the collaborative album, Selena Gomez did not announce a new solo studio project, but she continued appearing on individual recordings.
In autumn 2025, she reunited with Cardi B on the track «Pick It Up», included on the rapper's album Am I the Drama?. The two artists had previously appeared together on «Taki Taki».
In November, Gomez released the solo dance single «In the Dark», connected with the soundtrack to the second season of the series Nobody Wants This.
On July 31, 2026, Benny Blanco, Selena Gomez and Becky G released the Spanish-language song «Te Olvido (La La)». The track appeared on Blanco's album Hermoso and continued the Latin-oriented strand of Gomez's discography.
Only Murders in the Building
In 2021, Selena Gomez took on her first regular television role in many years, playing Mabel Mora in the comedy mystery series Only Murders in the Building.
Her co-stars are Steve Martin and Martin Short. The three central characters are residents of the same New York apartment building who share an interest in true-crime podcasts and gradually become involved in real investigations.
Gomez participates in the project not only as an actress but also as an executive producer. From its first season, Only Murders in the Building has regularly received Emmy nominations, including for Outstanding Comedy Series.
In 2024, Selena Gomez received her first Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her portrayal of Mabel. As an executive producer, she was among the nominees for Outstanding Comedy Series in 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026.
Emilia Pérez
In 2024, Gomez played Jessi Del Monte in French director Jacques Audiard's musical crime drama Emilia Pérez.
The film competed in the main competition at the Cannes Film Festival. The jury awarded the Best Actress prize collectively to four actresses from the film: Karla Sofía Gascón, Zoe Saldaña, Adriana Paz and Selena Gomez.
For the same performance, Gomez received Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations for supporting actress.
Emilia Pérez became one of Gomez's most notable efforts to move decisively beyond television comedy and youth-oriented film. At the same time, the movie generated a divided response from critics and audiences, particularly over its depiction of Mexico and its use of Spanish, meaning its place in Gomez's filmography is defined by more than awards alone.
Producing Work
Selena Gomez became involved in producing long before Only Murders in the Building. One of her first major projects was the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why, where she worked as an executive producer.
Later came the cooking series Selena + Chef, launched during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gomez was not only the host but also one of the executive producers.
In 2024, she returned with David Henrie to the franchise that had originally launched her major television success. In the sequel series Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, Gomez again played Alex Russo and served as an executive producer.
In August 2026, the project's final four-episode installment was released. Selena Gomez directed the first episode herself, marking her directorial debut. She also returned once again as Alex in the concluding episodes.
Other Film and Television Work
Selena Gomez's filmography extends beyond Disney, Only Murders in the Building and Emilia Pérez. She appeared in Jim Jarmusch's zombie comedy The Dead Don't Die, as well as The Fundamentals of Caring and A Rainy Day in New York.
Voice acting has also been a significant part of her career. Across several installments of the Hotel Transylvania franchise, Gomez voiced Mavis, Count Dracula's daughter, and later became one of the franchise's executive producers.
Rare Beauty
In September 2020, Selena Gomez launched the cosmetics brand Rare Beauty. Unlike many short-lived celebrity beauty lines, the company grew into an independent international business.
One of Rare Beauty's signature products became the Soft Pinch liquid blush, while the product range gradually expanded from makeup into skincare and fragrance.
The commercial value of the business had a major effect on Gomez's personal wealth as well. In 2024, Bloomberg estimated her net worth at more than one billion dollars, identifying her stake in Rare Beauty as the primary source of her fortune.
The brand also operates the Rare Impact Fund. Rare Beauty directs 1% of its sales to the fund, which supports expanded access to mental health services and programs.
Mental Health and Public Work
Selena Gomez has repeatedly spoken publicly about her own experience with mental health treatment. The subject became one of the central themes of the 2022 documentary Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me.
Directed by Alek Keshishian, the film covers several years of Gomez's life, including canceled tours, treatment, her return to work and her efforts to cope with constant public attention.
Along with entrepreneur Mandy Teefey and Daniella Pierson, Gomez was also involved in creating the mental health platform Wondermind.
Another long-term area of her charitable work has been connected with UNICEF. Selena Gomez has served as a UNICEF ambassador since 2009.
Musical Style
Selena Gomez began with teen-oriented dance-pop and pop-rock typical of Disney artists in the late 2000s. Over time, the guitar-driven side of her sound almost completely disappeared.
Stars Dance leaned toward EDM, while Revival introduced a more minimalist pop sound with clear R&B influences. On Rare, that approach became even more restrained: fewer dense arrangements and more emphasis on voice, rhythm and small production details.
A separate part of her catalog is tied to Spanish-language and Latin music — from «Taki Taki» and Revelación to «Ojos Tristes» and «Te Olvido (La La)».
Gomez's vocal style is not built around a large range or complex melisma. Her most effective recordings use other qualities of her voice — a soft timbre, close-miked delivery and calm, sometimes almost conversational phrasing. This makes her particularly well suited to minimalist electronic pop and slower songs.
Personal Life
Selena Gomez and producer Benny Blanco knew each other and had collaborated long before beginning a romantic relationship. Their relationship became public in 2023.
They announced their engagement in December 2024. On September 27, 2025, Gomez and Blanco married in California.
By that point, their personal and professional lives had already overlapped: the collaborative I Said I Love You First was not simply a Selena Gomez album produced by Blanco, but a fully shared project between the two artists.
Selena Gomez Discography
Selena Gomez & the Scene
- 2009 — Kiss & Tell
- 2010 — A Year Without Rain
- 2011 — When the Sun Goes Down
Solo Studio Albums
- 2013 — Stars Dance
- 2015 — Revival
- 2020 — Rare
Collaborative Albums
- 2025 — I Said I Love You First — with Benny Blanco
EPs
- 2021 — Revelación
Compilation Albums
- 2014 — For You
Selected Songs
«Naturally», «A Year Without Rain», «Who Says», «Love You Like a Love Song», «Come & Get It», «The Heart Wants What It Wants», «Good for You», «Same Old Love», «Hands to Myself», «It Ain't Me», «Bad Liar», «Wolves», «Taki Taki», «Lose You to Love Me», «Look at Her Now», «Rare», «De Una Vez», «Baila Conmigo», «Calm Down», «Single Soon», «Call Me When You Break Up», «Sunset Blvd», «Bluest Flame», «In the Dark» and «Te Olvido (La La)».
Major Awards and Nominations
- 2017 — Billboard Woman of the Year.
- 2022 — Grammy: Revelación nominated for Best Latin Pop Album.
- 2024 — Cannes Film Festival: Best Actress award for Emilia Pérez, shared with Karla Sofía Gascón, Zoe Saldaña and Adriana Paz.
- 2024 — Primetime Emmy: nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for Only Murders in the Building.
- 2025 — Golden Globe: nomination for supporting actress in Emilia Pérez.
- 2025 — BAFTA: nomination for supporting actress in Emilia Pérez.
- 2025 — Screen Actors Guild Awards: win by the cast of Only Murders in the Building for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series.
- 2026 — Grammy: «Bluest Flame» nominated for Best Dance Pop Recording.
Selena Gomez Today
In Selena Gomez's career, music has long existed on equal footing with acting and producing. She releases albums less frequently than she did in the early 2010s, but individual singles and collaborations continue to appear regularly between major projects — from «Calm Down» to her work with Benny Blanco.
Her return to Alex Russo as both an executive producer and director brought the television side of her biography full circle: the Disney project that first made Gomez globally famous became, nearly two decades later, the setting for her directorial debut. Her music career has remained independent of that arc, encompassing pop albums, Spanish-language releases and collaborations with artists from a wide range of scenes.
