Selena Gomez
Selena Gomez | |
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Gomez at the Walmart Soundcheck Concert, July 2013
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Born | Selena Marie Gomez July 22, 1992 Grand Prairie, Texas, United States |
Occupation | |
Years active | 2002–present |
Television | Barney & Friends, Wizards of Waverly Place |
Musical career | |
Genres | |
Instruments | Vocals |
Labels | |
Associated acts | |
Website | selenagomez |
Gomez entered the film industry with star billings in feature films including Ramona and Beezus (2010), Monte Carlo (2011), and Hotel Transylvania (2012). She embraced an increasingly mature public image with her star billing in the controversial film Spring Breakers (2013) and her debut solo studio album Stars Dance (2013). The latter project debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200 and spawned the Billboard Hot 100 top-ten single "Come & Get It". Gomez was released from her recording contract with Hollywood Records following the completion of her greatest hits album For You (2014). She subsequently signed with Interscope Records to continue work on her second studio album, Revival (2015).[6]
Beyond entertainment, Gomez has ventured into other endeavors. She has worked with numerous organizations for charitable causes, and has most notably worked with UNICEF for several years. She formed her own production company, July Moon Productions, in 2008. In Fall of 2010, Gomez launched her clothing line "Dream Out Loud" through Kmart; the brand features all material that was made from eco-friendly or recycled material. In 2011, she released a self-titled perfume.
Contents
Life and career
1992–2005: Early life and career beginnings
Selena Marie Gomez was born in Grand Prairie, Texas on July 22, 1992,[7] to Ricardo Joel Gomez and former stage actress Amanda Dawn "Mandy" Cornett.[8][9][10] Gomez was named after Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla-Perez.[11] Her father is of Mexican descent while her mother, who was adopted, has some Italian ancestry.[12][13][14] Regarding her Hispanic heritage, Gomez has stated, "My family does have Quinceañeras, and we go to the communion church. We do everything that's Catholic, but we don't really have anything traditional except [that we] go to the park and have barbecues on Sundays after church."[15] Gomez's parents divorced when she was only five, with Gomez staying with her mother.[8][16] Gomez has two siblings. Her sister, Gracie Elliot Teefey, was born to Amanda and her second husband Brian Teefey on June 12, 2013.[17][18] Gomez has a second sister, Victoria Gomez, born to Ricardo and his wife Sara on June 25, 2014.[19] She earned a high school diploma through homeschooling in May 2010.[20]When Gomez was born, her mother was sixteen years old.[21] The family had financial troubles during Gomez's childhood, with her mother struggling to provide for the pair.[22] At one point, Gomez recalled the pair had to search for quarters just to get gas for their car.[22] Her mother later recalled the two would frequently walk to their local dollar store to purchase spaghetti for dinner, though got by.[22] Gomez stated "I was frustrated that my parents weren't together, and never saw the light at the end of the tunnel where my mom was working hard to provide a better life for me. I'm terrified of what I would have become if I'd stayed [in Texas]."[23] She later added "I remember having a lot of macaroni and cheese but my mom never made it seem like it was a big deal. She was really strong around me. Having me at 16 had to have been a big responsibility. My mom gave up everything for me, had three jobs, supported me sacrificed her life for me."[24][unreliable source?] Gomez had a close relationship with her grandparents as a child, and appeared in various pageants growing up.[25][unreliable source?] Her grandparents often took care of Selena while her parents finished their schooling, and the pair went as far as stating that they "raised her" up until she found success in the entertainment industry.[26][unreliable source?]
She first gained an interest in pursuing a career in the entertainment industry watching her mother prepare for stage productions.[27] She began auditioning for various roles, meeting Demi Lovato during an audition for Barney and Friends.[28] Both girls were later selected to appear on the series in 2002,[29][30] with Gomez portraying the character Gianna.[31] The show was her first experience in acting, with Gomez recalling "I was very shy when I was little [...] I didn't know what 'camera right' was. I didn't know what blocking was. I learned everything from Barney."[32] Gomez appeared in fourteen episodes of the show throughout 2002 to 2004, though was let go by the show's producers as she was getting "too old" for the series.[33] While working on the series, Gomez had a cameo role in the film Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over (2003) and the made-for-television film Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire (2005).[34]
2006–08: Breakthrough with Wizards of Waverly Place
With Gomez achieving mainstream success, the media began to compare her to fellow Disney star Miley Cyrus; both had a hit series on the network.[46] Various bloggers and sites began to depict the two as rivals, with rumors of a feud between the two continuing for multiple years.[47][48] Despite this, both parties denied that there was any drama between the two.[49] Following Demi Lovato's rise to fame through the Disney channel shortly afterwards, the three became referred to as the "Disney girls" and their careers were frequently compared to one another.[50][51][52][53][54] Forbes magazine later listed Gomez as one of the "Eight Hot Kid Stars to Watch" in 2008.[55] Further attention was drawn to Gomez when it was reported that she was in a relationship with fellow Disney star Nick Jonas.[56][57][58] Gomez later appeared in the music video for the song "Burnin' Up" by the Jonas Brothers.[59] This further fueled rumors of a feud between Gomez and Cyrus, as Nick and Cyrus had previously been a couple.[60][61] She later appeared in an episode of the reality series Jonas Brothers: Living the Dream.[62]
While working on the second season of Wizards of Waverly Place, Gomez appeared on the Disney channel special Studio DC: Almost Live alongside various other Disney stars.[63] She contributed a cover of the song "Cruella de Vil" to the compilation album DisneyMania 6,[64] and later recorded the original song "Fly to Your Heart" for the soundtrack of the animated film Tinker Bell.[65] She had a leading role in the musical film Another Cinderella Story that same year, portraying an aspiring dancer.[66] The film was released to generally positive reviews, and won the 2010 Writers Guild of America Award for Children's script-long form or special.[67] Gomez recorded three songs for the soundtrack, and released the song "Tell Me Something I Don't Know" as a promotional single.[68] Later that year, Gomez had the supporting role of Helga in the animated film Horton Hears a Who!.[69] The film was a commercial success, and went on to gross nearly three hundred million dollars worldwide.[70] She was signed a recording contract with Hollywood Records, who had already signed both Cyrus and Lovato.[71][72]
Gomez launched her own production company, July Moon Productions.[73][74] She partnered with XYZ Films for the project, giving Gomez the opportunity to option articles, hire writers and create talent packages to shop to studios.[75][76] Gomez was slated to release two films under the company. The first, known as What Boys Want, saw Gomez portray a girl who could hear the thought of men.[77] She later announced the film Thirteen Reasons Why, which saw Gomez portray a young girl who commits suicide; ultimately, neither film was released.[78]
2009–11: Selena Gomez & the Scene and film career
Gomez continued to have mainstream success throughout the following year, appearing as Alex Russo in a crossover episode of the Disney series The Suite Life on Deck.[79] She later made a guest appearance on the Disney series Sonny With a Chance, starring Lovato.[80] She appeared in a remix of the Forever the Sickest Kids' single "Whoa Oh! (Me vs. Everyone)", released as a single in April of that year.[81] The song peaked at number 78 on the Pop 100 chart in the United States.[82] Gomez, along with Lovato, starred in the Disney Channel film Princess Protection Program, which aired in June 2009. The film was a critical success,[83] and had a total of 8.5 million viewers during its premiere.[84] For the film, Gomez and Lovato recorded the song "One and the Same", which was later released as a promotional single.[85] She later provided the voice of Princess Selenia in the animated film Arthur and the Revenge of Maltazard.[86] On August 28, 2009, Gomez starred in Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie, a television film based on the series.[87] The film premiered to an audience of 11.4 million viewers becoming cable's No. 1 scripted telecast of 2009 and Disney Channel's second most-viewed film premiere after High School Musical 2.[88] The film won the series its second consecutive Emmy for "Outstanding Children's Program" at the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards.[89]In 2009, Gomez signed on to star as one of the two female leads in Ramona and Beezus, a film adaption of the children's novel series by Beverly Cleary.[107][108] Gomez stated that she felt no pressure in taking more adult roles, saying "I think I'm fully aware of my audience and I'm still just a kid myself. I wouldn't do a role I don't feel comfortable doing or that my audience wouldn't feel comfortable seeing."[109] The film premiered on July 23, 2010 and was met with generally positive reviews.[110] Gomez's band released their second studio album that same year, becoming their second album to be certified by the RIAA.[93][111] It debuted on the US Billboard 200 at number 4 with sales of a little over 66,000.[112] The album received a mixed to positive reviews where some noticed that Gomez's vocals contain the Auto-Tune effect.[113] The record's two singles both receiving moderate success.[114][115]
After having previously announced plans to launch a fashion line, Gomez launched "Dream out Loud by Selena Gomez" in 2010.[113][116] The collection consisted of and featured bohemian dresses, floral tops, jeans, skirts, jackets, scarves and hats, all made from recycled or eco-friendly materials.[117][118] Gomez said that the line reflected her own personal style and described the clothing as being "pretty, feminine, and bohemian". She was later quoted as saying, "With my line, I really want to give the customer options on how they can put their own looks together [...] I want the pieces that can be easy to dress up or down, and the fabrics being eco-friendly and organic is super important [...] Also, the tags will all have some of my inspirational quotes on them. I'm just looking to send a good message."[113][118] Gomez teamed up with designers Tony Melillo and Sandra Campos, both who have worked with big-name fashion houses.[116] Gomez said of the partnering, "When I met Tony and Sandra, I was instantly comfortable with them and now they are just like family to me ... They are so creative and I love how I can just call them up whenever and talk to them about everything, even if it's just about changing a button ... They've been so cool about everything."[113][116][117][118] The brand was manufactured by, Melillo and Campos teamed with New York-based Adjmi Apparel and formed by Adjmi CH Brands LLC, the holding company for the brand.[119]
Gomez appeared in the film Monte Carlo that same year, starring as a girl who's "mistaken for a socialite while on a trip to Paris."[120] To prepare for the role, Gomez learned how to play polo and also took two weeks of vocal training to learn two different British accents.[121][122] Gomez appeared in a cameo role for the film The Muppets,[123] and appeared in the Disney series' So Random! and PrankStars.[124] Selena Gomez & the Scene released their third and final studio album that same year which received mixed reviews,[125] with the album's second single receiving a 4x Platinum certification from the RIAA.,[93] however the album's lead single and last single both receiving moderate success.[126][127] It was announced on July 14, 2011, that Gomez had signed a license agreement with Adrenalina, an extreme sports and adventure-themed lifestyle brand, to develop, manufacture, and distribute the actress' fragrance. Chairman and C.E.O. of Adrenalina, Ilia Lekach, said, "We are incredibly enthused to be working with Ms. Gomez and will reveal more details pertaining to the fragrance as we get closer to the launch date."[128] Gomez later released the self-titled perfume.[129]
2012–14: Stars Dance, For You and film projects
Despite her earlier statements that she would be focusing on her acting career, Gomez confirmed that she was working on her debut solo studio album.[140][141][142] The album's lead single, "Come & Get It", went on to become Gomez's biggest hit to date.[143][dead link][144] It became her first top ten hit in the United States, and her most successful song on pop radio.[145][146] Her debut album, Stars Dance, was released on July 23, 2013.[147] It became her first album to top the Billboard 200, and gave Gomez the highest first week sales of her career.[148] The album decline on the chart the following week.[149][150][151][dead link][152] As of September 2014, the album has sold an estimated 400,000 copies in the United States, making it her lowest selling studio album to date in the country.[153] It is her only studio effort to not receive a certification from the RIAA yet.[154] The record was met with mixed reviews where some music critics noticed her inability to create her own musical identity and her vocal abilities on the album "doesn't help".[155][156][157] The album's second single, "Slow Down", failed to match the success of its predecessor.[100] Gomez embarked on her Stars Dance Tour throughout 2013.[158][159] Gomez filmed a cameo appearance in the film Aftershock, and had a role in the film Getaway who was panned by film critics and was considered to be one of the worst films of 2013 and received a negative commercial reception.[160][161] [162] Selena was nominated for "Worst Actress" for her performance.[163] She also starred in the Disney channel special The Wizards Return: Alex vs. Alex that year.[164] Gomez initially stated she hoped to take a second musical hiatus following the tour,[165] though she later opted to focus on both music and acting.[166]
Gomez canceled the Australian and Asian leg of her Stars Dance Tour in December 2013, stating that she would be taking a hiatus to spend time with her family.[167] The following month, 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.[168][169][170] Her representative stated that she had spent time there "voluntarily [...] but not for substance abuse."[171][172] It was later speculated that her on-again-off-again relationship with Bieber had led to her stint in rehab.[173][174][175][176][177][unreliable source?] In April of that year, it was confirmed that Gomez had fired her mother and stepfather as her managers; the two had managed Gomez since her career began. The decision was purely professional.[178] It was also confirmed that the decision had nothing to do with Gomez's mother's disapproval of her relationship with Bieber.[179][180] Gomez later signed with the WME and Brillstein companies to manage her career.[181][182] The news of Gomez's new management also fueled rumors that her recording contract with Hollywood Records was ending, and that Gomez was searching for a new label.[183][184]
Gomez starred in the film adaption of the Ric Browde novel While I'm Dead... Feed the Dog opposite Dylan McDermott and Nat Wolff.[185] Titled Behaving Badly, the film received a negative critical and commercial reception.[186][187][188][189] She later appeared in the film Rudderless, the directorial debut of William H. Macy.[190][191] Gomez recorded a song for the soundtrack of the film, and received praise from the film's director.[192] The independent film received a mixed reception from critics.[193][194]
On November 24, 2014, Gomez released a compilation album, For You,[195] to finalize her deal with Hollywood Records.[196] In December 2014, Gomez signed a recording contract with Interscope Records, ending her partnership with Hollywood Records, under which she had released three albums as part of band Selena Gomez & the Scene, one studio album and one best-of album.[197]
2015: Revival
As of 2015, Gomez has been working with Dreamlab and the LA-based producer Ruffian on her second solo album.[198][199] She provided vocals on Zedd's song "I Want You to Know", released on February 23, 2015.[200] Gomez released a single titled "Good for You", featuring rapper ASAP Rocky on June 22, 2015. Her second studio album, Revival, will be released on October 9, 2015:[201][dead link] it will feature "Good for You" and her new song "Same Old Love".[202] Aside from music, Gomez became the face of hair care brand Pantene.[203] She reprised the role of Mavis in Hotel Transylvania 2, which will come out in September.[204] She will also star in The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving alongside Paul Rudd.[205]Artistry
Musical style
Gomez is described as a dance-pop singer, mixing elements of pop and EDM into her music.[206][207][208][209] She is also noted to feature prominent influences of Eurodance[210][211] into her sound, being also described as Europop.[212] As her career has been progressing, she has been experimenting with a large number of music genres. While her debut album with The Scene experimented with electronic rock and pop rock,[213][214] her following records with the band opted for a more electropop[215][216][217] and dance-pop[218][dead link][219]-focused sound. While A Year Without Rain noted a Eurodance feel, When the Sun Goes Down went into a more electro-disco and teen pop influenced musical direction.[220][221] Her debut solo record Stars Dance was rooted in the EDM-pop[222][223] genre and Gomez herself described it as "baby dubstep"[224] featuring elements from multiple genres as electronic, disco, techno or dancehall.[225][226] Her songs "The Heart Wants What It Wants" and "Good For You" have been described as "minimalistic" and "grown-up",[227][228][229][230] transitioning her sound into adult pop.[231]Influences
Gomez names Bruno Mars as her main influence saying she is influenced in everything he does from "his style of music, his style in general, the way he performs, the way he carries himself."[232] Gomez also cites Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, Beyoncé, and Rihanna as influences. [233][234][235][236] Gomez's debut solo album Stars Dance (2013) was prominently influenced by Spears, singer-songwriter Taylor Swift and American electronic producer Skrillex.[237] Her sophomore album, Revival (2015), was mainly influenced by Aguilera, specifically her album Stripped (2003) and singer Janet Jackson. [238] [239]Philanthropy
She is the ambassador of DoSomething.org after being involved with the charity Island Dog, which helps dogs in Puerto Rico.[246] She got involved while filming Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie in Puerto Rico.[247][dead link] Gomez is also involved with the charity RAISE Hope For Congo, an initiative of the Enough Project, which helps raise awareness about conflict minerals and violence against Congolese women.[248] Gomez was named spokesperson for UNICEF's 2009 Trick-or-Treat campaign, for the second year in a row.[249] Gomez, who raised over $700,000 for the charity in 2008, stated that she hopes to be able to raise 1 million dollars in 2009.[244] Gomez participated in a celebrity auction[250] and hosted a live web cast series on Facebook in support of the Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF campaign.[251] From 2009 to 2012, Gomez was involved in Disney's Friends for Change, an organization which promotes "environmentally-friendly behavior", and appeared in its public service announcements.[252] Gomez, Demi Lovato, Miley Cyrus, and the Jonas Brothers recorded "Send It On", a charity single with all of its proceeds to the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund.[253][254][dead link] It debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 20.[253] Also in 2009, Gomez made a surprise visit to a Los Angeles elementary school as part of the "A Day Made Better" program that was sponsored by OfficeMax. During her visit, Gomez gave the school an award and $1,000 worth of school supplies, and talked to students about the importance of giving back to the community.[255][256][dead link] On January 22, 2010, Gomez participated in the Hope for Haiti Now Telethon with a number of other celebrities.[257][dead link]
Gomez returned as the UNICEF spokesperson for the 60th anniversary of Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF campaign in 2010.[258] In celebration of the 60th anniversary, Gomez and her band, The Scene, held a benefit concert donating all proceeds to the campaign.[259] In February 2011, Gomez traveled to Chile to witness and meet with the families of UNICEF's supported program, "Programa Puente" which helps families better understand and develops skills to deal effectively with early childhood education, development and other issues related to raising children. From her field trip experience, Gomez said "UNICEF is helping Chilean families get out of poverty, prevent violence within the home and promote education. To witness first hand these families' struggles, and also their hope and perseverance, was truly inspiring."[260] In March 2011, Gomez participated in the UNICEF Tap Project's "Celebrity Tap Pack" limited-edition, custom-made water bottles featuring tap water from the homes of each celebrity advocate, in order to raise funds and increase profile for the clean water and sanitation programs.[261] She is also featured in videos promoting the campaign.[262][263] In April 2012, Gomez was named ambassador to the Ryan Seacrest Foundation.[264][dead link] It was announced on July 30, 2012, that Gomez would partner with Case-Mate as part of its upcoming "Right Case, Right Occasion" marketing campaign.[265] She will be teaming up with Fergie and Common to create fashionable custom phone cases for a good cause.
Personal life
Gomez dated musician Nick Jonas in 2008.[266] She subsequently dated actor Taylor Lautner in early 2009.[267] Gomez had been in a on-again, off-again relationship with her ex-boyfriend, Justin Bieber, from 2011 to 2014.[268]Gomez is suffering from lupus.[269]
Filmography
Film | |||
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Year | Film | Role | Notes |
2003 | Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over | Waterpark Girl | |
2005 | Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire | Julie | Television film |
2008 | Another Cinderella Story | Mary Santiago | |
2008 | Horton Hears a Who! | Helga | Voice |
2009 | Arthur and the Revenge of Maltazard | Princess Selenia | Voice |
2009 | Princess Protection Program | Carter Mason | Television film |
2009 | Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie | Alex Russo | Television film |
2010 | Arthur 3: The War of the Two Worlds | Princess Selenia | Voice |
2010 | Ramona and Beezus | Beatrice "Beezus" Quimby | |
2011 | Monte Carlo | Grace Ann Bennett / Cordelia Winthrop Scott | |
2011 | The Muppets | Herself | |
2012 | Hotel Transylvania | Mavis | Voice |
2013 | Spring Breakers | Faith | |
2013 | Aftershock | VIP girl | |
2013 | Getaway | The Kid | |
2013 | Searching | Violet | Short film |
2014 | Behaving Badly | Nina Pennington | |
2014 | Rudderless | Kate Ann Lucas | |
2015 | Unity[270] | Narrator | Documentary |
2015 | Hotel Transylvania 2 | Mavis | Voice |
2015 | The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving[271] | Dot | Post-production |
2016 | In Dubious Battle[272] | Lisa | Post-production |
2016 | The Big Short | Filming | |
2016 | Neighbors 2 | Filming | |
TV shows and appearances | |||
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
2002–04 | Barney & Friends | Gianna | Main role (Season 7–8) |
2006 | The Suite Life of Zack & Cody | Gwen | "A Midsummer's Nightmare" (Season 2, Episode 22) |
2007–08 | Hannah Montana | Mikayla | "I Want You to Want Me... to Go to Florida" (Season 2, Episode 13) "That's What Friends Are For?" (Season 2, Episode 18) "(We're So Sorry) Uncle Earl" (Season 2, Episode 22) |
2007–12 | Wizards of Waverly Place | Alex Russo | Lead role |
2008 | Jonas Brothers: Living the Dream | Herself | "Hello Hollywood" (Season 1, Episode 7) |
2008 | Studio DC: Almost Live | Herself | "The Second Show" (Season 1, Episode 2) |
2009 | The Suite Life on Deck | Alex Russo | "Double-Crossed" (Season 1, Episode 21) |
2009 | Sonny with a Chance | Herself | "Battle of the Networks' Stars" (Season 1, Episode 13) |
2011 | PrankStars | Herself | "Something to Chew On" (Season 1, Episode 1) |
2013 | The Wizards Return: Alex vs. Alex | Alex Russo | Special; also executive producer |
2014-15 | We Day | Presenter/Host | Special (8th edition/9th edition) |
Web | |||
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
2013 | Austin Mahone Takeover | Herself | "Austin Mahone and Selena Gomez at the Billboard Music Awards" (Season 2, Episode 14) |
Discography
Main articles: Selena Gomez & the Scene discography and Selena Gomez discography
Gomez was the lead singer of the band, Selena Gomez & the Scene, releasing three studio albums and one remix album. She has released one studio album, one EP and one compilation album in her solo career.- Albums released as a member of Selena Gomez & the Scene
- Kiss & Tell (2009)
- A Year Without Rain (2010)
- When the Sun Goes Down (2011)
- Albums released as a solo artist
- Stars Dance (2013)
- Revival (2015)
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