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Selena Gomez American actress and singer

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Selena Gomez, in full Selena Marie Gomez, (born July 22, 1992, Grand Prairie, Texas, U.S.), American actress and singer who won legions of young fans as the winsome star of the Disney television series Wizards of Waverly Place (2007–12) and as a pop vocalist.

Early Life of Selena Gomez

Gomez, who was named after the popular Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla-Perez, was raised in suburban Dallas. Inspired by her mother, an amateur actress, Gomez tried out for a role on the PBS children’s television series Barney & Friends and, as a result, appeared regularly on the program in 2002–04. After making her big-screen debut in the family movie Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over (2003), she auditioned for the Disney Channel, which eventually led to a guest spot on the TV series The Suite Life of Zack and Cody. In 2007 Gomez was cast as Alex Russo, a mischievous tomboy with magical powers, on a new Disney sitcom, Wizards of Waverly Place. The show, for which she also sang the theme song, became an instant hit among the preteen set, and she earned favourable comparisons to the channel’s leading ingenue, Miley Cyrus .

While continuing to star in Wizards of Waverly Place, Gomez acted in various tween-oriented videos and TV movies and provided a voice for the animated feature Horton Hears a Who! (2008). She then landed lead roles in the theatrical film Ramona and Beezus (2010), which was based on a children’s novel by Beverly Cleary, and the romantic comedy Monte Carlo (2011). Gomez departed from her family-friendly image with a role as a college student seeking adventure in Florida in the lurid Spring Breakers (2012). She then portrayed the girlfriend of a college student who is killed in a shooting on campus in the drama Rudderless (2014) and a sorority sister in Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising (2016). Gomez also voiced a character in the animated Hotel Transylvania (2012) and its sequels (2015, 2018) as well as Dolittle (2020). In 2019 she appeared in Jim Jarmusch’s zombie movie The Dead Don’t Die and in Woody Allen’s A Rainy Day in New York. She returned to TV for Only Murders in the Building (2021– ), in which she costarred with Steve Martin and Martin Short as an unlikely crime-solving trio.

Selena Gomez Music Career

Gomez ventured into music as the front woman of Selena Gomez & the Scene, an electronic-influenced pop band that produced several dance hits. The group released the albums Kiss & Tell (2009), A Year Without Rain (2010), and When the Sun Goes Down (2011) before announcing its separation in 2012.

Gomez then forged a solo career with Stars Dance (2013), which featured the seductive single “Come & Get It.” Subsequent solo albums included Revival (2015) and Rare (2020), the latter of which yielded the hit ballad “Lose You to Love Me.” In 2023 she collaborated with Nigerian superstar Rema on the Remix of “Calm Down” song, which was a world success.

Selena Gomez Relationship

As Gomez transitioned into adulthood, her fame was undoubtedly magnified by a romantic relationship with pop singer Justin Bieber . She was also known for her philanthropic work, much of it accomplished through UNICEF, which in 2009 appointed her a goodwill ambassador. In 2015 Gomez revealed that she had been diagnosed with lupus. As a result of complications from the disease, she had a kidney transplant in 2017. During this time Gomez was also candid about her struggles with depression and anxiety, and in 2020 she revealed that she had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. In the documentary Selena Gomez: My Mind and Me (2022), she discussed her mental health and her struggles with fame.

Selena Gomez Net worth

According to sources online, Selena Gomez’s net worth stands at an estimated USD 95 million. Cosmopolitan mentions that it was as early as 2013 when her fortune touched the USD 10 million mark and she reached USD 18 million in 2015. In the next three years, her net worth was reported to be USD 60 million.

Selena Gomez Kidney Donor Throws Shade At Her In Video

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• Selena Marie Gomez
• 5′ 5″ (1.65 m)
• July 22 , 1992
• Grand Prairie, Texas, USA
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• Trivia (October 9, 2015) She confirmed that she was battling lupus for several years and underwent course of chemotherapy.
• Quotes Be yourself always, there's no one better!
• Trademarks Known for her contributions to pop and Latin music.
• Salaries Monte Carlo ( 2011 ) $2,500,000

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Selena Gomez: A Comprehensive Look at Her Biography and Music Career

Selena Gomez is a well-known actress, singer, and producer who has made a name for herself in the entertainment industry. She was born on July 22, 1992, in Grand Prairie, Texas, and began her career in show business at a young age. Gomez has since become a household name and has been recognized for her contributions to the music industry.

Table of Contents

Gomez’s music career began in 2008 when she formed the band Selena Gomez & the Scene. The band released their debut album, “Kiss & Tell,” the following year, which was a commercial success. Gomez continued to release music with the band until 2012 when they announced their separation. She then embarked on a solo career, releasing her first solo album, “Stars Dance,” in 2013. Since then, she has released several more albums, including “Revival” and “Rare.”

In addition to her music career, Gomez has also acted in numerous films and television shows. She is best known for her role as Alex Russo on the Disney Channel series “Wizards of Waverly Place.” Gomez has also appeared in films such as “Spring Breakers” and “The Dead Don’t Die.” Despite her success in the entertainment industry, Gomez has faced personal struggles, including her battle with lupus and mental health issues.

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Selena Gomez was born on July 22, 1992, in Grand Prairie, Texas, to Ricardo Joel Gomez and Mandy Teefey. She was named after the late Tejano singer, Selena Quintanilla. Her parents divorced when she was five years old, and she was raised by her mother.

Gomez showed an interest in acting from a young age and started auditioning for roles when she was just nine years old. She landed her first role in the children’s TV series, “Barney & Friends,” where she played the character of Gianna. She continued to work on the show until she was thirteen years old.

In addition to her acting career, Gomez also had a passion for music. She started singing at a young age and was discovered by Disney when she was just twelve years old. She signed a record deal with Hollywood Records and released her debut album, “Kiss & Tell,” in 2009. The album was a commercial success, peaking at number nine on the Billboard 200 chart.

Throughout her childhood, Gomez struggled with health issues, including a diagnosis of lupus in 2015. She has been open about her struggles with anxiety and depression, and she has become an advocate for mental health awareness.

Rise to Fame

Selena Gomez, born on July 22, 1992, in Grand Prairie, Texas, rose to fame as a young actress and musician. She began her career as a child actress, appearing in various television shows and movies. However, it was her role as Alex Russo in the Disney Channel series “Wizards of Waverly Place” that brought her widespread recognition and critical acclaim.

Acting Career

Gomez’s acting career began in 2002 when she appeared in the children’s television series “Barney & Friends.” She then went on to appear in various television shows and movies, including “Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over” and “Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire.”

It was Gomez’s role as Alex Russo in the Disney Channel series “Wizards of Waverly Place” that propelled her to stardom. The show premiered in 2007 and ran for four seasons, with Gomez receiving critical acclaim for her performance. She won numerous awards for her role, including a Kids’ Choice Award and an ALMA Award.

Music Career

In addition to her acting career, Gomez has also established herself as a successful musician. She began her music career in 2008 with the release of her debut album, “Kiss & Tell.” The album debuted at number nine on the Billboard 200 and was certified Gold by the RIAA.

Gomez’s second album, “A Year Without Rain,” was released in 2010 and debuted at number four on the Billboard 200. Her third album, “When the Sun Goes Down,” was released in 2011 and debuted at number four on the Billboard 200.

Gomez has also collaborated with various artists, including Zedd, Charlie Puth, and Kygo. Her collaboration with Zedd, “I Want You to Know,” reached number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Overall, Gomez’s rise to fame as both an actress and musician has been impressive. She has won numerous awards for her work and has established herself as one of the most popular and successful young entertainers in the industry.

Selena Gomez has released a total of four studio albums in her music career. Her first album, “Stars Dance,” was released in 2013 and debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart. The album included hit singles such as “Come & Get It” and “Slow Down.”

Her second album, “Revival,” was released in 2015 and debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart as well. The album featured hit singles such as “Good for You” and “Same Old Love.”

In 2020, Selena Gomez released her third studio album, “Rare,” which also debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart. The album featured hit singles such as “Lose You to Love Me” and “Look at Her Now.”

Her most recent album, “Revelación,” was released in 2021 and is her first Spanish-language EP. The EP features collaborations with artists such as Rauw Alejandro and Myke Towers.

Overall, Selena Gomez’s music career has been successful with multiple chart-topping albums and hit singles.

Filmography

Selena Gomez has acted in several films throughout her career. Here are some of her notable movie roles:

• Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over (2003) – Gomez made her film debut as a child actress in this movie, playing the character of Waterpark Girl.
• Another Cinderella Story (2008) – In this romantic comedy film, Gomez played the lead role of Mary Santiago, a teenage girl who dreams of becoming a dancer.
• Ramona and Beezus (2010) – This family comedy-drama film is based on the children’s novel series by Beverly Cleary. Gomez played the role of Beezus Quimby, the older sister of the titular character.
• Monte Carlo (2011) – In this romantic comedy film, Gomez played the role of Grace Bennett, a young woman who goes on a trip to Paris with her friends, but ends up mistaken for a wealthy socialite.
• Spring Breakers (2012) – This crime film follows a group of college girls who become involved with a drug dealer while on spring break. Gomez played the role of Faith, one of the girls.
• The Fundamentals of Caring (2016) – In this comedy-drama film, Gomez played the role of Dot, a hitchhiker who joins the main character on a road trip to see various roadside attractions.
• A Rainy Day in New York (2019) – This romantic comedy film is directed by Woody Allen. Gomez played the role of Chan Tyrell, a college student who gets caught up in a love triangle.

In addition to her film roles, Gomez has also made several appearances on television shows, including “Barney & Friends,” “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody,” and “Wizards of Waverly Place.”

Awards and Achievements

Selena Gomez has received numerous awards and nominations throughout her career in both acting and music. She has won a total of 93 awards and has been nominated for 246.

In 2011, Gomez won an ALMA Award for Favorite TV Actress – Leading Role in a Comedy for her role in “Wizards of Waverly Place.” She also won a People’s Choice Award for Favorite TV Actress in 2014 and 2015.

In music, Gomez has won several awards for her albums and singles. Her album “Revival” won the American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Album in 2016. She also won a Billboard Women in Music Award for Chart-Topper in 2015.

Gomez has also been recognized for her philanthropic work. In 2014, she was awarded the Ischia Kids Global Icon Award for her work with UNICEF. She has also been honored by the Ryan Seacrest Foundation and the Alliance for Children’s Rights.

Overall, Selena Gomez’s talent and hard work have earned her a multitude of awards and recognition throughout her career in both acting and music.

Philanthropy

Selena Gomez is not only known for her successful music career but also for her philanthropic efforts. She has been involved in several charitable organizations and has used her platform to raise awareness and funds for various causes.

One of the organizations she is associated with is UNICEF. In 2009, Gomez was appointed as a UNICEF ambassador, and she has since been actively involved in several campaigns and initiatives to help children in need. She has traveled to various countries, including Ghana and Chile, to witness firsthand the challenges faced by children and to raise awareness about the importance of education, health, and sanitation.

In 2017, Gomez also became involved in the Time’s Up movement, which aims to combat sexual harassment and inequality in the workplace. She donated a significant amount of money to the cause and has been vocal about the need for change in the entertainment industry.

Apart from these organizations, Gomez has also supported various other causes, including cancer research, mental health awareness, and LGBTQ+ rights. She has used her social media platforms to raise awareness and funds for these causes, and has also participated in several benefit concerts and events.

Overall, Selena Gomez’s philanthropic efforts have made a significant impact on various causes, and she continues to use her platform to make a positive difference in the world.

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Selena Gomez - Biography

The disney channel actress turned global superstar was born july 22, 1992.

Selena Gomez was born in Grand Prairie, Texas on 22 July 1992 to actress Amanda 'Mandy' Dawn Teefey and Ricardo Joel Gomez. Now, the actress and singer known for her childhood fame on Disney channel, more successes such as Only Murders in the Building , and her on-again-off-again former relationship with Justin Bieber , is a certified Hollywood legend. 

When Selena was just five years old, her parents divorced and the youngster – who was named after Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla – was raised by her young single mom from then on. Selena's interest in acting was sparked by her mom Mandy, who alongside her parenting duties used to take part in theatre productions. 

At age seven, the young star's own acting career began with a role on children's show Barney & Friends . Bitten by the acting bug, Selena had some minor roles, including a part in Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over , before she was discovered by the Disney Channel in a nationwide scout in 2004. She appeared on The Suite Life of Zack & Cody , and also Hannah Montana , before landing her own show, Wizards of Waverly Place , in 2007. 

Music career

Selena's Disney show success led many to compare Selena to the channel's reigning princess Miley Cyrus , and like Miley, Selena also showed an interest in music. Just prior to the actress' 16th birthday, Selena signed a recording deal with Disney-owned label Hollywood Records. In 2009, she formed teen pop band: Selena Gomez & the Scene; and in September they released their debut album, Kiss & Tell . 

In 2014, Selena released her first solo album, For You . Her second studio album, Revival , would go on to debut at number one on the US Billboard 200 in 2015. Selena's third album Rare did the same when released in January 2020.

Acting career

In July 2010, Selena's first theatrical film, Ramona & Beezus , was released and she started work on Nicole Kidman -produced movie Monte Carlo , alongside Leighton Meester. That same year she also confirmed that the fourth season of Wizards would be its last. Since then, Selena's film resume has grown to include hit animation franchise Hotel Transylvania , Spring Breakers alongside James Franco and Getaway with Ethan Hawke and Jon Voight.

In August 2021, the first season of Hulu's mystery comedy series Only Murders in the Building (in which Selena starred alongside Steve Martin and Martin Short) premiered and was an instant hit. Alongside her success on TV, film, and music, Selena is also pursuing a culinary career as the host of two Food Network shows.

Personal life

As well as her blossoming and multi-faceted career, Selena is a keen philanthropist. At 17, she became the youngest ever UNICEF ambassador and has travelled with them around the world to help highlight the plights facing children. Her caring nature is just one of the reasons Selena remains one of Hollywood's most popular stars among her peers, such as her good friend Taylor Swift .

In 2008, Selena dated musician Nick Jonas and the following year was linked to Twilight star Taylor Lautner . But her most famous relationship to date was her turbulent one with Justin Bieber. In 2023, rumors of a feud between Selena and Justin's wife Hailey went viral, although both have since spoken out about wanting to move past this toxic narrative and have since shown support for one another again via social media.

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Episode 1: Introduction Introduce the podcast and its purpose.Give a brief overview of Selena Gomez's life and career.Discuss the different topics that will be covered in the podcast.Episode 2: Early Life Discuss Selena Gomez's childhood and upbringing.Talk about her parents and siblings.Explore her early interest in acting and music.Episode 3: Disney Channel Stardom Discuss Selena Gomez's rise to fame as a Disney Channel star.Talk about her roles in Wizards of Waverly Place, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, and Princess Protection Program.Explore her music career with the band Selena Gomez & the Scene.Episode 4: Adulthood and Career Success Discuss Selena Gomez's transition to adulthood and her continued success in acting and music.Talk about her roles in Spring Breakers, Hotel Transylvania, and Only Murders in the Building.Explore her solo music career and her collaborations with other artists.Episode 5: Personal Life and Challenges Discuss Selena Gomez's personal life, including her relationships, her struggles with mental health, and her kidney transplant.Explore the challenges she has faced in her career, such as her public breakup with Justin Bieber and her battle with lupus.Episode 6: Philanthropy and Activism Discuss Selena Gomez's work as a philanthropist and activist.Talk about her foundation, the Selena Gomez Fund, and her work with UNICEF.Explore her advocacy for mental health awareness and her support for the LGBTQ+ community.Episode 7: Legacy Discuss Selena Gomez's legacy as an actress, singer, and philanthropist.Talk about her impact on pop culture and her influence on young people.Explore her future plans and her hopes for the future.Episode 8: Behind the Scenes Interview people who know Selena Gomez, such as her friends, family, and co-workers.Get their insights into her personality, her career, and her life.Reveal some of the secrets and surprises from her life.Episode 9: The Future of Selena Gomez Discuss Selena Gomez's plans for the future.Talk about her upcoming projects and her hopes for the future.Reflect on her journey and her legacy.

Selena Gomez - Audio Biography Biography

• Society & Culture
• 5.0 • 4 Ratings
• SEP 21, 2023

Selena Gomez - Early Years

Welcome to the Selena Gomez Audio Biography. I'll be your guide through this episode, where we'll be exploring Selena Gomez's early life. She was born in Grand Prairie, Texas, on July 22, 1992. Her parents, Ricardo and Mandy, divorced when She was five years old, and She was raised by her mom. They didn't have a lot of money, but they were always close. Selena's parents were both supportive of her creative interests. Her mom loved to sing, and her dad was a musician. Selena started taking singing and dancing lessons when she was a young child, and she also appeared in several pageants. Selena has a younger sister named Gracie, and she is also close to her grandparents. She has spoken about how her family has always been her biggest supporters. Selena made her acting debut at the age of ten on the children's television show Barney & Friends. She played the role of Gianna for two years. After Barney & Friends, Selena guest-starred on several other television shows, including The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire. In 2007, she landed her breakout role as Alex Russo on the Disney Channel series Wizards of Waverly Place. In addition to her acting career, Selena also began to pursue a career in music. In 2009, she formed the band Selena Gomez & the Scene. The band released three studio albums, all of which were commercially successful. Selena Gomez has come a long way since her early days on Barney & Friends. She is now one of the most successful entertainers in the world. She is an inspiration to many young people, and she is a role model for women everywhere.minder to subscribe and like or comment: Please remember to subscribe to the Selena Gomez Audio Biography podcast and like or comment on this episode. You can also check out the other Audio Biographies by searching for "Audio Biography" in your podcast platform.Thank you for listening!

• SEP 7, 2023

Introduction to the Selena Gomez Audio Biography

Hi everyone, and welcome to the Selena Gomez Audio Biography. I'm your host, and I'm excited to take you on a journey through the life and career of one of the most popular and successful entertainers of our time. In this podcast, we'll be covering everything from Selena's early days as a Disney Channel star to her recent successes in music and television. We'll also explore her personal life, her struggles, and her triumphs. In our first episode, we'll be giving you an overview of Selena's life and career. We'll talk about her childhood, her family, and her early interest in acting and music. We'll also discuss her rise to fame as a Disney Channel star and her transition to adulthood. So if you're a fan of Selena Gomez, or if you're just curious about her life and career, then be sure to subscribe to the Selena Gomez Audio Biography. We'll be releasing new episodes every week, so you won't want to miss a thing. we'll be taking a deep dive into Selena's early life. We'll talk about her parents, her siblings, and her childhood in Texas. We'll also discuss her early interest in acting and music, and how she got her start as a Disney Channel star. So if you're interested in learning more about Selena's childhood and early career, be sure to tune in to our first episode. Thanks for listening to the Selena Gomez Audio Biography. I hope you enjoyed this introduction episode. If you did, be sure to subscribe so you don't miss any of our upcoming episodes. We'll be releasing new episodes every week, so be sure to stay tuned for more on Selena Gomez. Thanks again for listening, and I'll see you next time.

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Selena Gomez - Audio Biography

Episode 1: Introduction Introduce the podcast and its purpose. Give a brief overview of Selena Gomez's life and career. Discuss the different topics that will be covered in the podcast.Episode 2: Early Life Discuss Selena Gomez's childhood and upbringing. Talk about her parents and siblings. Explore her early interest in acting and music.Episode 3: Disney Channel Stardom Discuss Selena Gomez's rise to fame as a Disney Channel star. Talk about her roles in Wizards of Waverly Place, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, and Princess Protection Program. Explore her music career with the band Selena Gomez & the Scene.Episode 4: Adulthood and Career Success Discuss Selena Gomez's transition to adulthood and her continued success in acting and music. Talk about her roles in Spring Breakers, Hotel Transylvania, and Only Murders in the Building. Explore her solo music career and her collaborations with other artists.Episode 5: Personal Life and Challenges Discuss Selena Gomez's personal life, including her relationships, her struggles with mental health, and her kidney transplant. Explore the challenges she has faced in her career, such as her public breakup with Justin Bieber and her battle with lupus.Episode 6: Philanthropy and Activism Discuss Selena Gomez's work as a philanthropist and activist. Talk about her foundation, the Selena Gomez Fund, and her work with UNICEF. Explore her advocacy for mental health awareness and her support for the LGBTQ+ community.Episode 7: Legacy Discuss Selena Gomez's legacy as an actress, singer, and philanthropist. Talk about her impact on pop culture and her influence on young people. Explore her future plans and her hopes for the future.Episode 8: Behind the Scenes Interview people who know Selena Gomez, such as her friends, family, and co-workers. Get their insights into her personality, her career, and her life. Reveal some of the secrets and surprises from her life.Episode 9: The Future of Selena Gomez Discuss Selena Gomez's plans for the future. Talk about her upcoming projects and her hopes for the future. Reflect on her journey and her legacy.

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Inside Selena Gomez’s Life at 31: ‘She Has Done Her Best to Eliminate Any Toxicity’

“Selena is doing great,” the source said. “She’s feeling very level-headed and grounded. She has done her best to eliminate any toxicity that previously existed in her life. [She] keeps her circle close and feels loved and supported.”

“She’s prioritizing her mental health, long-time friends, and using her platform to set a positive example,” the source continued. “She has also been spending a lot of time with her family, which is so important to her.”

Gomez gave her last big interview in early June to The Wrap . She was asked about how she maintains balance in her life. She responded that she doesn’t, really.

“I don’t think balance is consistent for me because of my lifestyle,” she said. “The older I’ve gotten, the more I’ve understood that this is my job and this is what I want to do with my life, so I want to enjoy it. And I make time for the things that are important. This is the perfect example. I just wrapped my show and I’m spending one week with my family and then I’m going off to Paris and then I’ll return to them but I’ll be working on my album at the same time. I just have to do it all. Right now, that’s just how I function.

“Maybe when I get older, I’ll be different, but who I am—my work ethic, my life—is this: the hustle. And I get bored. I just want to do so many cool things with so many awesome people.”

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Introduction.

Selena Gomez is a multifaceted artist who has made a name for herself in the entertainment industry. She started off as a child actor appearing in multiple Emmy-winning television series, and now, she is an internationally acclaimed singer, songwriter, and actress.

Selena’s music style ranges from dance-pop to Latin, and she has sold millions of albums worldwide. On top of being an accomplished recording artist and successful actor in movies like Spring Breakers , she also serves as an executive producer for television projects like Waverly Place and 13 Reasons Why.

Selena Gomez was born in Grand Prairie, Texas, on July 22nd, 1992. Growing up in Texas, Selena developed a passion for music at a young age. Her mother Mandy Teefey introduced her to the world of theater later on, leading her to pursue a career as an entertainer. 

At age 10, she auditioned for and booked the children’s show Barney & Friends , which aired from 2002 – 2004. From here, she went on to star in subsequent Disney projects, which launched her into stardom at the age of 15.

Selena Gomez has established herself as a successful multi-hyphenate artist and media mogul, and her hard work has paid off with an impressive net worth. According to Celebrity Net Worth, her estimated wealth is currently valued at over $95 million! This amount comes from various sources, including endorsement deals and the success of her own fashion brand. 

Many of us can only hope to one day aspire to have a net worth as incredible as hers! Fans have watched Selena’s rise to success ever since she made her name in Disney Channel shows back in the early 2000s, and it is clear that Gomez has come a long way since then.

In addition to her music and acting career, Selena Gomez is also a UNICEF ambassador . She has been working with the organization since 2009 and has travelled to various countries to raise awareness about children’s issues and advocate for their rights. 

Gomez has also used her platform to promote education, healthcare, and other important causes and has donated a portion of her earnings to support various charitable organizations. Her work with UNICEF has earned her several awards and recognition for her humanitarian efforts.

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Selena Quintanilla

Known as the “Queen of Tejano Music,” Selena Quintanilla was a beloved Latin singer who was killed by the president of her fan club at age 23.

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Quick Facts

Early life and family, selena y los dinos albums, solo career: albums, songs, and grammy, latin music icon: spokesperson, boutique owner, and actor, death: murder details and killer, movie and netflix series, who was selena quintanilla.

Selena Quintanilla made her recording debut in the 1980s and became a best-selling artist in the Latin music scene with albums like Amor Prohibido and Live! The latter earned her the Grammy for Best Mexican-American Album in 1994, making her the first female Tejano artist to win the award. Tragically, just shy of her 24 th birthday, Selena was murdered by her fan club’s president and business associate in March 1995. Her album Dreaming of You was released later that year and topped the Billboard 200 chart—the first predominantly Spanish-language album to do so. Jennifer Lopez portrayed the late singer in a 1997 biopic.

🎵 Listen to her greatest hits or 🎥 watch Selena on Amazon.

FULL NAME: Selena Quintanilla Pérez BORN: April 16, 1971 DIED: March 31, 1995 BIRTHPLACE: Lake Jackson, Texas SPOUSE: Chris Pérez (1992-1995) ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Aries

Selena Quintanilla, often known simply by her stage name Selena, was born on April 16, 1971, in Lake Jackson, Texas. Selena’s father, Abraham Quintanilla Jr., was a former musician. Her mother, Marcella Ofelia Samora, was a homemaker. The couple had two older children and eventually opened a restaurant.

Selena grew up speaking English, but her father taught her to sing in Spanish so she could resonate with the Latino community. She learned the lyrics phonetically at first and, eventually, learned to speak Spanish fluently. She began performing as a child.

Around the age of 10, Selena became the lead singer in her family’s band, Selena Y Los Dinos. The musical group started out playing weddings and clubs in their native Texas. Abraham managed and produced his family’s group, which also featured Selena’s brother, Abraham III (known professionally as “A.B.” Quintanilla III), on bass guitar and her sister, Suzette, on the drums. Their Tejano music style incorporated Mexican music, country , and western.

The Quintanilla family, with Selena as the lead singer, recorded seven albums together as Selena Y Los Dinos. Most were recorded under indie labels. Alpha and And the Winner Is… were produced by Manny Guerra of G.P. Productions, which specialized in Tejano music. Dulce Amor , with original songs written by her brother, brought Selena to the attention of the Latin music world.

The seven albums are:

• Mis Primeras Grabaciones (1984)
• The New Girl In Town (1985)
• Alpha (1986)
• Muñequito de Trapo (1986)
• And the Winner Is... (1987)
• Preciosa (1988)
• Dulce Amor (1988)

Music executive José Behar, who had just opened the Latin division of EMI Records, watched Selena perform at the 1989 Tejano Music Awards. Soon after the concert, he signed Selena as a solo artist to the EMI label. She released her self-titled album that year.

Her brother, A.B., who later founded the Kumbia Kings and Kumbia All Starz, wrote many of her songs and was also her producer. Between 1989 and 1995, Selena released five studio albums and one live album. In 2022, her family backed a new album featuring old recordings that were never released. With more than 65 million albums sold, the “Queen of Tejano” remains one of the best-selling female Latin artists.

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Selena was 18 when her self-titled solo debut album released on October 17, 1989.

Ven Conmigo

Selena’s 1990 album was the first Tejano record to achieve gold record status, meaning it sold more than 500,000 copies. Today, it’s a multiplatinum album.

Entre A Mi Mundo

This 1992 album features the popular songs “Como La Flor” and “La Carcacha.” Following Selena’s death, it saw heightened success, becoming a 10-time multiplatinum album in 2017.

Selena became the first female Tejano artist to take home a Grammy for Best Mexican-American Album. Her 1993 album, Live! , hit No. 2 on the Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart.

Amor Prohibido

Selena played numerous tour dates in New York, California, Puerto Rico, and Argentina in 1994. Amor Prohibido was released that same year and went gold.

Dreaming of You

Soon after the release of Live! , Selena went to work on her first partially English-language album that she hoped would put her on the top of the U.S. pop music charts. Unfortunately, she didn’t live to see its success.

Dreaming of You was released July 18, 1995, almost four months after Selena’s death and became a huge hit. The album hit No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 the week of August 5, 1995. That made it the first predominantly Spanish-language album to top the chart.

Moonchild Mixes

In August 2022, nearly 25 years after her death, a new Selena album titled Moonchild Mixes was released by Warner Music Latina, featuring 13 new recordings by the Grammy Award–winning singer. The album is a family affair, with arrangements by Selena’s brother A.B. and artwork by her sister Suzette. Digital technology was used to age the singer’s voice from the original tracks, giving Selena a more mature sound than when she originally recorded them in her 20s.

Popular compilation albums of Selena’s music include 12 Super Exitos (1994) and All My Hits Todos Mis Exitos (1999).

Popular Songs

Selena saw seven songs hit No. 1 on Billboard ’s Hot Latin Songs chart, with 14 more songs ranking in the top 10. “Tu Solo Tu” topped the chart for 10 weeks, and “Amor Prohibido” earned No. 1 for nine weeks. “No Me Queda Mas,” “Fotos Y Recuerdos (Back On The Chain Gang),” and “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom” were among Selena’s other hits that led the Hot Latin Songs chart.

Arguably Selena’s most successful song, “Dreaming of You” peaked at No. 22 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Other popular songs by Selena include “Como La Flor,” “Baila Esta Cumbia,” “La Carcacha,” “El Chico del Apartamento 512,” “I Could Fall In Love,” and “Siempre Hace Frio.”

Grammy and Other Awards

At the 1987 Tejano Music Awards, Selena won Best Female Vocalist of the Year and Performer of the Year. She was sometimes referred to as the “Mexican Madonna ” for her sexy outfits and dance moves. Eventually, her talents were recognized by more than just Tejano music fans.

In 1993, Selena won a Grammy for Best Mexican-American Album for her album Live! She was posthumously awarded the Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2021 Grammy Awards.

Because of her broad appeal to Latin audiences, Coca-Cola chose Selena as a spokesperson in 1989. Her appearance in ads for Coke was a marketing industry first: an advertiser targeting a specific demographic.

Expanding her personal brand beyond her music career, in 1994, Selena opened two boutiques called Selena Etc., where she sold her signature line of clothing and jewelry. The stores were located in San Antonio and Corpus Christi, Texas.

She also had a brief career as an actor, appearing as a mariachi singer in the 1995 movie Don Juan DeMarco , also starring Johnny Depp .

Selena married Chris Pérez on April 2, 1992. The couple met and began secretly dating in 1990 when Pérez joined Selena’s band as the lead guitarist. They were married for nearly three years before Selena was killed in 1995.

Pérez wrote a book about his time with Selena, To Selena, With Love , published in 2012. He planned to make the book into a TV series. Then, in 2016, Abraham brought a lawsuit against Pérez for violating an estate agreement that Pérez signed shortly after the singer’s death that gave her father the exclusive rights to Selena’s name, voice, photographs, and story in perpetuity. Pérez lost his appeal in late 2018 , and both sides agreed to dismiss the lawsuit the following May.

Selena was shot and killed by Yolanda Saldívar in Corpus Christi, Texas, on March 31, 1995. She was 23 years old. Selena’s murder sent shockwaves through the Latino community, and her fans around the world mourned the singer’s passing.

After attending one of Selena’s concerts, Saldívar encouraged Abraham to create a fan club for his daughter. The former nurse, who became the club’s president, had also been managing Selena’s boutique in San Antonio. The two were meeting in a hotel room to discuss Selena’s concerns that Saldívar was embezzling money, according to court records, when Saldívar, 34, shot Selena. Saldívar surrendered to the police later that day.

During her October 1995 trial, Saldívar claimed the shot was accidental, but she was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. Currently, she is serving time in a maximum-security prison outside of Dallas. Saldívar is up for parole in 2025, which will be 30 years after Selena’s death.

Selena’s life story became the subject of the 1997 movie Selena , which stars Jennifer Lopez as the Tejano superstar and Edward James Olmos as her father. Lopez became the first Latina actor to take home $1 million for a movie role, and she was nominated for a Golden Globe for her performance. The movie was re-released in theaters in April 2022 to mark its 25 th anniversary.

Decades later, Netflix announced it was developing a scripted series about the singer’s life, with the Quintanilla family serving as executive producers. Selena: The Series , starring The Walking Dead ’s Christian Serratos, debuted in December 2020.

Selena’s music and persona has endured through the years, with honorary holidays, posthumous awards, a museum, and even a college course.

Two weeks after her death in 1995, then–Texas Governor George W. Bush declared the singer’s April 16 th birthday “Selena Day.”

The Selena Museum, opened in 1998 by the Quintanilla family in Corpus Christi, Texas, honors Selena’s life and legacy. A collection of the late performer’s personal items, such as her wardrobe, awards and memorabilia, a recreation of her recording studio, her red Porsche, and her tour bus are on display.

She was posthumously honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in November 2017. That year, reality star Kim Kardashian also dressed up as the Tejano singer as part of her homage to music legends for Halloween. In March 2020, Selena became the first Latina artist and the ninth person overall to be inducted into the Star Trail of Fame outside the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

The 25 th anniversary of Selena’s death in 2020 brought more remembrances and proved the popularity of her music hasn’t waned. Contemporary artists like Casey Musgraves and Camila Cabello covered Selena in concerts that year. Elsewhere, MAC Cosmetics released a limited-edition “MAC Cosmetics x Selena La Reina” collection in April, featuring a range of products, including Selena’s signature red lipstick, with shade names derived from her song lyrics. Their first Selena collection, in 2016, sold out within minutes.

Selena was known as much for her onstage style as her songs, and in 2022, the Smithsonian National Museum of American History added the black leather jacket and satin bustier she wore at the 1994 Tejano Music Awards to their “Entertainment Nation”/“Nación del espectáculo” exhibit.

• If you try to come off as this big-time star with an attitude, people don’t like that.
• Saying that you’re a star is like saying you’re a freak.
• I didn’t even start taking this seriously until I was older, when I was about 15, when I was actually winning the awards.
• When love hits you, it hits you, and you don’t expect it.
• I’m not one to say this is where I want to be in five years, because each day is different. You can plan a whole day, and nothing comes out the way you plan it.
• When I am singing, I believe that if I respect the public, then they will respect me, and I know it. It’s noticeable.
• Wearing the bras on stage shocked everybody, and that’s probably why I got branded for the bra.
• There’s a lot of men in this business. If you can’t speak for yourself, they are going to run you down every which way.
• When a child does bad things, the parents are always going to love their child even if they do something bad.
• Even though I was a girl and I lost some of my childhood, it was for a good cause.

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Kimberly Manning is a writer and communications professional with a passion for storytelling. Life artists and underdogs inspire her. Kim published her first piece, an essay on women’s empowerment, at age 9. An avid reader and fiber enthusiast, when not thinking of her next knitting project, you’ll likely find her hiking in the outdoors.

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‘Emilia Pérez’ Review: Leading Lady Karla Sofía Gascón Electrifies in Jacques Audiard’s Mexican Redemption Musical

Zoe Saldaña and Selena Gomez also star in the Palme d'Or winner's exhilarating Spanish-language (half-sung) portrait of a former cartel boss's life-changing transformation.

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SPOILER ALERT: The following review contains some spoilers.

Like a rose blooming amid a minefield, it’s a miracle that Jacques Audiard ’s “ Emilia Pérez ” exists: a south-of-the-border pop opera about a most unlikely metamorphosis and the personal redemption it awakens in a stone-cold criminal.

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The filmmaker got the idea from Le Monde editor Boris Razon’s novel “Écoute,” wherein the character’s mission is but one of countless questions raised about identity (in the book, Manitas wants to become his first love, who was murdered years before). But primarily-Spanish-language “Emilia Pérez” isn’t an adaptation so much as a totally different interpretation of that out-there idea: What if you took the poster boy for toxic masculinity and made them a woman — not à la Griselda Blanco (“Cocaine Godmother”), but in such a way that eclipsed the aggressive original persona?

Audiard starts by introducing Saldaña’s character, Rita, a defense attorney who helps scumbags go free, justifying her misgivings through song. Overstressed and undervalued, Rita accepts a potential client’s shady proposal, which means being driven out to who-knows-where with a hood over her head. Ultra-careful in order to evade potential assassination, Manitas swears Rita to secrecy before telling her why she’s been summoned: “I want to be a woman,” growls a man who looks like he wouldn’t hesitate to have her killed. And then Manitas opens his shirt and reveals his commitment to Rita (but not the camera).

At this point in the film, my sensitivity sensors were still wary. Early on, all references to Manitas are masculine, which is true even among the gender-reassignment doctors Rita flies around the world to interview. One can easily imagine such an assignment sparking a “Some Like It Hot”-style farce about the Witness Protection Program, and the film still feels like it could go either way (toward triumph or catastrophe) during the gonzo “La Vaginoplastia” number, which suggests “Myra Breckinridge” as Busby Berkeley might have staged it. “Changing the body changes society,” Rita sings to the surgeon in Tel Aviv (played by Mark Ivanir), who finally agrees to conduct the procedure, tipping off where the story is headed.

It’s not like Manitas can tell anyone what he’s doing, counting on Rita to stage his death and relocate his family to Switzerland. In fact, when the ex-capo reunites with Rita a few years later in London — now radiant, beardless and renamed Emilia — the lawyer tenses, afraid she’s come to erase the last trace of her past. Instead, Emilia asks Rita to bring her wife/widow Jessi (Gomez) and sons back to Mexico. According to press notes, Gascón (who plays Emilia) still lives with her daughter’s mom, and a similar dynamic emerges here, as Emilia presents herself as a long-lost aunt.

The scene that played best at Cannes finds Rita watching this reunion warily, as Emilia welcomes Jessi and the kids back into her life. Will they recognize her? “You smell like Papa,” one of their sons tells Emilia in a lovely reverse lullaby. “Emilia Pérez” would have been a very different movie if Manitas had found the courage to confide in the family. Not doing so sets the stakes for the rest of the film: Can Emilia continue to serve as their guardian? What happens if Jessi, who thinks she’s dead, should run off with new flame Gustavo (Édgar Ramírez)?

Such double standards add fascinating dimensions to the film’s second half, especially after Emilia decides to start La Lucecita, an NGO designed to help grieving family members find their “disappeared” relatives. In the process, Emilia also finds love. Apart from one scene where Rita worries that Emilia’s partner (Adriana Paz) may have figured things out, Audiard doesn’t distract himself with that old trope. Again, it would have been nice to see Emilia confide in others, but the film doesn’t treat fear of discovery as a point of suspense. Instead, Audiard wonders how much people really change when they transition. In Emilia’s case, less than she’d like, but enough to inspire positive change in society.

Reviewed at Cannes Film Festival (Competition), May 18, 2024. Running time: 132 MIN.

• Production: (France) A Why Not Prods., Page 114 production, in co-production with Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello, Pathé, France 2 Cinéma, in association with Library Pictures International, Logical Content Ventures, Les Films du Fleuve, The Veterans, Vixens, Casa Kafka Pictures, Pimienta Films, with the support of CNC, la Région Ile-de-France, with the participation of Ciné+, with the support of Canal+, France Télévisions. (World sales: Pathé, Paris.)
• Crew: Director, writer: Jacques Audiard, freely adapted from the novel “Écoute“ by Boris Razon. Screenplay: Camera: Paul Guilhaume. Editor: Juliette Welfling. Original music and songs: Clément Ducol, Camille. Music supervisor: Pierre Marie Dru. Choreographer: Damien Jalet.
• With: Zoe Saldaña, Karla Sofía Gascón, Selena Gomez, Adriana Paz, Édgar Ramírez, Mark Ivanir, Karla Sofía Gascón, Eduardo Aladro, Emiliano Edmundo, Hasan Jalil, Gaël Murgia-Fur, Tirso Pietriga, Jarib (Javier Zagoya), Montiel Magali Brito, Sébastien Fruit.

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Exotic dancer drama 'anora' wins cannes film festival's top prize.

"Anora," a darkly funny and touching drama about a young exotic dancer who becomes involved with a Russian oligarch's son, won the Cannes Film Festival's top prize, the Palme d'Or, on Saturday.