Selena Gomez's incredible career so far: From Disney to global superstar
We love Selena! 😍
Last updated 12th Dec 2024
Let's be honest, Selena Gomez needs little introduction! From bursting into the world of entertainment through Disney Channel, the actress quickly became a teen pop sensation, going on to become one of the most popular singers on the planet! A talented actress, singer and business mogul, the recently engaged megastar is a force to be reckoned with.
Starting out in the world of acting, Selena quickly showed us all that she is also an incredibly talented musician. After launching her own makeup company, we were left wondering... Is there anything the 32-year-old can't do? With a new album on the way, as well as Selena looking to focus on her acting (ahem... Did we hear Wizards of Waverly Place sequel?), what better time to take a look at her meteoric rise to fame and career timeline...
Selena Gomez's career timeline so far: How did she become famous?
2002-2004: Career beginnings on Barney & Friends
In 2002, Selena took her first step into the world of showbiz, after getting a taste for the world of entertainment from watching her mum prep for stage productions. Appearing on the popular children's TV series Barney & Friends, Selena played a character called Gianna, alongside her future BFF and Disney co-star Demi Lovato.
Selena was in a total of 13 episodes, running up to 2004. On her role on the show, the singer has since said: "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."
2006-2007: Selena's first roles on Disney
After her appearance on Barney & Friends, Selena took on minor roles in films such as Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over (2003) and Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire (2005).
It was then in 2006 that the actress stepped into the world of Disney Channel, guest starring in a series two episode of the popular series The Suite Life of Zack & Cody. Selena played the role of Gwen - a young girl who finds herself in a love triangle with the twins.
A year later, in 2007, Selena bagged a recurring role in another hit Disney Channel show - Hannah Montana. Appearing sporadically as Hannah's pop-star rival Mikayla, she even gave us a taste of her musical talent on the show, singing her track 'If Cupid Had a Heart'.
It has been reported that during this time, Selena filmed two pilot episodes for potential Disney Channel spin-off series - one being a Suite Life spin-off titled Arwin!, and the other a Lizzie McGuire spin-off titled What's Stevie Thinking?.
2007: Selena stars in Wizards of Waverly Place
Following her guest appearances on Disney Channel shows, it was in 2007 that Selena cemented her teen idol status when she bagged the role of Alex Russo, in Disney's Wizards of Waverly Place.
Selena's effortless talent when it came to Alex's whit, comic timing and sarcastic delivery were clear, with the show quickly becoming one of Disney Channel's most successful. Breaking through into the mainstream, at this time Selena also became one of the 10 highest-paid children's TV stars of all time.
The show, which followed a teenage girl (Alex) in a family of wizards who own a restaurant in New York City, ran for five years, releasing its fourth and final season in 2012.
2008: More films and soundtracks
While working on Wizards of Waverly Place, it's fair to say that Selena was busy! Alongside filming the second season, the actress voiced the character of Helga in the animated film Horton Hears a Who!, as well as bagging the lead role of Mary Santiago in the film Another Cinderella Story.
For her performance in Another Cinderella Story, Selena won the Young Artist Award, presented by the Young Artist Foundation. Not only that, but Selena even contributed three songs to the film's soundtrack - including her first ever entry on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Chart, 'Tell Me Something I Don't Know'.
2009: The Wizards bag an Emmy Award
The success surrounding Wizards of Waverly Place was undeniable - with Selena, along with her co-stars such as David Henrie, Jake T. Austin, Jennifer Stone, David DeLuise and Maria Canals-Barrera, bagging not one, but TWO Emmy Awards for their performances.
In 2009, the show was awarded an Emmy for Outstanding Children's Program, winning the gong once more in 2012.
2009: Selena Gomez & the Scene
After signing a record deal with Hollywood Records in 2008, at just 16-years-old, Selena assembled her own teen pop band, Selena Gomez & the Scene. From 2009-2011, the group released a total of three albums - their September 2009 debut 'Kiss & Tell', followed by September 2010's 'A Year Without Rain' and June 2011's 'When the Sun Goes Down'. All three albums are certified Gold in the U.S., whilst all are certified Silver in the UK.
All three albums entered the Top 20 in the UK, providing us with hits such as 'Naturally', 'Who Says', 'Love You Like A Love Song' and 'Tell Me Something I Don't Know'.
2009: Selena stars in Princess Protection Program with Demi Lovato
Upping her Disney status, Selena starred alongside her BFF, and former Barney co-star, Demi Lovato in the network's original movie Princess Protection Program. The film aired in June 2009, raking in over 8.5 million viewers during its premiere. Of course, Disney put the girls' musical talents to use as the pair recorded a song for the film's soundtrack - titled 'One and the Same'.
2009 also saw Selena's Wizards of Waverly Place character, Alex, make a guest appearance on Disney show The Suite Life on Deck - as well as appearing in Sonny With a Chance as herself, again alongside Demi Lovato.
And who can forget the iconic Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie?! A huge year for Selena on the big screen, 2009 also saw the release of the television film based on the popular series. Premiering to an audience of 11.4 million viewers, it quickly became the second-most watched TV movie on cable (behind none other than High School Musical 2), with The Washington Post crediting Selena, David and Jake for their acting skills. Of course, Selena again contributed to the soundtrack, with songs 'Disappear', 'Magical' and the hit 'Magic'.
2009: Selena's Kids' Choice Award streak begins
2009 also marked the beginning of Selena's five-year streak as the Kids' Choice Award for Favorite TV Actress. The singer/actress took the award home from 2009-2013, before Ariana Grande won the gong in 2014.
2010-2011: Selena turns her attention to music
By 2010, Selena & the Scene were rapidly growing in popularity, with high charting singles such as 'Naturally' and 'Round & Round'. This year also saw the group head on their first tour - 'Selena Gomez & the Scene: Live in Concert' - as well as them picking up two Teen Choice Awards, for Music Group and Music Breakout Artist.
2012: Spring Breakers, voice-overs and solo music
In 2012, Selena began to step into more mature roles on screen, starting with her role as Faith in Spring Breakers. The film had an all-star cast, including the likes of Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Benson, James Franco and Rachel Korine. After premiering in 2012, the film was released in 2013, with the status of 'Cult Classic' being floated.
Lending her vocal talents to the world of cinema, Selena also voiced the character of Mavis Dracula in the animated film Hotel Transylvania.
This was also the year Selena began to focus more on a solo music career, after announcing that Selena Gomez & the Scene were entering a hiatus. She also revealed that the band would not be releasing a new album that year, despite them picking up their third Teen Choice Award for Best Group.
2013: Debut solo album 'Stars Dance'
In July 2013, a year after the disbanding of her former band, Selena released her debut solo album, titled 'Stars Dance'. Serving as the lead single from her debut was the ever-popular 'Come & Get It', which she released three months before the complete album. The single became her first Top 10 entry on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, while also peaking at Number 8 in the UK. The video for 'Come & Get It' also won the Best Pop Video at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards.
The album, which provided us with Selena classics such as 'Slow Down' and 'Birthday', debuted at Number 1 in the U.S. Charts, hitting Number 14 here in the UK.
Selena took the album on tour in August 2013 - however, after travelling through North America and Europe, she cancelled the Australian and Asian legs of the tour which were scheduled for December of that year. The singer announced that she would be taking a hiatus in order to spend time with her family, later taking time away to rest.
Adding to her success in 2013, Selena also served as an executive producer on the Disney Channel special The Wizards Return: Alex vs. Alex, which she also starred in again as Alex Russo.
2014-2015: Compilation album, films and 'The Heart Wants What It Wants'
Despite taking some time away for her health, Selena released her first greatest hits album in November 2014, titled 'For You'. The album includes both solo material and that of Selena Gomez & the Scene, and was her last release with Hollywood Records. It's since been certified Gold.
Serving as the lead single from the album, Selena released 'The Heart Wants What It Wants', which became her second Top 10 hit in the U.S., peaking at 30 in the UK Chart.
Throughout 2014 and 2015, Selena also appeared in various films, including the likes of Behaving Badly and Rudderless.
2015: Huge collaborations and 'Good For You'
In 2015, while she was working on her second album, Selena dropped a huge collaboration with German DJ Zedd. Released in February of that year, the track was titled 'I Want You to Know', and was an instant hit with fans. Scoring the Number 4 spot in the UK Dance Chart, the song also hit Number 14 in the UK Singles Chart.
It was then in June 2015 that Selena released the lead single from her then-upcoming second album. If that wasn't enough to get fans excited, the song - titled 'Good For You' - featured American rapper ASAP Rocky. An undeniable success, the song debuted at Number 1 on the Digital Songs Chart, and also gave her the best sales week for a single in her career.
2015 also saw the drop of Taylor Swift's iconic music video for 'Bad Blood', which featured a selection of the singer's besties - including, of course, Selena!
2015: 'Revival'
On 9th October 2015, Selena released her second album, titled 'Revival'. This was her first album since parting with Hollywood Records, with 'Revival' being released by Interscope Records, and now being certified Gold in the UK. Co-writing 12 of its 16 tracks, the album reflects her journey with media scrutiny since 2013.
Songs on the album include the titular track, as well as 'Kill Em with Kindness', 'Me & the Rhythm' and the hit bop 'Hands to Myself', which hit Number 14 in the UK Chart.
The album - primarily dance-pop - also incorporates electro-pop with R&B vibes throughout, with Rolling Stone describing it as 'the sound of a newly empowered pop artist growing into her strengths like never before'.
2016: Tour and collabs
From May 2016, Selena embarked on her worldwide 'Revival Tour', however was forced to cancel the final August European and South America legs due to her health, after being diagnosed with Lupus in 2014.
Beginning work on her third album, Selena delighted fans when she released a collaboration with Charlie Puth, in the form of his single 'We Don't Talk Anymore'. An international success, the song hit the Number 14 spot in the UK Chart and now certified Platinum by the BPI. On top of that, with over 3 billion views, the music video became the YouTube's most-viewed music video published in 2016.
2016: Most followed person on Instagram and awards
After taking time away to focus on her mental health, Selena was noticeably absent from her socials. Despite this, Selena became the most followed person on Instagram, and was also the first to reach 100 million followers.
On 20th November 2016, she made her first appearance since taking time away when she appeared at the 2016 American Music Awards. Nominated for two awards, Selena took home the gong for Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist. She was also nominated for two awards at the 2016 Billboard Music Awards, as well as being named in Forbes' 30 Under 30 list, in the music category.
2017: 'It Ain't Me' with Kygo
On 16th February 2017, Selena dropped one of her most popular collabs to date 'It Ain't Me', with Norwegian DJ Kygo. The pair released the song together, with it reaching the Top 10 of most major music charts worldwide, including the UK. Peaking at Number 7 in the UK Singles Chart, and Number 2 in the UK Dance Chart, the song also received multiple nominations for major awards worldwide.
2017: 13 Reasons Why
Also in 2017, Selena served as the executive producer for the series adaptation of 13 Reasons Why - a young adult novel originally written by Jay Asher in 2007. The show is described as a coming of age teen drama, which deals with hard-hitting subjects such as suicide and mental health. On the show, Selena said: "We stayed very true to the book and that's initially what (author) Jay Asher created was a beautifully tragic, complicated yet suspenseful story and I think that's what we wanted to do. We wanted to do it justice and, yeah, (the backlash is) gonna come no matter what. It's not an easy subject to talk about, but I'm very fortunate with how it's doing."
Premiering on Netflix in March 2017, the show - which starred Dylan Minnette and Katherine Langford - became the most tweeted about show of that year, and the most-watched original streaming series of 2018.
The TV series ended in June 2020, after four seasons. Throughout the seasons, Selena recorded multiple songs for the soundtracks, including 'Back To You' (season two) and a cover version of the song 'Only You' (season one).
2017: 'Bad Liar' and 'Wolves'
On 18th May 2017, Selena released her huge track 'Bad Liar'. Alongside the track, she released a vertical music video, exclusively through Spotify - marking the streaming platform's first-ever music video premiere.
With Billboard ranking 'Bad Liar' as the best song of 2017, it is widely considered Selena's best song. In July, she then released the now Platinum-selling single 'Fetish'.
Then, on 25th October 2017, Selena teamed up with EDM producer Marshmello on their track 'Wolves'. The song was a huge success, reaching the Top 10 on charts in the UK, Australia, Canada and numerous European countries.
Rounding off an incredible year, Selena was named Billboard's Woman of the Year.
2018: 'Taki Taki' with Cardi B, Ozuna and DJ Snake
In September 2018, Selena featured on DJ Snake's track 'Taki Taki', along with rap icon Cardi B and Ozuna. The track peaked at 15 in the UK Chart, landing the Number 3 spot on the UK Dance Chart.
Nominated for numerous awards, the track took home two Latin American Music Awards, as well as an MTV Millennial Award.
At this point, from 2011, Selena had a streak of 16 consecutive Top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, which is the longest active run of any artist. By November, the singer became Spotify's most-streamed artist at the time - surpassing Drake - with 46 million monthly listeners, despite not releasing an album since 2015.
2019: New music and A Rainy Day in New York
In 2019, Selena featured in multiple films, including The Dead Don't Die, in which she played Zoe, and A Rainy Day in New York - alongside Timothée Chalamet and Elle Fanning - where she played Chan Tyrell. 2019 also saw her take up the role of executive producer again - this time for the Netflix docuseries Living Undocumented, which follows eight undocumented families in America.
In October 2019, fans welcomed brand new music from Selena, in the form of the emotionally raw 'Lose You to Love Me' - serving as the lead single from her third solo album.
2019-2020: 'Lose You to Love Me' and her third solo album
Selena released 'Lose You to Love Me' on 23rd October 2019, waiting just one day until she surprise-released her third album's next track - 'Look at Her Now'. 'Lose You to Love Me' became her first Number 1 song in the U.S. and Canada, while hitting the Number 3 spot on the UK Chart. While the song is commonly thought to be about her ex-boyfriend Justin Bieber, who she split from the year prior, Selena gave an emotional performance of the track at the 2019 American Music Awards.
Her highly-anticipated third solo album, 'Rare', was later released on 10th January 2020. 'Rare' became her third consecutive Number 1 album in the U.S, also hitting the Number 2 spot in the UK. Widely considered her best album, Variety described the work as: 'Sophisticated, precisely written and expertly produced music'.
2020: Dolittle
Lending her vocal talents to the world of cinema once more - after already voicing characters in three Hotel Transylvania films - Selena voiced a giraffe in the adventure film Dolittle. the film starred Robert Downey Jr., and is one of many animated films Selena has voiced characters for.
2020: Selena launches Rare Beauty
In September 2020, Selena had fans over the moon when she launched her very own makeup line, called Rare Beauty. Pulling inspiration from her third album - aptly titled 'Rare' - the company aims to 'break down unrealistic standards of perfection', through promoting inclusivity as well as addressing mental health initiatives and education. As part of this, 1% of all sales are donated to the Rare Beauty Impact Fund, honouring their 'commitment to give people access to the resources they need to support their mental health.'
The makeup products are now available internationally, with the line named Startup of the Year at the 2020 WWD Beauty Inc Awards.
2021: Only Murders in the Building
In 2021, Selena starred in, and also executively produced, the Hulu/Disney+ series Only Murders in the Building. She co-stars alongside Hollywood giant Steve Martin and Martin Short, with four seasons of the show now available to stream. Starring as Mabel Mora, the American mystery comedy-drama series follows three strangers, who share an interest in true crime podcasts, as they team up to investigate a death in their apartment building.
It's fair to say the show is a hit with fans, earning Selena numerous award nominations, including Golden Globe Awards and People's Choice Awards. The show has also been nominated for countless Emmy Awards, winning three so far.
2022: My Mind & Me
November 2022 saw the release of the 'raw and intimate' documentary film Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me. Released on 4th November on Apple TV+, the film - directed by Alek Keshishian - delved into Selena's mental health journey through her years of fame. Following her over a six-year period, the film documents both her physical and mental struggles over the years, in the wake of her diagnosis with lupus and bipolar disorder.
2023: Makeup, TV and new music
2023 was a huge year for Selena. Not only did we see her to reprise her role as Mabel in Apple TV+'s Only Murders in the Building, but it's fair to say that Rare Beauty dominated the makeup world - and now skincare! After a successful year of picking up awards such as Allure Best of Beauty and Cosmopolitan Beauty, the brand released their Find Comfort Body Collection in December.
On top of that, Selena released brand new music in 2023, with us welcoming the release of her breakup song 'Single Soon' on 25th August, and also teasing that her fourth album is on the way.
2024: Wizards of Waverly Place announced to return
In January 2024, the exciting news was announced that Disney's smash-hit show Wizards of Waverly Place will be making its triumphant return! Featuring both Selena and David Henrie, playing their iconic roles of Alex and Justin Russo, the show will be returning for a sequel.
Confirming the exciting news on his Instagram, David added: 'The Russos are excited to become a part of your family, once again, but we've grown'. Claiming '2024, the year magic comes back', David also confirmed on 4th February that filming for the pilot had wrapped!
2024: Selena releases 'Love On'
On 22nd February 2024, Selena dropped more new music in the form of her single 'Love On'! Alongside the track's release, the singer dropped the colourful and Parisian-inspired music video to go with the flirty song.
Watch the official music video for Selena Gomez' 'Love On' here on YouTube!
October 2024: Wizards Beyond Waverly Place is released
On 29th October 2024, Wizards Beyond Waverly Place premiered on the Disney channel, with the full series released on Disney+ the following day. The sequel - arriving 17 years after the start of the original series - sees Selena return as Alex Russo, alongside a new cast of young wizards for more spellbinding comedy.
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