Selena Gomez Biography

Selena Marie Gomez was born and raised in Grand Prairie, Texas, to Mandy Teefey, who is of part Italian descent, and Ricardo Gomez, who is of Mexican descent and originally from New Mexico. Her parents divorced in 1997. Giving birth to Selena at 16, her mom Mandy recalls living "paycheck-to-paycheck". Selena started out on Barney & Friends (1992) as "Gianna" in 2001 where she really discovered her talent. Unfortunately, they dropped her from the series after just two years. In 2003, she had a very small role in the movie Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over (2003) and a bit part in 2005 when she played "Julie" in Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire (2005) with Mitchel Musso and in 2006 as "Emily Grace Garcia" in Brain Zapped (2006) when she recorded a song for the movie. She she guest starred as "Gwen" in The Suite Life of Zack and Cody (2005) and as Hannah's rival, the 'evil' "Mikayla", in Hannah Montana (2006). Selena's amazing talent landed her roles in two Disney series, both spin-offs. Unfortunately, neither show was picked up until 2007 when she got the role of "Alex Russo" in the magical series Wizards of Waverly Place (2007) which she auditioned for three times. In March 2008, she made her first animated movie Horton Hears a Who!(2008) and later starred in Another Cinderella Story (2008) with Disney Channel starDrew Seeley for ABC Family. Her two Disney Channel Original Movies Princess Protection Program (2009), with real-life BFF Demi Lovato, and Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie (2009) will both air Summer 2009.

Before landing the role of "Alex Russo" in Wizards of Waverly Place (2007), she wasn't a fan of either magic or the Harry Potter franchise.

Her role model and favorite actress is Rachel McAdams.

While filming the animated movie Horton Hears a Who! (2008), she played Steve Carell's daughter but never got to meet him.

She became interested in acting after watching her mom, Mandy Teefey.

Her favorite band is Paramore.

She adopted her dog named Chip from an animal shelter.

Discovered by Disney in a nationwide casting call.

Sings the theme tune to her Disney Channel show Wizards of Waverly Place (2007).

Has six dogs: Chip, Willy, Fina, Wallace, Chaz and Baylor.

Her mom, Mandy Teefey, remarried in 2006 to Brian Teefey.

Wears a purity ring that says "True Love Waits".

Her father is of Mexican descent. Her mother, who was adopted, is of part Italian ancestry.

Her mom gave birth to her at the age of 16.

Her parents divorced when she was five years old.

She was named after Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, who died almost three years after Gomez was born.

She went to Danny Jones Middle School located in Texas.

Her first name means "moon" in Greek.

She is a huge fan of Johnny Depp and Lady Sovereign.

Both her family and Fernanda Romero are from the same town in Mexico.

Used to do a YouTube show with best friend Demi Lovato called "The Demi and Selena Show".

Has a song about her on YouTube called "Selena Gomez" by Greg Kurka.

Involved with the charity Raise Hope for Congo which helps raise awareness about the violence against Congolese women.

Participated in the "Runway for Life" benefit for St. Jude's Children Research Hospial.

Was named the youngest ambassador to UNICEF at age 17 (2009).

Lead singer of the band Selena Gomez & The Scene.

She and her mom, 'Mandy Teefey' (qav) said good-bye to friends and family in Grand Prairie, TX, to start a new Life in Los Angeles after hearing the life-changing news of Selena's new role on Wizards of Waverly Place (2007).

Is a fan of Britney Spears and considers Britney to be one of her idols.

Huge fan of Fefe Dobson, she covered one of Dobson's tracks "As a Blonde" on her album "Kiss and tell" and Fefe also co-wrote Selena's hit single "Round and Round".

For her 2011 music video "Love You Like A Love Song", Gomez had horses spray-painted pink. This led to accusations from PETA and singer Pink about the treatment of the animals.

Hospitalized with nausea and terrible headaches after appearing on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (1992). She was later diagnosed with physical exhaustion and food poisoning [June 13, 2011].

Is friends with Demi Lovato since they met on July 22, 1999 on a casting for Barney & Friends (1992). Later, they worked together on Princess Protection Program (2009) andSonny with a Chance (2009). Also directed, together, The Demi and Selena Show(2008).

Was in on-off relationship with Justin Bieber from December 2010 to January 2013.

(December 16, 2011) Her mother Mandy Teefey miscarried her future younger half-sister who was due to be named Scarlett J. Teefey at 16 weeks of pregnancy.

Has 2 younger half-sisters - Gracie Elliot Teefey (b.June 12, 2013) via her motherMandy Teefey and her 2nd husband Brian Teefey and Victoria Gomez (b.June 25, 2014) via her father Ricardo Gomez and his 2nd wife Sara Gomez.

Shooting with Lalaine on the set of Lizzie McGuire (2001) television spin-off "Stevie Sanchez" for the Disney Channel. She will play Miranda's kid sister, Stephanie "Stevie" Sanchez.

Appeared in a commercial for Borden milk.

On December 27, 2013 it was reported that she was suffering from lupus for the past several years. On October 9, 2015 she confirmed the diagnosis and underwent chemotherapy.

Ranked #19 on Maxim's "Hot 100" of 2014 list.

Personal Quotes (23)

Be yourself always, there's no one better!

I was never the girl who thought I need to make sure I look like all the other girls. I think you look best when you stand out.

I wanted to be like my friends. I hung out with girls who had blue eyes and blond hair and I thought, "I want to look like them!".

I love Katy Perry! She gave me a song for my second album.

Everyone wants songs written by Katy Perry. I asked her and she was so nice--she just said, "Yeah, you can have it". She was very kind.

I don't actually like dates. I get awkward as I never know what to do.

For me, the person that I really admire because they came from this Disney world would be Shia LaBeouf. He had his own show on Disney Channel. He was really funny and I loved his show. Then he started to do films. Now he is doing really great films and he is respected as an actor. I really like him a lot as an actor. I think he is cute, too, so that helps. I feel that I can relate to him the most.

I'm going to be Katy Perry for Halloween. I'm going to have the blue hair and the ice cream outfit she did. It's going to be awesome.