selena gomez biography essay

Selena Gomez

A former fixture on the Disney Channel, Selena Gomez has since made a name for herself as a Grammy-nominated musician, actor, and beauty entrepreneur.

Who Is Selena Gomez?

Quick facts, movies and tv shows, music career, health: lupus and bipolar diagnoses, rare beauty and activism, relationships: justin bieber and others.

1992-present

Selena Gomez Now: 'Only Murders In The Building' Season 3 Releases

With the return of Hulu’s hit comedy series Only Murders In The Building on August 8, Selena Gomez is back in front of fans. “I’m not sure I have enough words to explain just how beautiful this season has been,” the 31-year-old actor shared in an Instagram post . “It has been deliriously hilarious, challenging and for me, an absolute dream.” Gomez plays Mabel Mora, and alongside Steve Martin ’s Charles-Haden Savage and Martin Short’s Oliver Putnam, the three neighbors attempt to solve crimes in their building. For Season 3, Hollywood heavyweights Meryl Streep and Paul Rudd guest star.

Actor and singer Selena Gomez got her start in show business at age 9 with a two-year run on the kids show Barney & Friends . Gomez became a Disney Channel star in 2007 as the lead in the show Wizards of Waverly Place . She is also known for her roles in the Hotel Transylvania movie franchise and Hulu’s hit comedy series, Only Murders In the Building , which earned her a 2023 Golden Globe nomination. Simultaneously, Gomez grew her pop music career, and her three solo albums have topped the Billboard 200 chart. Her hit songs include “Lose You To Love Me,”“Good For You,” and “Calm Down.” The founder of Rare Beauty has a massive social media following and became the first woman on Instagram to surpass 400 million followers in March 2023.

FULL NAME: Selena Marie Gomez BORN: July 22, 1992 BIRTHPLACE: Grand Prairie, Texas ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Cancer

Selena Marie Gomez was born in Grand Prairie, Texas, on July 22, 1992, to Amanda Cornett and Ricardo Gomez. Her mother, commonly known as Mandy, gave birth to Gomez at the age of 16.

Gomez began her career in show business in 2001 when she performed on the popular children’s program Barney & Friends as Gianna. Dropped from the series after two years, Gomez auditioned for other shows without much success. She landed a small role in the movie Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over in 2003 and a bit part as Julie on Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire in 2005. She also signed on to play Emily Grace Garcia in Brain Zapped in 2006, and even recorded a song for the show.

The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and Wizards of Waverly Place

In 2006, Gomez guest starred as Gwen in The Suite Life of Zack & Cody on the Disney Channel. Earning more work from Disney, Gomez was tapped to play the evil Mikayla for the Hannah Montana series.

She then landed her first starring role when the channel cast her as Alex Russo in the show Wizards of Waverly Place in 2007. The hit series ran for four seasons, until 2012, and won two Emmys for Outstanding Children’s Program.

Another Cinderella Story and Princess Protection Program

In 2008, Gomez made her first animated movie, Horton Hears a Who! , and starred in the ABC Family movie Another Cinderella Story with fellow Disney Channel actor Andrew Seeley. Selena filmed two projects for the Disney Channel Original Movie franchise as well. The first was Princess Protection Program , released in 2009 and also starring Demi Lovato . Later in 2009, she starred in Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie .

Hotel Transylvania

In 2012, Gomez performed the voice of Mavis in the animated movie Hotel Transylvania . She has since reprised the roles in the film’s three sequels, released in 2015, 2018, and 2022.

Breaking out of children’s fare, Gomez starred alongside James Franco and Vanessa Hudgens, among others, in Harmony Korine’s comedic crime thriller Spring Breakers (2013). That same year, Gomez co-starred with Ethan Hawke in the action thriller Getaway . In 2014, Gomez was featured in the comedy Behaving Badly , with Mary-Louise Parker.

The next year, she joined the cast of Season 9 of The Voice as a mentor for Gwen Stefani ’s team.

Only Murders In The Building

After several years away from the big screen, Gomez returned in 2019 in Jim Jarmusch’s zombie comedy The Dead Don’t Die . The next year, the multi-talented artist voiced the character of Betsy the giraffe in the Robert Downey Jr. film Dolittle.

But her most successful role of late is as Mabel Mora on the Hulu comedy series Only Murders In The Building . Now in its third season, Gomez stars alongside comedic legends Steven Martin and Martin Short as true crime–obsessed neighbors who attempt to solve a murder in their building on New York City’s Upper West Side. Gomez earned a 2023 Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Television Actress - Musical/Comedy Series, and the show, for which she also serves as a producer, earned back-to-back Emmy nominations for Outstanding Comedy Series.

Along with her acting, Gomez began building a music career by recording soundtrack songs in 2008 and 2009. That included three tunes for the soundtrack to her movie Another Cinderella Story , a song for the animated movie Tinker Bell , the single “One and the Same” for Princess Protection Program as a duet with co-star Demi Lovato , as well as four songs for the soundtrack to Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie .

Soon, Gomez moved on to original music as the lead singer of Selena Gomez & the Scene. The pop band, which had a contract with Hollywood Records, released three albums: Kiss & Tell (2009), A Year Without Rain (2010), and When the Sun Goes Down (2011). Some of their popular songs included “Love You Like a Love Song,” “Who Says,” and “Naturally.” The group split up in 2012.

Solo Albums

Far from the end of her musical journey, Gomez embarked on a solo career the next year. She has released three studio albums, all of which have topped the Billboard 200 upon release, and a Spanish-language EP.

.css-zjsofe{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;background-color:#ffffff;border:0;border-bottom:none;border-top:thin solid #CDCDCD;color:#000;cursor:pointer;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;font-style:inherit;font-weight:inherit;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:flex-start;justify-content:flex-start;padding-bottom:0.3125rem;padding-top:0.3125rem;scroll-margin-top:0rem;text-align:left;width:100%;}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-zjsofe{scroll-margin-top:3.375rem;}} .css-jtmji2{border-radius:50%;width:1.875rem;border:thin solid #6F6F6F;height:1.875rem;padding:0.4rem;margin-right:0.625rem;} .css-jlx6sx{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;width:0.9375rem;height:0.9375rem;margin-right:0.625rem;-webkit-transform:rotate(90deg);-moz-transform:rotate(90deg);-ms-transform:rotate(90deg);transform:rotate(90deg);-webkit-transition:-webkit-transform 250ms ease-in-out;transition:transform 250ms ease-in-out;} Stars Dance

Her solo debut album released in August 2013. It featured two early hits for Gomez: “Come & Get It” and “Slow Down.” Both songs are now multiplatinum.

Revival   went platinum six months after its October 2015 release. It also introduced a new, more adult side of Gomez, who had long been in the shadows of her Disney stardom. Songs included the platinum single “Kill Em With Kindness” and multiplatinum hits “Hands To Myself” and “Same Old Love.”

Gomez’s third studio album came in January 2020. Not reaching the same level of success as her sophomore album,  Rare nonetheless included the singer’s first Billboard No. 1 song “Lose You To Love Me.”

Revelación (EP)

Her Spanish-language EP, released in March 2021, didn’t rise to the commercial success of her albums, but it captured critical acclaim, earning Gomez her first Grammy nomination for Best Latin Pop Album.

Gomez has shared she is working on a new album, sharing photos from inside a recording studio in June 2023. She has not announced its name or any details about when it could be released.

Gomez has regularly graced the Billboard Hot 100. Her first Top 10 hit, “Come & Get It,” came in April 2013. “The Heart Wants What It Wants,” “Good For You” featuring A$AP Rocky , “Same Old Love,” and “Hands To Myself” followed. Then, in November 2019, “Lose You To Love Me” soared to No. 1 ahead of its inclusion on her third album, Rare .

Other popular songs include 2017’s “Bad Liar,” “Fetish” featuring Gucci Mane, and “It Ain’t Me,” a collaboration with Norwegian DJ Kygo. She also teamed up with the mysterious Marshmello for ”Wolves.” In May 2018, Gomez released the track “Back to You” for Netflix’s teen suicide drama 13 Reasons Why .

More recently, Gomez has found success on collaboration singles, such as “Baila Conmigo” with Rauw Alejandro, “Let Somebody Go” with Coldplay, and “Calm Down” with Rema. Her latest single “My Mind & Me” released shortly after her documentary in November 2022.

Billboard’s Woman of the Year

In November 2017, months after undergoing kidney transplant surgery, Gomez was named woman of the year at the annual Billboard Women in Music event. “I would like to thank my amazing team and my family because they stuck with me through some really hard times,” she told the crowd. “And I got to do a lot this year, even though I had a couple of other things to do.”

In early January 2014, it was reported that Gomez had been battling lupus—an autoimmune disease that can cause facial swelling, fatigue, headaches, and joint pain—for more than two years. In September 2017, the multitalented artist revealed that advancing symptoms of lupus had forced her to undergo a kidney transplant earlier in the year, with her roommate and friend Francia Raísa serving as the donor.

One month later, Gomez provided details of the experience with The Today show’s Savannah Guthrie in an NBC news interview: “She lived with me in this interesting time where my kidneys were just done,” Gomez recalled. “The thought of asking somebody to [donate] was really difficult for me. And she volunteered and did it… The fact that she was a match, I mean, that’s unbelievable.”

Thanks to Raísa, Gomez was able to quickly move to the operating room for the life-saving procedure. While there were additional complications during the operation, Gomez has recovered nicely, noting that there was a 3 to 5 percent chance of her lupus resurfacing.

In November 2017, Gomez was honored at the Lupus Research Alliance Annual Gala in New York City for helping to raise more than $500,000 toward research for the disease. During her speech, she recalled the moment doctors stressed to her the urgency of undergoing a transplant procedure. “It actually got to a point where it was life-or-death,” she said. “Thankfully, one of my best friends gave me her kidney, and it was the ultimate gift of life. And I am doing quite well now.”

The chart-topping artist, who previously spoke about her battles with anxiety and depression, revealed in an April 2020 interview with Miley Cyrus that she had been diagnosed as bipolar. “When I got to know more information, it actually helps me,” Gomez told her fellow former Disney star. “It doesn’t scare me once I know it.”

Gomez opened up even more about her mental health in the 2022 Apple TV+ documentary Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me , revealing that she was initially skeptical. “I’m gonna be honest, I didn’t wanna go to the mental health hospital,” she says in the documentary. “I didn’t want to, but I didn’t want to be trapped in myself and my mind anymore. I thought my life was over. I thought, ‘This is what my life’s going to be like forever.’”

Outside of acting and music, Gomez has delved into business. In 2017, she teamed with Coach to launch the Selena Grace line of handbags and accessories, and the following year, the two sides collaborated again for a ready-to-wear collection.

September 2020 saw the launch of Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez, her massively popular makeup line, and the Rare Impact Fund, its philanthropic partner dedicated to mental health. Bloomberg reported in July 2023 that the company sold $70 million worth of a liquid blush year to date and the company expected to triple its overall says year over year.

Additionally, Gomez has served as a spokesperson for Borden Milk, appearing in the organization’s advertising campaign and print ads. She also worked on a campaign that encouraged teenagers to learn more about the 2008 presidential candidates. A supporter of UNICEF, 17-year-old Gomez became one of the organization’s ambassadors in 2009 and works to help children around the world through her C.A.N. (Charity, Action, Now) initiative.

Gomez has dated fellow musicians Nick Jonas , Zedd, and The Weeknd , as well as been romantically linked to other stars. But her most well-known relationship has been with pop star Justin Bieber .

She and Bieber first met in 2009 and eventually entered into an on- and off-again relationship. Even after their final breakup in early 2018, the romance still provides fodder for the celebrity gossip mill. In 2023, the internet was aroar over a social media drama between Gomez and Hailey Bieber, whom Justin married in September 2018.

Gomez has publicly feuded with her mother, Mandy Teefy. The two unfollowed each other on Instagram in December 2017, with some speculating it was because the singer had rekindled her romance with Bieber, though another source said the situation was more complicated than that. Teefy later told Gossip Cop that she wasn’t happy with her daughter dating Bieber, but said there was little she could do about it. “Selena can live her life however she wants as long as she is happy, safe and healthy,” she said.

Fact Check: We strive for accuracy and fairness. If you see something that doesn’t look right, contact us !

The Biography.com staff is a team of people-obsessed and news-hungry editors with decades of collective experience. We have worked as daily newspaper reporters, major national magazine editors, and as editors-in-chief of regional media publications. Among our ranks are book authors and award-winning journalists. Our staff also works with freelance writers, researchers, and other contributors to produce the smart, compelling profiles and articles you see on our site. To meet the team, visit our About Us page: https://www.biography.com/about/a43602329/about-us

Adrienne directs the daily news operation and content production for Biography.com. She joined the staff in October 2022 and most recently worked as an editor for Popular Mechanics , Runner’s World , and Bicycling . Adrienne has served as editor-in-chief of two regional print magazines, and her work has won several awards, including the Best Explanatory Journalism award from the Alliance of Area Business Publishers. Her current working theory is that people are the point of life, and she’s fascinated by everyone who (and every system that) creates our societal norms. When she’s not behind the news desk, find her hiking, working on her latest cocktail project, or eating mint chocolate chip ice cream. 

Watch Next .css-smpm16:after{background-color:#323232;color:#fff;margin-left:1.8rem;margin-top:1.25rem;width:1.5rem;height:0.063rem;content:'';display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;}

Entrepreneurs

The Life and Hip-Hop Legacy of DJ Mister Cee

The Truth About Walt Disney’s Frozen Head

Sean “Diddy” Combs

Frederick Jones

Lonnie Johnson

Oprah Winfrey

Madam C.J. Walker

Enzo Ferrari

The Tragic True Story of the ‘Ferrari’ Movie

Suge Knight

Jimmy Buffett

Selena Gomez

• Born July 22 , 1992 · Grand Prairie, Texas, USA
• Birth name Selena Marie Gomez
• Height 5′ 5″ (1.65 m)
• Actress and singer Selena Gomez was born on July 22, 1992 in Grand Prairie, Texas. She is the daughter of Mandy Teefey and Ricardo Gomez. Her mother is of part Italian ancestry, and her father is of Mexican descent. She was named after Tejano singer Selena , who died in 1995. Her first acting role was as "Gianna" in the popular '90s children's television show Barney & Friends (1992) , alongside Demi Lovato from 2002-2004. Gomez also had roles in Spy Kids 3: Game Over (2003) , Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire (2005) , and House Broken (2006) . Gomez moved to Los Angeles, California when she booked the lead role of "Alex Russo" and rose to fame in the Disney Channel series Wizards of Waverly Place (2007) . She then starred in Another Cinderella Story (2008) on ABC Family, had her first voice-role in the animated film Horton Hears a Who! (2008) , and co-starred with childhood friend, Demi Lovato , in Princess Protection Program (2009) . In 2009, Gomez released her first album with her band called "Selena Gomez & the Scene," which ranked #9 on the Billboard 200 album charts. Gomez later released two other albums with her band and starred in Monte Carlo (2011) , Spring Breakers (2012) , and Hotel Transylvania (2012) . In 2013, she released her first solo album "Stars Dance" and the lead single "Come & Get It" from the album, became Gomez's first top ten entry on the Billboard Hot 100 list. She starred in Getaway (2013) , Rudderless (2014) , and Behaving Badly (2014) . In 2015, she released her second solo album "Revival," which debuted #1 on the Billboard 200 list, and starred in Hotel Transylvania 2 (2015) , The Fundamentals of Caring (2016) , In Dubious Battle (2016) , and Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising (2016) . She made her third solo album "Rare" in 2020. - IMDb Mini Biography By: Christian Frates
• Children No Children
• Parents Mandy Teefey Brian Teefey Ricardo Gomez Sara Gomez
• Relatives Gracie Elliot Teefey (Half Sibling) Victoria Gomez (Half Sibling)
• Known for her contributions to pop and Latin music.
• Voice of Mavis Dracula.
• (October 9, 2015) She confirmed that she was battling lupus for several years and underwent course of chemotherapy.
• Her mom gave birth to her at the age of 16.
• Her father is of Mexican descent. Her mother, who was adopted, is of part Italian ancestry.
• Discovered by Disney in a nationwide casting call.
• Used to do a YouTube show with best friend Demi Lovato called "The Demi and Selena Show".
• 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.
• [on having her own band] I'm going to be in a band--no Selena Gomez stuff. I'm not going to be a solo artist. I think that I don't want my name attached to it. I basically want to make music that is fun and that parents and kids can jump around to and have a good time to.
• 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!".
• [on declaring she will remain a virgin until marriage] I said, "Dad, I want a promise ring". He went to the church and got it blessed. He actually used me as an example for other kids. I'm going to keep my promise to myself, to my family and to God.
• Monte Carlo (2011) - $2,500,000
• Wizards of Waverly Place (2007) - $25,000 per episode
• Barney & Friends (1992) - $3,000 per episode

Contribute to this page

• Learn more about contributing

More from this person

• View agent, publicist, legal and company contact details on IMDbPro

More to explore

Most Popular

13 days ago

How to Write An Informative Essay

How to cite scientific papers, quetext vs grammarly, quillbot vs turnitin, native american weapons, selena gomez essay sample, example.

Selena Marie Gomez was born on July 22, 1992, in Grand Prairie, Texas. Her parents are Ricardo Joel Gomez and stage actress Amanda Dawn “Mandy” Cornett. Since her mother was an entertainer, it is no surprise that Selena after the singer Selena Quintanilla-Pérez. However, the marriage between her parents was not happy, and the couple divorced when Selena was only five years old. Selena stayed with her mother after the separation. The family struggled financially since Selena’s birth, and even more so after the divorce. Also, her mother was sixteen years old was she gave birth to Selena, and Selena’s grandparents helped to raise her (Bahr, Anna).

Despite this rough upbringing, she got an early start in the entertainment industry, being inspired by watching her mother preparing for stage productions. Before she was 10 years old, she was already auditioning. Barney & Friends, a famous children’s television show, chose Selena to appear in the production in 2002. In all, Selena appeared in 13 episodes in two years before she was deemed too old to be present on the show. Selena later stated that she learned most of what she knows now about acting for television from this initial experience (“Selena Gomez”).

While working on Barney & Friends, she had a cameo role in the film Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over in 2003. Her next cameo appearance was on the film Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire in 2005. Continuing to audition through her schooling, she also made a guest appearance on an episode of The Suite Life of Zack & Cody in 2006. She was homeschooled throughout these years, all the way up until receiving her high school diploma in 2010 (Nessif, Bruna).

Her breakout year, though, was 2007. This was in large part due to her being accepted for a recurring role in the series Hannah Montana, where she acted as popstar character Mikayla. While working on this series, Selena filmed pilot episodes for Disney shows Arwin! and Stevie Sanchez. She also auditioned and got the lead role in the Disney series Wizards of Waverly Place. This caused a dramatic shift in her career and family life, as Selena and her mother moved to Hollywood, California. Wizards of Waverly Place became a mainstream hit, and even went on to win nominations and awards. During this time, her singing career also started to take off, as she sang the theme song for Wizards of Waverly Place (“Wizards Of Waverly Place”).

While working on this series in its second season, she made more cameo appearances in music videos, and contributed to the album DisneyMania 6 with the cover of the song “Cruella de Vil.” In addition, she recorded the song “Fly to Your Heart” for the soundtrack for the film “Tinker Bell.” She also had a leading role in the film Another Cinderella Story in 2008. She was asked to sing three songs for the soundtrack. In the same year, Selena had a supporting role in the film Horton Hears a Who, which went onto to be a great success. All this work in her portfolio impressed the Hollywood Records label, and they agreed to sign her at age 16. This was just the beginning of her rapid stardom: she recorded several albums with a band, and went on to have a successful solo career, and continued to be in hit films, with roles that show her growing maturity as an artist. Though she later contracted lupus disease, she has a strong will, and continues to tour and act in films, receiving accolades and praise from critics (Rocketto, Leah).

Despite her financial issues in her childhood, and contracting lupus disease, Selena Gomez has been an entertainer practically since age 10. Inspired by her mother, she has been cast in many films, televisions series, and commercials, along with obtaining a budding music career as a popstar. From her portfolio, you can see without doubt that she is a hard worker and always keeps herself busy. Despite her health issues, her future looks bright.

Works Cited

Bahr, Anna. “Selena Gomez Talks Parents’ Divorce: ‘I Blamed My Mom A Lot’ (VIDEO).” HuffPost, HuffPost, 30 June 2011, www.huffpost.com/entry/selena-gomez-divorce_n_888017.

“Selena Gomez.” PEOPLE.com, Time Inc, people.com/tag/selena-gomez/.

Nessif, Bruna. “Time Warp: Spy Selena Gomez in Her First Film Role.” E! Online, E! News, 29 July 2011, www.eonline.com/news/255135/time-warp-spy-selena-gomez-in-her-first-film-role.

“Wizards Of Waverly Place.” Amazon, Amazon, www.amazon.com/Wizards-Waverly-Place-Soundtrack/dp/B002BA9QMK.

Rocketto, Leah. “Everything You Need to Know about Lupus, Selena Gomez’s Incurable Illness.” INSIDER, INSIDER, 14 Sept. 2017, www.thisisinsider.com/does-selena-gomez-have-lupus-what-is-it-2016-8.

Follow us on Reddit for more insights and updates.

Comments (1)

Welcome to A*Help comments!

We’re all about debate and discussion at A*Help.

We value the diverse opinions of users, so you may find points of view that you don’t agree with. And that’s cool. However, there are certain things we’re not OK with: attempts to manipulate our data in any way, for example, or the posting of discriminative, offensive, hateful, or disparaging material.

Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

More from Essay on Concert Review Examples and Samples

Nov 23 2023

Why Is Of Mice And Men Banned

Nov 21 2023

Is Listening to Music a Hobby?

Nov 07 2023

Pride and Prejudice Themes

Related writing guides, writing an expository essay.

Remember Me

What is your profession ? Student Teacher Writer Other

Forgotten Password?

Username or Email

• Entertainment
• celebrities

Everything We Learned from Selena Gomez’s New Documentary

Selena Gomez has ducked in and out of the spotlight since she left the Disney Channel in 2012. The world has gotten glimpses into her personal life with the very little she has shared on social media—she was for a time the most followed person on Instagram —but the pop star is sharing much more now with her new documentary, Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me , released on Apple TV+ today. Gomez is known to be a private person, but she’s revealed more than fans might have expected in the film. Viewers learn more about her mental health challenges, including her struggles with bipolar disorder and suicidal ideation, her battle with fame and having her name so often uttered in the same breath as an ex-boyfriend, and her journey of self-discovery.

The film is so revealing that the singer and Only Murders in the Building actor was close to pulling the plug entirely. She told Rolling Stone that she was nervous about releasing it: “I don’t want that to sound dramatic, but I almost wasn’t going to put this out,” she told the publication. “God’s honest truth, a few weeks ago, I wasn’t sure I could do it.”

Here’s everything we learned from watching Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me .

She opens up about her relationship with Justin Bieber

The documentary starts with footage from the final rehearsal before she embarked on the Revival Tour in 2016. Her team is figuring out costumes, sound, and staging when Gomez can’t contain her discomfort anymore and breaks down crying in her dressing room. She begins talking about all the things that are going wrong, from missing her marks to the way the costumes look, when her breakdown comes to a heartbreaking crescendo.

This moment took place in the throes of her tumultuous relationship with fellow pop star Justin Bieber , and in the documentary, Gomez says through tears that John Janik, CEO and Chairman of Interscope Records, had called her early that day to talk about a song with Bieber. This causes her to cry even harder and ask, “When am I going to be good enough just by myself… not needing anyone else to be associated with?” It was the first time we’ve seen her talk about how her relationship might have felt like it was overshadowing her as an artist and, more broadly, as a human being.

Later in the documentary she says, “I was haunted by a past relationship that no one wanted to let go of.”

She opens up about her battle with bipolar disorder

The most harrowing moment in the documentary takes place when Gomez’s former assistant details the time the singer approached her and said, “I don’t want to be alive right now.” This led to Gomez’s team deciding the tour would be canceled. Gomez had already completed the North American and Australian legs of her Revival tour, with plans to tour Europe and Latin America. In a statement to PEOPLE , the singer wrote that she “discovered that anxiety, panic attacks, and depression can be side effects of lupus, which can present their own challenges.” Gomez, who was diagnosed with lupus in 2011, announced that she would be canceling the rest of the tour to prioritize her mental and physical health.

The documentary reveals more about that moment in her life. In October 2018, she suffered a nervous breakdown and was “despondent and emotional” due to a low white blood cell count from complications of lupus. Gomez’s mother says she learned about the breakdown through TMZ, but neither she nor her daughter have spoken publicly about the experience until this documentary. Gomez was admitted to a mental health hospital, where her mother and her friend say that the singer was completely unrecognizable. She underwent treatment and was later released. In footage from 2019, viewers see a regretful Gomez in her bed, saying that she said some things she was not proud of and confessed that she “shouldn’t have talked to my mom and stepdad the way I did.”

Gomez shares more about how her lupus affects her daily life

Throughout the documentary, Gomez discusses how lupus affects her everyday life. When viewers are taken backstage at tour rehearsals, she is shown monitoring her blood pressure and mentions that if her blood pressure gets too high, she could have a stroke.

She also talks about the physical pain she has to deal with and at one point, we see her sobbing because her joint pain is so unbearable. She gets on the phone with her doctor, who tells her this could be a rheumatoid/lupus overlap and suggests that she get an IV treatment of rituxan, a medication used to treat certain autoimmune diseases and cancers. The singer explains how the treatment is not easy on a person’s system at first but she puts a brave face on because she wants to serve as inspiration for those who might be going through something similar.

She puts her heart into her philanthropic work

Gomez seems to find genuine joy in helping those in need. She constantly mentions what she feels is her greater purpose in life, and at one point, her friend calls her out to say, “I think you know what [your calling] is, but you don’t always choose to walk in it.” Gomez agrees but asks her to clarify, to which her friend replies, “I think you know what fuels you and gives you purpose and the things that make you happy, but I don’t always think you choose that.”

When doing her philanthropic work, which includes mental health advocacy, activism , and raising money for causes mental health advocacy and education, Gomez seems unable to wipe the smile off her face. When she’s taking meetings about her musical career , however, she’s constantly nervous. On a press tour, she appears annoyed. Shots of her in Kenya visiting a primary school and college she helped raise money to build show her at ease, connecting with the people she’s helping.

Gomez released a new song in tandem with the documentary, and has since teased her first musical comeback since 2020’s Rare album. In an interview with Variety , she said she plans to release music “hopefully next year.”

More Must-Reads From TIME

• Putin’s Enemies Are Struggling to Unite
• Women Say They Were Pressured Into Long-Term Birth Control
• What Student Photojournalists Saw at the Campus Protests
• Scientists Are Finding Out Just How Toxic Your Stuff Is
• Boredom Makes Us Human
• John Mulaney Has What Late Night Needs
• The 100 Most Influential People of 2024
• Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time

Write to Moises Mendez II at [email protected]

1.2 Social Media Trailblazer: Selena Gomez

Social media trailblazer: selena gomez, learning outcomes.

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

• Read for inquiry, learning, critical thinking, and communicating in various rhetorical contexts.
• Identify the elements of successful social media use.

“Our actions and words have an impact on others—whether on social media or in real life.”

Authenticity as Rhetoric

By any standard, singer, actor, and philanthropist Selena Gomez (b. 1992) is an influencer. By 2021, Gomez had amassed around 65 million Twitter followers and over 260 million Instagram followers, placing her among celebrities with top follower counts. Gomez was born in Grand Prairie, Texas, but raised outside of Dallas. She is named after the popular Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla-Perez (1971–1995), who was murdered by her fan club president but still maintains an avid following. Gomez entered show business as a child, inspired by the single mother, an amateur actress, who raised her. After roles on Barney and Friends (from 2002–2004) and Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over (2003), Gomez auditioned for the world of Disney. Appearing first on The Suite Life of Zack and Cody (2005–2008), Gomez landed a lead role as Alex Russo on Disney’s Wizards of Waverly Place (2007–2012), for which she also sang the theme song . By 2012, Gomez was ready to depart from such family-friendly roles, taking parts in films such as Spring Breakers (2012), The Dead Don’t Die (2019), and A Rainy Day in New York (2019). Gomez’s music career paralleled that of her acting career; she began as a member of the band Selena Gomez and the Scene (2009) and launched her solo career in 2012. Gomez has released the solo albums Stars Dance (2013), Revival (2015), and Rare (2020).

Despite Gomez’s success as a public figure, her relationship with social media has been rocky. Gomez describes her social media strategy as “intentional . . . I don’t take a lot of pointless pictures.” Gomez recognizes the power of her social media platform, and she has used it to champion the causes that she cares about. As a person diagnosed with both lupus (2015) and bipolar disorder (2018), Gomez has used social media to advocate for mental and physical health causes. (Lupus is an inflammatory disease caused by the immune system attacking its own tissue; bipolar disorder is characterized by extreme mood swings.) Gomez says, “Everything that I’m attached to has a charity aspect.” She continues, “If something good isn’t coming out of it, I’m not going to do it.” This “intentional,” open approach to her personal difficulties and her emphasis on building positivity out of struggle generates an intimacy with fans that has served to increase her following.

However, the most radical action that Gomez may have committed with regard to social media was her decision to quit it. Suffering from publicity overload, cyberbullying, and a negatively changing sense of self, Gomez handed over her Instagram account to her assistant in 2017. She has also handed her Instagram account over to people such as Georgia voting rights advocate Stacey Abrams (b. 1973) as part of the #ShareTheMicNow campaign, which amplifies the voices of Black women. Gomez deleted social media apps from her smartphone and gave up knowledge of her passwords. She claims that the move has been liberating: “I suddenly had to learn how to be with myself.” She reflects that there were 150 million people on her phone, and “I just put it down. . . . That was such a relief.”

Despite the shift in approach, Gomez’s relationship with social media remains strong. She actively cultivates a “deliberate . . . vulnerability” through her unwillingness to shy away from tough or important issues. Regardless of which of Gomez’s assistants hits the “post” button, Gomez’s focus on giving of herself to improve society resonates with her fans.

Discussion Questions

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

This book may not be used in the training of large language models or otherwise be ingested into large language models or generative AI offerings without OpenStax's permission.

Want to cite, share, or modify this book? This book uses the Creative Commons Attribution License and you must attribute OpenStax.

Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/writing-guide/pages/1-unit-introduction

• Authors: Michelle Bachelor Robinson, Maria Jerskey, featuring Toby Fulwiler
• Publisher/website: OpenStax
• Book title: Writing Guide with Handbook
• Publication date: Dec 21, 2021
• Location: Houston, Texas
• Book URL: https://openstax.org/books/writing-guide/pages/1-unit-introduction
• Section URL: https://openstax.org/books/writing-guide/pages/1-2-social-media-trailblazer-selena-gomez

© Dec 19, 2023 OpenStax. Textbook content produced by OpenStax is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License . The OpenStax name, OpenStax logo, OpenStax book covers, OpenStax CNX name, and OpenStax CNX logo are not subject to the Creative Commons license and may not be reproduced without the prior and express written consent of Rice University.

How Selena Gomez's Passion for Diversity Led to Her Most Inspiring Projects Yet

From the Rare Beauty Impact Fund to highlighting immigration issues, the 29-year-old actress is making a difference.

Selena Gomez started 2020 feeling like she got her "step back." "I feel like, 'All right, I'm back in the game a bit,'" she told ET at the January 2020 premiere of her movie, Dolittle. 

The 29-year-old singer was discussing returning to music with her new album, Rare , five years after her last record, Revival.  (Gomez's first ever Spanish-language album , Revelación , dropped in March.) But being "back in the game" described more than just her reemergence on the Billboard charts. Over the last year, Gomez has also found success in film, ( Dolittle, A Rainy Day in New York ) and TV ( Living Undocumented, Selena + Chef ) -- while also making headlines and creating an impact for her incredible charitable initiatives and advocacy. The common thread tying it all together seems to be Gomez's renewed connection to her community. 

Named after late Tejano icon Selena Quintanilla , Gomez was born in Grand Prairie, Texas, in 1992, to a 16-year-old Italian mother, Mandy, and a 17-year-old Mexican father, Rick. Her parents split when she was five, after which she spent most of her time with her mother, but she still felt a connection to her Mexican roots. "I'm a proud third-generation American-Mexican," the performer said in May 2020, via Define American . "When my family came here from Mexico, they set into motion my American story, as well as theirs. My family's journey and their sacrifices helped get me to where I am today." 

Gomez shared her family's "bravery and sacrifice" in a moving Time magazine piece last October, recalling how her aunt and grandparents courageously crossed the Mexican-American border "in the back of a truck." Her family's story -- described as being filled with "shame, uncertainty and fear" but also "hope, optimism and patriotism" -- is one that many immigrants can relate to, and the reason she wanted to produce the docuseries Living Undocumented. 

The project, which showcases eight immigrant families in the U.S. from different backgrounds, debuted on Netflix last fall. Like many viewers, Gomez felt moved by the heartbreaking, real struggles immigrant families experience while reaching for the American dream. She felt inspired to do more with her platform. 

"Undocumented immigration is an issue I think about every day, and I never forget how blessed I am to have been born in this country thanks to my family and the grace of circumstance. But when I read the news headlines or see debates about immigration rage on social media, I feel afraid for those in similar situations," Gomez wrote in her essay for Time. "I feel afraid for my country."

Though the actress and activist would like America's immigration crisis to be approached less from a political standpoint and more from a place of humanity, empathy and compassion, she knows how policy is made. Earlier this summer, Gomez was announced as a co-chair of When We All Vote , a national, nonpartisan organization launched in 2018 to increase participation in every election. She has used her social media presence to encourage fans to register to vote, head to the polls, and work for the change they want to see in the world. 

Gomez has also used her platform to support the Black Lives Matter movement. "Educating ourselves is the first step if we hope to make any progress in bringing an end to systemic racism," she wrote on Instagram on June 18, 2020. "As much as one might want to believe things have gotten better we cannot deny any longer that they have not. We need to acknowledge that social, political and economic discrimination against Black communities continues to exist."

The "Wolves" singer lent her profile and 180 million-plus followers to stars, political figures and activists like Kendrick Sampson, Stacey Abrams and Raquel Willis, offering them an opportunity to speak, educate and amplify important causes. 

"I was so upset with how people were being treated, and having people in my life that have dealt with that for years, telling me stories that they've never told me before," Gomez said in an interview with Allure , during which she also noted that she had two memorable, personal experiences with discrimination in her early childhood, while with her father. "That's why what I did with my social media was extremely important -- having all of these different voices share their experiences. I didn't want to be someone that was going to just post something [or make a] donation."

Gomez's advocacy for Black and brown communities has also intersected with her passion for mental health and work as an entrepreneur. In celebration of her 28th birthday last year, she announced that her beauty brand, Rare Beauty , will help connect underserved communities with access to mental health services. 

From the first Rare Beauty product sold onward, one percent of all sales, as well as funds raised from partners, will be dedicated to the Rare Impact Fund, as they hope to raise $100 million over the next 10 years to help address gaps in mental health services.

"Since the brand's inception, we wanted to find a way to give back to our community and further support people who needed access to mental health services, which have had a profound impact on my life," Gomez said in a statement about the Rare Impact Fund. "Rare Beauty is focused on helping people feel more connected to one another and less alone in the world." 

Even amid her more lighthearted projects, like her HBO Max cooking show, Selena + Chef , Gomez is making a difference. Each episode of the series, renewed in August for season 2, sees Gomez teaming up with a celebrity chef like Roy Choi, Antonia Lofaso and Nancy Silverton, for a refreshingly real cooking lesson, while also spotlighting a food-related charity. Gomez donates $10,000 to each charity featured. 

While discussing chef Lofaso's charity of choice, Beit T'Shuvah, a Los Angeles-based drug and rehab facility, on episode 2 of the series, Gomez opened up about her struggles with mental health. 

"I also have bipolar, so I deal with a lot of mental health issues and some of my family members are also addicts, so it's something I'm extremely passionate about as well," Gomez shared. "I think that there is a lot of shame and guilt in it and then there's also this pressure of, you know, wanting to feel like you're a part of the crowd if you do this and do that. So I'm very grateful I now know that that's something that you do and people can check it out."

As a UNICEF ambassador for over 10 years, advocacy has been an important part of Gomez's life. Charity concerts that she's put on to support the organization have raised over $200,000, helping UNICEF provide lifesaving therapeutic foods, clean water, medicines, immunizations and education to children worldwide.  

She also recently provided support for kids closer to home, paying a visit to students at Danny Jones Middle School in Mansfield, Texas, which she attended before her Disney career took off as a preteen. 

"This district has grown a lot, and I'm really proud of that, just because it has allowed many other kids to have the opportunity to have a good education," she said during her surprise visit last September. "What I would tell them is that it's really hard, but it's worth it."

"I wasn't a straight-A student by any means, but I think it's really important, and I think it's also important to make sure you're being kind to someone, and to see them eating alone like I did when I was here, just to say hi and just encourage them in their schoolwork," Gomez added. "Anything is possible for them."

Shortly after leaving Danny Jones Middle School, Gomez moved to Los Angeles with her mom, and became one of the first Latina actresses to lead a Disney Channel series with Wizards of Waverly Place . That was her "high school," she joked to Allure, crediting her Disney days with building the career she has today. Gomez has since grown as a performer, producer and activist, giving back to her community and paving a way for others to follow in her footsteps, and lean into the "rare" mentality. 

"[The word] has become the identity of my brand and who I want to be,” said Gomez, who was recently named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people of 2020, “which is showing people that being diverse and different, whatever was happening, I wanted it to feel like you were included.”

Updates on Celebrity News, TV, Fashion and More!

RELATED CONTENT: 

Selena Gomez Gives Kitchen Tour as 'Selena + Chef' Gets Season 2

Latinx-Owned Brands to Shop for Hispanic Heritage Month and Beyond

• Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month: The History, Importance and Ways to Celebrate

• Selena Gomez

The Star is Born: Reflecting on Selena Gomez’s Early Years in Texas

This essay about Selena Gomez explores her early years in Texas, highlighting how her upbringing and local culture shaped her into a global star. Born in Grand Prairie and named after a legendary singer, Selena was immersed in a rich musical heritage from a young age, leading to her roles in local theater and TV shows like “Barney & Friends.” Her Texan roots played a key role in her development as she transitioned to stardom through Disney’s “Wizards of Waverly Place,” maintaining her cultural values and resilience throughout her career.

How it works

Selena Gomez’s journey to stardom is a compelling tale of talent, resilience, and transformation that began in the heart of Texas. Born in Grand Prairie, a suburb nestled between Dallas and Fort Worth, Selena’s early life was marked by humble beginnings that hinted at the extraordinary path she was destined to follow. Named after the legendary Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla-Perez, young Selena Marie Gomez seemed predestined for a life in the spotlight, embodying a legacy of musical prowess and cultural impact from a tender age.

Growing up in Texas, Selena’s upbringing was steeped in the rich musical heritage of her surroundings. Her father, of Mexican descent, and her mother, of Italian ancestry, both cherished music, inadvertently weaving it into the fabric of Selena’s daily life. This blend of cultural influences fostered a deep love for music and performing arts in Selena, who found herself drawn to the stage as naturally as the southern sun rises over the plains.

Selena’s mother, Mandy Teefey, a former stage actress herself, recognized her daughter’s potential early on. By the age of six, Selena was already a fixture in the local Texas theater scene, participating in stage productions that ranged from the whimsically enchanting to the dramatically poignant. These experiences not only honed her skills as a performer but also instilled in her a profound appreciation for storytelling, whether through song, dance, or dialogue.

The pivotal moment in Selena’s early career came when she decided to audition for “Barney & Friends,” a popular children’s TV show. The audition, held in Dallas, was a magnet for young talents from across the state, but Selena’s charisma and innate talent set her apart. Her successful inclusion in the show at just seven years old marked her first significant step into the world of professional entertainment, laying a foundational stone on her path to stardom.

During her time on “Barney & Friends,” Selena not only showcased her acting and singing abilities but also learned valuable lessons about the entertainment industry. The experience exposed her to the rigors of filming, the importance of teamwork, and the intricacies of audience engagement—skills that would prove crucial in her subsequent endeavors. Yet, it was her return to Texas after the show that underscored the formative influence of her home state in her career.

Texas, with its vibrant arts scene and community spirit, continued to play a crucial role in Selena’s development as an artist. She attended various auditions, participated in local events, and absorbed the eclectic musical influences of the region. From Tejano and country music to pop and rock, the diverse sounds of Texas provided a rich auditory palette from which Selena could draw as she began to explore her musical identity.

Her breakthrough came with the Disney Channel, where she was cast in the hit series “Wizards of Waverly Place.” This role catapulted her into international fame, but it was her Texan resilience and grounding that helped her navigate the complexities of life in the spotlight. Throughout her rise, Selena maintained a strong connection to her Texan roots, often speaking fondly of her upbringing and the values it instilled in her.

Selena Gomez’s early years in Texas are a testament to the profound impact of place and heritage in shaping an individual’s destiny. From the local theaters of Grand Prairie to the global stages she now commands, her journey reflects the essence of her Texan upbringing—resilience, diversity, and a boundless capacity for growth. As her career continues to evolve, Selena remains not just a star born of Texas, but a luminous reflection of the cultural tapestry that Texas represents, embodying its spirit and contributing to its legacy in the annals of entertainment history.

Selena’s narrative is more than just a story of fame; it’s a beacon for aspiring talents everywhere, demonstrating that with passion, perseverance, and a deep connection to one’s roots, the stars are truly within reach.

Cite this page

The Star is Born: Reflecting on Selena Gomez's Early Years in Texas. (2024, May 12). Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/the-star-is-born-reflecting-on-selena-gomezs-early-years-in-texas/

"The Star is Born: Reflecting on Selena Gomez's Early Years in Texas." PapersOwl.com , 12 May 2024, https://papersowl.com/examples/the-star-is-born-reflecting-on-selena-gomezs-early-years-in-texas/

PapersOwl.com. (2024). The Star is Born: Reflecting on Selena Gomez's Early Years in Texas . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/the-star-is-born-reflecting-on-selena-gomezs-early-years-in-texas/ [Accessed: 16 May. 2024]

"The Star is Born: Reflecting on Selena Gomez's Early Years in Texas." PapersOwl.com, May 12, 2024. Accessed May 16, 2024. https://papersowl.com/examples/the-star-is-born-reflecting-on-selena-gomezs-early-years-in-texas/

"The Star is Born: Reflecting on Selena Gomez's Early Years in Texas," PapersOwl.com , 12-May-2024. [Online]. Available: https://papersowl.com/examples/the-star-is-born-reflecting-on-selena-gomezs-early-years-in-texas/. [Accessed: 16-May-2024]

PapersOwl.com. (2024). The Star is Born: Reflecting on Selena Gomez's Early Years in Texas . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/the-star-is-born-reflecting-on-selena-gomezs-early-years-in-texas/ [Accessed: 16-May-2024]

Don't let plagiarism ruin your grade

Hire a writer to get a unique paper crafted to your needs.

Our writers will help you fix any mistakes and get an A+!

Please check your inbox.

You can order an original essay written according to your instructions.

Trusted by over 1 million students worldwide

1. Tell Us Your Requirements

2. Pick your perfect writer

3. Get Your Paper and Pay

Hi! I'm Amy, your personal assistant!

Don't know where to start? Give me your paper requirements and I connect you to an academic expert.

short deadlines

100% Plagiarism-Free

Certified writers

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.

More Profiles

Samuel L. Jackson - Biography

Enrique Iglesias - Biography

Madonna - Biography

Drew Barrymore - Biography

Coleen Rooney - Biography

Cara Delevingne - Biography

Jessica Chastain - Biography

Bruce Springsteen - Biography

Pope francis i - biography, louis tomlinson - biography, liam payne - biography, zayn malik - biography.

Home — Essay Samples — Life — Role Models — My Role Model: Selena Gomez

My Role Model: Selena Gomez

• Categories: Famous Person Role Models

About this sample

Words: 455 |

Published: Feb 8, 2022

Words: 455 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

Works Cited

• Selena Gomez. (n.d.). In IMDb. Retrieved Month Day, Year, from https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1411125/
• Biography.com Editors. (n.d.). Selena Gomez Biography. In Biography.com. Retrieved Month Day, Year, from https://www.biography.com/musician/selena-gomez
• Selena Gomez Official Website. (n.d.). Retrieved Month Day, Year, from https://www.selenagomez.com/
• Selena Gomez. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved Month Day, Year, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selena_Gomez
• Gans, A. (2015). Selena Gomez. In Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved Month Day, Year, from https://www.britannica.com/biography/Selena-Gomez
• Selena Gomez Biography. (n.d.). In Rolling Stone. Retrieved Month Day, Year, from https://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/selena-gomez/biography/
• Selena Gomez. (n.d.). In AllMusic. Retrieved Month Day, Year, from https://www.allmusic.com/artist/selena-gomez-mn0000933179
• Selena Gomez. (n.d.). In People. Retrieved Month Day, Year, from https://people.com/tag/selena-gomez/
• Selena Gomez Foundation. (n.d.). Retrieved Month Day, Year, from [insert URL]
• Selena Gomez: Singer, Actress, and Role Model. (n.d.). In Teen Vogue. Retrieved Month Day, Year, from https://www.teenvogue.com/tag/selena-gomez

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Verified writer

• Expert in: Life

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

1 pages / 673 words

4 pages / 1890 words

1 pages / 509 words

2 pages / 1077 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Role Models

Right before any big exams at high school, I usually spent fifteen minutes walking down the hallway, from the school yard to wherever the exam will be held. In the past years, I used to have the feeling of overwhelmed before [...]

Barbie, the iconic fashion doll created by Mattel, has captivated the hearts and minds of children for decades. Despite enduring criticism for promoting unrealistic beauty standards, Barbie can also be seen as a multifaceted [...]

From a young age, my sister has been my role model and my hero. She has always been there for me, offering support, guidance, and a listening ear when I needed it most. Through her actions and words, she has taught me valuable [...]

Role models play a crucial role in shaping the values, beliefs, and behaviors of individuals. They serve as sources of inspiration and guidance, influencing the way people perceive the world and their place in it. A good role [...]

A democratic government is a government of the people, or the people and by the people. In order for this to happen, both parties need to work together to it to be effective. This however requires communication. This is where [...]

The biggest percentage that needs a role model is the young people. Everyone needs a role model in his/her life, because these people can inspire others to be a better person. The group of people who need the most role model are [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

Selena Gomez on Immigration Crisis: ‘It Is a Human Issue, Affecting Real People, Dismantling Real Lives’

By Althea Legaspi

Althea Legaspi

Selena Gomez serves as an executive producer for Netflix ‘s Living Undocumented , which premieres on Wednesday, and her involvement in the project is a personal one. Ahead of the documentary series’ debut, the pop star penned an essay for Time  in which she opened up about her family and shared her thoughts on America’s immigration crisis.

Gomez said that her aunt came to the United States from Mexico “hidden in the back of a truck.” Her grandparents soon followed and her father was born in Texas. “In 1992, I was born a U.S. citizen thanks to their bravery and sacrifice. Over the past four decades, members of my family have worked hard to gain United States citizenship,” she wrote. “Undocumented immigration is an issue I think about every day, and I never forget how blessed I am to have been born in this country thanks to my family and the grace of circumstance.”

She noted that the headlines and debates around immigration caused her to feel “afraid for my country” and while the conversation surrounding it is often a political one, it goes beyond that. “It is a human issue, affecting real people, dismantling real lives,” she said. “How we deal with it speaks to our humanity, our empathy, our compassion. How we treat our fellow human beings defines who we are.”

In the essay, she acknowledged the need for rules and regulations, but added that “we have to remember that our country was formed by people who came here from other countries. It’s time to listen to the people whose lives are being directly affected by immigration policies,” she asserted. “It’s time to get to know the individuals whose complex stories have been reduced to basic headlines.”

Gomez explained that her involvement with Living Undocumented began in 2017. The docuseries features eight families in the U.S. who are facing possible deportation, and last month she met with three of the people appearing in Living Undocumented, each of whom are living in fear.

“I’m concerned about the way people are being treated in my country. As a Mexican-American woman I feel a responsibility to use my platform to be a voice for the people who are too afraid to speak,” she added. “And I hope that getting to know these eight families and their stories will inspire people to be more compassionate, and to learn more about immigration and form their own opinion.”

Read Selena Gomez’s full essay.

Travis Kelce Was 'Shocked' Ryan Murphy Gave Him Role in ‘Grotesquerie’

• By Emily Zemler

'Happy Gilmore' Sequel in the Works From Adam Sandler

• happy place
• By Daniel Kreps

'Furiosa' Isn't Just a Prequel to 'Fury Road' — It's a Perfect Origin-Story Saga

• CANNES MOVIE REVIEW
• By David Fear

'Wicked' Trailer: Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande Trade Insults, Invent Evil

• Which Witch Is Which
• By Kory Grow

'Dune: Prophecy' Trailer Explores Origins of Shadowy Bene Gesserit

• sisterhood above all

Most Popular

'mad max' director says 'there's no excuse' for tom hardy and charlize theron's 'fury road' set feud: tom 'had to be coaxed out of his trailer', sam rubin, longtime ktla entertainment reporter and anchor, dies at 64, near the giza pyramids, archaeologists identify a newly discovered ancient egyptian structure, melania trump confirms her son barron just made a total 180 once again with his future, you might also like, ‘girl with the pearl earring’ helmer peter webber to direct world war ii drama about family behind leica camera brand (exclusive), the 56 best gifts for wives who have everything to receive this mother’s day, the best yoga mats for any practice, according to instructors, ‘kinds of kindness’ and ‘poor things’ producers see hope for film resurgence, nfl playoff rematches, christmas games highlight 2024 schedule.

Rolling Stone is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2024 Rolling Stone, LLC. All rights reserved.

Verify it's you

Please log in.

Selena Gomez Shares Powerful Essay on Immigration Crisis

Read the disney alum's moving piece, published on tuesday.

Selena Gomez is speaking out about the ongoing immigration crisis in America.

The Disney alum has penned a powerful essay, published by Time on Tuesday, in which she reflects on her own family history. In the opening of her piece, Gomez writes that her aunt crossed the border from Mexico to the United States back in the '70s while "hidden in the back of a truck."

"My grandparents followed, and my father was born in Texas soon after. In 1992, I was born a U.S. citizen thanks to their bravery and sacrifice," the 27-year-old star shares. "Over the past four decades, members of my family have worked hard to gain United States citizenship. Undocumented immigration is an issue I think about every day, and I never forget how blessed I am to have been born in this country thanks to my family and the grace of circumstance."

But, as Gomez notes, when she reads the news headlines or witnesses debates about immigration, she feels "afraid for those in similar situations."

"I feel afraid for my country," Gomez writes.

"I don't claim to be an expert. I'm not a politician, I'm not a doctor, and I don't work in the system at all," Gomez later states. "I understand it's flawed and that we need rules and regulations, but we also have to remember that our country was formed by people who came here from other countries. It's time to listen to the people whose lives are being directly affected by immigration policies. It's time to get to know the individuals whose complex stories have been reduced to basic headlines."

Gomez goes on to discuss the Netflix documentary series Living Undocumented , which is she is executive producing.

"In 2017, I was approached about getting involved in a new documentary series called Living Undocumented that would shine a light on eight immigrant families in the U.S. from different countries and backgrounds, all facing possible deportation," Gomez writes. "I watched footage outlining their deeply personal journeys and I cried. It captured the shame, uncertainty, and fear I saw my own family struggle with. But it also captured the hope, optimism, and patriotism so many undocumented immigrants still hold in their hearts despite the hell they go through."

The "Who Says" singer also shares with readers that, last month, she met three of the young people that are featured in the series.

Trending Stories

Nfl responds to harrison butker's controversial graduation speech, sophie turner breaks silence on "shocking" joe jonas divorce fallout, why sophie turner “hated” being called one of the jonas brothers wives.

"I'm concerned about the way people are being treated in my country," Gomez writes. "As a Mexican-American woman I feel a responsibility to use my platform to be a voice for people who are too afraid to speak. And I hope that getting to know these eight families and their stories will inspire people to be more compassionate, and to learn more about immigration and form their own opinion."

"When I signed on to executive produce a show about undocumented immigrants, I couldn't help but anticipate the criticisms I might face," Gomez continues. "But the truth is, the worst criticism I can imagine is still nothing compared to what undocumented immigrants face every day. Fear shouldn't stop us from getting involved and educating ourselves on an issue that affects millions of people in our country. Fear didn't stop my aunt from getting into the back of that truck. And for that, I will always be grateful."

Living Undocumented will be available to stream on Netflix this Wednesday, Oct. 2.

Sister Wives Star Garrison Brown's Cause of Death Shared

Jason kelce fiercely reacts to daughter wyatt’s preschool crush.

Selena Gomez tackles family's immigration story in emotional essay

Singer and actress Selena Gomez has revealed that her aunt and grandparents had come to the United States from Mexico without documentation, writing “it [immigration] is a human issue, affecting real people, dismantling real lives.”

Ahead of the release of her new series “Living Undocumented,” Gomez penned in an emotional essay in Time Magazine that her aunt crossed the border hidden in the back of a truck in the 1970s. Her grandparents followed shortly thereafter, and her father was born in Texas. While Gomez was born a U.S. citizen, she said that undocumented immigration is constantly on her mind as she has watched members of her family work toward gaining U.S. citizenship.

“ Undocumented immigration is an issue I think about every day, and I never forget how blessed I am to have been born in this country thanks to my family and the grace of circumstance,” Gomez wrote. “But when I read the news headlines or see debates about immigration rage on social media … I feel afraid for my country.”

The singer said discussions surrounding immigration are often reduced to political debates, without regard to the people most affected by policy, which is why she signed on to executive produce “Living Undocumented.”

“It [immigration] is a human issue, affecting real people, dismantling real lives,” Gomez wrote. “How we treat our fellow human beings defines who we are.”

“Living Undocumented,” which premiered on Netflix on Wednesday, is a series that follows the lives of eight families residing in the U.S. without papers. In her opinion piece, Gomez introduces some of the main characters: a dreamer named Bari whose family left Israel when she was six months old to escape violence in Tel Aviv, and brothers Pablo and Camilo Dunoyer whose family fled Colombia in 2002 to seek asylum when their family was repeatedly threatened by narcoguerillas.

News Latino 'erasure' at a critical time? SNL's Julián Castro omission sparks criticism

All three of these people are living in fear and hiding, according to Gomez. After being detained by ICE and kept in a "cage" with other immigrants, Gomez wrote, Roberto Dunoyer, the brothers’ father, was deported to Colombia despite the narcoguerillas' threats.

“As a Mexican-American woman, I feel a responsibility to use my platform to be a voice for people who are too afraid to speak,” Gomez wrote. “And I hope that getting to know these eight families and their stories will inspire people to be more compassionate.”

Gomez, who has a significant following and was the first person to reach 100 million followers on Instagram, currently also executive produces the Netflix series, “13 Reasons Why.”

While she acknowledges that she doesn’t work in the immigration system and does see a need for rules and regulations, she urges others to educate themselves about the state of immigration in the U.S.

“Fear didn’t stop my aunt from getting into the back of that truck,” Gomez wrote. “And for that, I will always be grateful.”

Follow NBC Latino on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram

Gwen Aviles is a trending news and culture reporter for NBC News. 

• Manage Account

Selena Gomez Pens Poignant Essay on Immigrant Crisis

Selena Gomez is proud to come from a family of immigrants, and she shared her thoughts on the ongoing immigrant crisis in an essay published by Time on Tuesday (Oct. 1).

By Rania Aniftos

Rania Aniftos

• Share this article on Facebook
• Share this article on Twitter
• Share this article on Flipboard
• Share this article on Pinit
• + additional share options added
• Share this article on Reddit
• Share this article on Linkedin
• Share this article on Whatsapp
• Share this article on Email
• Print this article
• Share this article on Comment
• Share this article on Tumblr

Selena Gomez is proud to come from a family of immigrants, and she shared her thoughts on the ongoing immigrant crisis in an essay published by  Time  on Tuesday (Oct. 1).

In the piece, Gomez notes that her aunt and grandparents came to the United States from Mexico, and her father was born in Texas. “In 1992, I was born a U.S. citizen thanks to their bravery and sacrifice,” she wrote. “Over the past four decades, members of my family have worked hard to gain United States citizenship. Undocumented immigration is an issue I think about every day, and I never forget how blessed I am to have been born in this country thanks to my family and the grace of circumstance.”

Selena Gomez

See latest videos, charts and news

She added that reading the news lately and the anger around immigration makes her “feel afraid for my country.” Gomez then discusses immigration as a “human issue, affecting real people, dismantling real lives.”

Trending on Billboard

French montana speaks up for immigrants at 2019 mtv vmas: 'i want to be the voice'.

“I don’t claim to be an expert. I’m not a politician, I’m not a doctor, and I don’t work in the system at all,” she wrote. “I understand it’s flawed and that we need rules and regulations, but we also have to remember that our country was formed by people who came here from other countries. It’s time to listen to the people whose lives are being directly affected by immigration policies. It’s time to get to know the individuals whose complex stories have been reduced to basic headlines.”

Gomez then revealed that in 2017, she was asked to be a part of a documentary series called  Living Undocumented,  that would profile eight families in the U.S. who are facing deportation. She met three of the families last month. “I’m concerned about the way people are being treated in my country,” Gomez wrote. “As a Mexican-American woman I feel a responsibility to use my platform to be a voice for people who are too afraid to speak. And I hope that getting to know these eight families and their stories will inspire people to be more compassionate, and to learn more about immigration and form their own opinion.”

Living Undocumented  will be available Wednesday (Oct. 2) on Netflix. Read Gomez’s essay here.

Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox

Want to know what everyone in the music business is talking about?

Get in the know on.

Billboard is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2024 Billboard Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

optional screen reader

Charts expand charts menu.

• Billboard Hot 100™
• Billboard 200™
• Hits Of The World™
• TikTok Billboard Top 50
• Song Breaker
• Year-End Charts
• Decade-End Charts

Music Expand music menu

• R&B/Hip-Hop

Videos Expand videos menu

Culture expand culture menu, media expand media menu, business expand business menu.

• Business News
• Record Labels
• View All Pro

Pro Tools Expand pro-tools menu

• Songwriters & Producers
• Artist Index
• Royalty Calculator
• Market Watch
• Industry Events Calendar

Billboard Español Expand billboard-espanol menu

• Cultura y Entretenimiento

Get Up Anthems by Tres Expand get-up-anthems-by-tres menu

Honda music expand honda-music menu.

How will you prove that the drafts are original and unique?

Finished Papers

Customer Reviews