Selena Gomez- Actor with the singing itch

Like most teenagers, Selena Gomez too has confidence issues and confesses to have made mistakes. And this is surprising because she is Selena Gomez-- the American actor and singer-- who shot to fame because of Disney’s show, ‘Wizards of Waverly Place’. Her character, (Alex Russo) made fans worldwide with her smart and outgoing personality.

Gomez was born in Texas on 22 July 1992. Her mother was a stage actress. It was she who inspired Selena to pursue acting as a career. Selena appeared for the first time on the show ‘Barney and Friends’. She has been an actor since the age of seven. Even though she had been a part of two Disney shows earlier, it was ‘Wizards of Waverly Place’ that won her recognition and accolades. The show went on to win an Emmy for the Best Children’s Programme.

Though she is more of an actor, Selena formed a pop band called ‘Selena Gomez and The Scene’ (SGTS) in 2008 that comprises bassist Joey Clement, drummer Greg Garman, keyboardist Dane Forrest and guitarist Drew Taubenfield. SGTS has three studio albums, seven singles and nine music videos to its credit. Selena did not want herself to be the centre of attraction in the band and hence refused to sing solos. “I want to make music that is fun and that parents and kids can jump around to and have a good time,” she said in an interview.

The band’s debut album ‘Kiss and Tell’ had a distinct rock element to it and was released in September 2009. The song ‘I Won’t Apologise’ was co-written by Selena. The band played this album in a live concert and on various other television shows. ‘A Year Without Rain’ was, their second album was released a year later with similar indie and pop beats. 

Their third album ‘When The Sun Goes Down’ released in June 2011 features Selena’s most popular song, ‘Love You Like A Love Song’.  Her other commercially successful singles are ‘Falling Down’, ‘Naturally’, ‘Round & Round’, ‘Who Says’, ‘Hit The Lights’ and ‘We Own The Night’. Selena had announced that there would be no album releases in 2012 because she wanted to focus on her acting.

Her mother has always been the anchor in her life and unlike most teenagers who have ‘communication problems’ with their parents, Selena confesses that her mother is her best friend and that she takes her advice in every step of her life. “If I am not having fun-- if I am not enjoying it anymore-- she doesn’t want me to do it (acting).”

Selena is friends with singer Taylor Swift and idolises pop diva Britney Spears. In fact, Selena still preserves the tee shirt and glow sticks that she collected as memorabilia at a Britney concert when she was a teenager.

Her filmography includes ‘Monte Carlo’, ‘Another Cinderella Story’, ‘Princess Protection Programme’ and ‘Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie’. While her popularity on the music charts soared the US media branded her as the next Hannah Montana. This sparked controversy and fuelled rumours of competition between her and Montana.

Her being Justin Bieber’s girl friend made his female fans green with envy. The power couple dated for two years before breaking up because of their hectic work schedule. Incidentally, Selena sports a ring on her finger that says, ‘True Love Awaits’.

A self-proclaimed animal lover, Selena rescued six stray dogs that were caught and being taken for extermination when she adopted them.

She is the youngest UNICEF ambassador in the USA and has been a part of many welfare ventures.