SeLena Gomez

Selena Gomez
Biography

Selena Marie Gomez (born July 22, 1992 in Grand Prairie, Texas) is an American actress and singer, best known for her portrayal of Alex Russo on the Disney Channel series, Wizards of Waverly Place. She has starred in the television movies, Another Cinderella Story and Princess Protection Program. Before Disney, she had a recurring role on Barney & Friends. In 2008, she signed a record deal with Hollywood Records and contributed to the Tinker Bell, Another Cinderella Story and Wizards of Waverly Place soundtracks. Her debut studio album with her band Selena Gomez & The Scene, Kiss & Tell, will be released in September 2009.

Gomez, an only child, was born in Grand Prairie, Texas to Ricardo Gomez and Mandy Teefy (née Cornett), a former stage actress who was 16 when she gave birth to Gomez. Her birth parents separated when she was five years old; her mother remarried in 2006 to Brian Teefy. Gomez was named after singer Selena. Her father is Mexican and her mother is of Italian descent.

In 2008, Gomez recorded a cover of “Cruella de Vil” for DisneyMania 6, three songs for the Another Cinderella Story soundtrack, and “Fly to Your Heart” for the animated film Tinker Bell. In July 2008, she signed a record deal with Hollywood Records. She also had a cameo in the Jonas Brothers music video for “Burnin’ Up”. During an interview with MTV in August 2008, she said of her future music career:

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 will be singing, and I’m learning drums and playing electric guitar.

In 2009, Gomez recorded “One and the Same” for Princess Protection Program as a duet with her co-star Demi Lovato, four songs for the Wizards of Waverly Place soundtrack, and “Whoa Oh!” with Forever the Sickest Kids. Gomez’s debut studio album, Kiss & Tell will be released in September 2009. The album’s first single, “Falling Down” was released on August 21, 2009.