Why Do People Love Selena Gomez?
Selena Gomez is one of the most popular and beloved musicians and actresses of her generation. Since rising to fame as a teenager on the Disney Channel, she has built an impressive career in music, film, and television. Her down-to-earth personality combined with her immense talent make her extremely relatable and admired by fans around the world. Here’s an in-depth look at why Selena Gomez is so adored by millions.
Her Humble Beginnings Make Her Relatable
Part of Selena’s widespread appeal stems from her humble beginnings. She was born in 1992 in Grand Prairie, Texas and was raised by a single mother. As a child, she auditioned for Barney & Friends and got her first big break playing Gianna on the show from 2002-2004.
This ordinary upbringing in the suburbs of Texas makes Selena seem down-to-earth and approachable. Fans feel like they can relate to her background and that she understands the realities of everyday life. Her early days acting on Barney also connect her to millennials and Gen Z who grew up watching the show.
She’s Talented in Multiple Areas
While many celebrities focus on one area like music or acting, Selena excels at both from a young age. After getting her start on Barney & Friends, she landed the lead role of Alex Russo on Disney Channel’s Wizards of Waverly Place in 2007. The show became extremely popular and ran for four seasons, establishing Selena as a household name.
In 2008, she formed the pop band Selena Gomez & The Scene and released three hit albums. Her solo music career took off even further with 2013’s “Stars Dance” and mega-hits like “Come and Get It” and “Slow Down.” To date, she’s sold over 7 million albums and 22 million singles worldwide.
On the film side, Selena has starred in a wide range of movies from small indies like Spring Breakers to blockbusters like Neighbors 2. She’s received praise for her versatile acting abilities in both comedic and dramatic roles.
Her ability to succeed in both acting and music is impressive and rare. It shows her diversity as an entertainer and her ability to constantly take on new challenges.
She’s Open About Personal Struggles
One reason people identify with Selena is because she’s been very open about her personal struggles with conditions like depression, anxiety, and lupus.
In 2014, she entered rehab for her ongoing battle with lupus and emerged stronger. In 2017, she shared that she’d undergone a kidney transplant due to her lupus diagnosis.
Being transparent about these health issues helps fans going through similar situations feel less alone. It makes Selena seem real rather than portraying a perfect, untouchable celebrity image.
She’s also spoken candidly about taking breaks from social media for mental health reasons. In 2016, she told fans, “I’ve taken the last year off and [am] focusing on myself…I just needed to let my old self go.” This vulnerability resonates with followers who are also prioritizing their wellbeing.
She Uses Her Platform for Good
From a young age, Selena has focused on using her platform as an actress and musician to also do good in the world.
In 2009, she became the youngest UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador at age 17. She has worked with the organization to raise awareness of issues impacting children worldwide.
She launched the Selena Gomez Fund with the New York Community Trust to support a range of causes including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, LGBTQ+ rights, and mental health resources.
In 2020, she hosted the Stay At Home fundraiser concert on Instagram Live featuring stars like Jennifer Lopez and Matthew McConaughey. The event raised over $130,000 for relief efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fans admire Selena’s drive to help children, underserved communities, and people in need. It makes her seem like a good role model who cares about making a difference.
She’s Maintained Long-Term Friendships
In the fickle world of Hollywood, Selena has nurtured many of the same close friendships for over a decade. She grew up acting alongside Demi Lovato on Barney and says they will be “friends for life.” She’s also still best friends with her Wizards of Waverly Place co-stars like David Henrie.
In the music world, she maintains a close sister-like bond with Taylor Swift that fans adore. The two have supported each other through ups and downs in the industry which is atypical for competitive female pop stars.
Seeing Selena’s genuine long-term friendships suggests she’s a loyal, caring person. Fans value how she keeps her childhood and industry friends close rather than ditching them based on status.
She Embodies Confidence and Resilience
Over her two-decade career, Selena has grown into a strong, confident woman that fans find inspiring. After going through incredibly difficult health battles and heartbreaks in the public eye, she continues to thrive and persevere.
She told Billboard: “I’ve gone through a lot of medical issues, and I know that I can reach people who are going through similarly scary things. I want them to know that there is light at the end of the tunnel.”
The grace and poise she conducts herself with demonstrates resilience. She doesn’t let haters or media scrutiny phase her. Selena forges ahead on her own terms which serves as a source of empowerment for those looking to follow in her footsteps.
Conclusion: A Relatable, Compassionate Star
From her early Disney Channel days to her current status as a global pop sensation, Selena Gomez remains deeply admired because fans find her relatable, humble, generous, confident, and real. She has grown up in the spotlight but still maintains a down-to-earth sensibility that resonates with admirers worldwide.
Rather than let fame go to her head, she still prioritizes family, friendships, and using her platform to help people. Selena’s combination of extraordinary talent and empathy makes her a role model for millions. There’s a reason she’s one of the most-followed and beloved celebrities today. By staying true to herself, she continues to win over more and more hearts each day.
Selena Gomez’s Musical Eras
Selena Gomez has gone through several distinct musical eras characterized by different styles and genres:
- Teen pop era (2008-2010): With her band Selena Gomez & The Scene, she released catchy pop-rock songs geared toward the teen audience. Big hits included “Naturally”, “Who Says”, “Love You Like a Love Song”.
- Transition to dance/EDM pop (2010-2012): Selena experimented with more dance and club sounds on songs like “Come & Get It” and “Slow Down”, establishing herself as a more mature artist.
- Return to slower emotional tracks (2012-2014): She scaled back to emotive pop ballads like “The Heart Wants What It Wants” and “Same Old Love”, reflecting personal upheavals in her life.
- Revived passion for music (2015-2016): After taking a break from music, she returned re-energized with confident bangers like “Good for You”, “Hands to Myself”, and “Kill Em with Kindness.”
- Increased vulnerability (2017-2018): As Selena prioritized her health, her songs became more vulnerable like “It Ain’t Me”, “Bad Liar”, “Wolves”, and “Back to You.”
- Bilingual offerings (2020-now): Selena embraces her Hispanic roots releasing both English and Spanish songs like “De Una Vez”, “Baila Conmigo”, and “999”.
Highlights from Selena’s Acting Career
Selena Gomez has displayed impressive range as an actress in both comedic and dramatic roles. Some highlights include:
- Breakout role in Wizards of Waverly Place (2007-2012) – Her Disney Channel series established her as a household name.
- Spring Breakers (2012) – This indie film marked her transition into more mature content.
- Rudderless (2014) – Gomez held her own acting alongside Billy Crudup and Laurence Fishburne.
- The Dead Don’t Die (2019) – She showed her comedic chops in Jim Jarmusch’s zombie satire.
- The Fundamentals of Caring (2016) – Her chemistry with Paul Rudd charmed viewers in this Netflix original dramedy.
- A Rainy Day in New York (2019) – She was praised for her performance in Woody Allen’s romantic comedy.
Selena Gomez’s Business Endeavors
Beyond music and acting, Selena has exercised her entrepreneurial side by launching several business ventures:
Rare Beauty (2020)
- Vegan and cruelty-free makeup line created to celebrate one’s uniqueness.
Wondermind (2022)
- Mental health platform focused on providing affordable resources like podcasts and daily meditations.
HBO Max Cooking Show (TBA)
- She is filming an untitled cooking show where she will learn recipes from top chefs.
Rare Productions (2020)
- Film and TV production company focused on spotlighting diverse voices. Produced hit Hulu series Only Murders in the Building.
Serendipity Ice Cream (2021)
- A flavorful ice cream line released in partnership with Serendipity Brands.
Inside Selena Gomez’s Philanthropy Work
Selena dedicates immense time and effort to philanthropy work supporting various causes:
- Appointed UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador at age 17 – Works globally to aid children in poverty
- Raised $750,000 for flood victims in Peru via fundraising concert in 2011
- Helped raise $200 million for lupus research via Selena Gomez & The Scene Fund
- Created the Selena Gomez Fund via New York Community Trust to support a range of charities
- Sold limited edition products to benefit COVID-19 relief efforts – Raised $130,000
- Participated in the WE Day celebration to encourage youth community service
- Supports St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through donations and visits
- Advocates for racial justice, mental health awareness, and LGBTQ+ rights
Selena Gomez’s Impact on Fashion & Beauty
With her effortless style, Selena has become a modern fashion and beauty icon:
- Elevated casual wear like jeans, sweaters, dresses, and sneakers
- Made Coach handbags a popular “it” accessory especially for younger shoppers
- Inspired ’90s throwback beauty trends like brown lipstick and classic winged eyeliner
- Provided attainable beauty inspiration through her makeup brand Rare Beauty
- Became the face of luxury fashion houses like Louis Vuitton and Puma
- Popularized the messy updo hairstyle that’s trendy among Gen Z
- Frequently appears on Best Dressed lists for her mix of high-low pieces
- Models a body positive outlook – Embraces natural beauty and flaws
Frequently Asked Questions About Selena Gomez
Why is Selena Gomez so famous?
Selena Gomez is famous for her multifaceted career as an actress, singer, and producer. She first gained fame as a child star on Barney & Friends and the Disney Channel series Wizards of Waverly Place. Her music career took off in 2008 with Selena Gomez & The Scene. Today, she’s one of the most-followed people on Instagram with over 380 million followers.
What health conditions does Selena Gomez have?
Selena revealed in 2015 that she had been diagnosed with lupus, an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in tissues and organs. She underwent chemotherapy to treat the condition. In 2017, she shared that she’d received a kidney transplant due to further complications from lupus. Selena continues to be open about her health battles to raise lupus awareness.
Who has Selena Gomez dated?
Selena’s most high-profile relationship was with Justin Bieber from 2011-2014 with subsequent on-and-off reconciliations. She also dated The Weeknd briefly in 2017. More recently, she’s been linked to NBA player Jimmy Butler. But overall, Selena has kept her dating life very private outside of her public relationship with Bieber.
How did Selena Gomez get discovered?
Selena Gomez was discovered by Disney Channel scouts when she was 10 years old auditioning for Barney & Friends. After getting cast as Gianna on the show, she began auditioning for Disney Channel pilot episodes. She landed the lead role of Alex Russo in Wizards of Waverly Place which catapulted her career.
What movies did Selena Gomez play in?
Some notable Selena Gomez movies include:
- Another Cinderella Story
- Ramona and Beezus
- Monte Carlo
- Spring Breakers
- The Fundamentals of Caring
- The Dead Don’t Die
- A Rainy Day in New York
She often alternates between family films, indie movies, and edgier R-rated content.
What businesses does Selena Gomez own?
Selena owns the production company July Moon Productions which was later renamed to Rare Productions. She also launched her Rare Beauty makeup line in 2020. Other business ventures include her Serendipity ice cream partnership, her HBO Max cooking show, and the mental health platform Wondermind.
How did Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift become friends?
Selena and Taylor first met in 2008 when they were both dating a Jonas brother – Selena was dating Nick Jonas while Taylor dated Joe Jonas. They reconnected in 2009 and quickly bonded over having similar life experiences in the music industry. Both credit the other for being the kind of sincere friend one needs in the celebrity world.
How did Selena become one of the most followed people on Instagram?
Selena amassed over 380 million dedicated followers on Instagram through a mix of posting backstage music content, glamorous fashion photos, behind-the-scenes acting shots, engaging with fans, and being real about her struggles. Fans feel like she lets them into her world authentically while still maintaining some mystery.
Why did Selena take a break from social media?
At the height of her fame in 2016, Selena abruptly left social media citing mental health reasons. She shared that she was overwhelmed by the constant pressures of online negativity and wanted to focus on living in the moment. Selena continues to take periodic breaks from Instagram and Twitter when needed for self-care.