Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Selena Gomez
How Selena Gomez built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Selena Gomez is an American actress, singer, and businesswoman. She began her acting career as a child on Barney & Friends before achieving teen idol status as Alex Russo in Disney's Wizards of Waverly Place. She later signed with Hollywood Records and fronted the band Selena Gomez & the Scene, releasing three albums between 2009 and 2011.
2002: Stripped by Christina Aguilera Inspired Revival Album
In 2002, Christina Aguilera's album Stripped inspired Revival album along with inspiration from Janet Jackson and Britney Spears.
2006: The Suite Life of Zack & Cody appearance in 2006
In 2006, Selena Gomez appeared in The Suite Life of Zack & Cody.
October 2008: Participation in St. Jude's Children's Hospital's 'Runway For Life' and named UNICEF spokesperson
In October 2008, Selena Gomez participated in St. Jude's Children's Hospital's 'Runway For Life' in Beverly Hills, which raised over $1 million. She was also named UNICEF's spokesperson for the Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF campaign.
2008: Raised over $700,000 for UNICEF
In 2008, Selena Gomez raised over $700,000 for UNICEF through the Trick-or-Treat campaign.
2008: Involvement in UR Votes Count campaign
In 2008, Selena Gomez was involved in the UR Votes Count campaign, which encouraged teenagers to learn more about the 2008 presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain.
August 2009: Became the youngest UNICEF ambassador
In August 2009, Selena Gomez, then 17 years old, became the youngest UNICEF ambassador, a record later surpassed by Millie Bobby Brown.
2009: Disney's Friends for Change Involvement
From 2009, Selena Gomez was involved in "Disney's Friends for Change", an organization which promoted environmentally-friendly behavior, and appeared in its public service announcements.
2009: UNICEF Ambassador
In 2009, Selena Gomez became a UNICEF ambassador and has played an active role in advocating for the world's "most vulnerable children" by participating in several campaigns, events, and initiatives on behalf of the organization.
2009: Ambassador of DoSomething
In 2009, Selena Gomez became the ambassador of DoSomething after being involved with the charity Island Dog, which helped dogs in Puerto Rico.
2009: Princess Protection Program in 2009
In 2009, Selena Gomez starred in Princess Protection Program.
2009: Spokesperson for UNICEF's Trick-or-Treat campaign
In 2009, Selena Gomez was named spokesperson for UNICEF's Trick-or-Treat campaign for the second year. She hoped to raise US$1 million for the charity.
2009: Sears Fashion Campaign and Borden Milk Spokesperson
In 2009, Selena Gomez was part of Sears's back-to-school fashion campaign and featured in television commercials. She hosted the "Sears Arrive Air Band Casting Call" and also became the spokesperson for Borden Milk, starring in print ads and television commercials for the brand.
2010: Spokesperson for 60th anniversary of Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF
In 2010, Selena Gomez returned as the UNICEF spokesperson for the 60th anniversary of the Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF campaign. With her help, UNICEF raised $4 million.
2010: Charity Concerts for UNICEF
In 2010, Selena Gomez started conducting charity concerts to help UNICEF provide children around the world with life-saving therapeutic foods, medicines, clean water, education, and immunization.
2010: Wax Figure at Madame Tussauds Wax Museums
Since 2010, a wax figure of Selena Gomez has been exhibited at Madame Tussauds Wax Museums in various locations, including Hollywood and New York City. Her wax figure was the first in Orlando.
February 2011: Traveled to Chile with UNICEF
In February 2011, Selena Gomez traveled to Chile to meet with families of the UNICEF-supported Programa Puente.
July 14, 2011: Selena Gomez Signs Fragrance Deal with Adrenalina
On July 14, 2011, Selena Gomez signed a license agreement with Adrenalina to develop, manufacture, and distribute her own fragrance. Ilia Lekach, Chairman and CEO of Adrenalina, expressed excitement about the collaboration.
April 2012: Ambassador to the Ryan Seacrest Foundation
In April 2012, Selena Gomez was named ambassador to the Ryan Seacrest Foundation.
May 2012: Fragrance Release
In May 2012 Selena Gomez's fragrance developed with Adrenalina, was released.
2013: Charity Concerts for UNICEF
By 2013, Selena Gomez had conducted and organized three charity concerts for UNICEF to help provide children around the world with life-saving therapeutic foods, medicines, clean water, education, and immunization. In total, Gomez's three charity concerts for UNICEF have raised nearly $400,000 for UNICEF programs worldwide.
2013: Vivamore Fragrance Release and Nail Polish Collection
In 2013, Selena Gomez released her second fragrance, Vivamore. Additionally, she created her own collection of nail polish colors for Nicole by OPI.
2013: Girl Rising and The Wizards Return: Alex vs. Alex in 2013
In 2013, Selena Gomez was involved in Girl Rising and The Wizards Return: Alex vs. Alex.
2013: Stars Dance album influenced by Britney Spears, Taylor Swift, and Skrillex
In 2013, Selena Gomez's debut solo album, Stars Dance, was significantly influenced by artists Britney Spears, Taylor Swift, and EDM producer Skrillex.
April 2014: Ended Management Arrangement
In April 2014, Selena Gomez ended her management arrangement with her mother and stepfather, signing with WME and Brillstein companies, signaling a shift towards more adult-oriented roles and moving away from her "Disney's Teen Idol" image.
November 2014: Released 'The Heart Wants What It Wants' and 'For You'
In November 2014, Selena Gomez surprise-released the single "The Heart Wants What It Wants", confirming a compilation album to fulfill her contract with Hollywood Records. Later that month, she released her first greatest hits album, For You, which debuted at number twenty-four on the US Billboard 200.
December 2014: Signed with Interscope Records
In December 2014, Selena Gomez officially parted ways with Hollywood Records and signed with Interscope Records.
February 2015: Collaboration with Zedd
In February 2015, Selena Gomez collaborated with Zedd on the song "I Want You to Know", which debuted at number seventeen in the US.
October 2015: Released 'Revival' album
In October 2015, Selena Gomez released her second studio album, Revival. The album debuted at number-one on the US Billboard 200 with first-week sales of 117,000 album units. It spawned the singles "Good for You", "Same Old Love", "Hands to Myself" and "Kill Em with Kindness".
2015: No New Album Since 2015
As of November 2018 Selena Gomez had not released a new album since 2015.
2015: Endorsement Deal with Pantene
In 2015, Selena Gomez signed a $3 million endorsement deal with Pantene.
2015: Chart-Topper Award at Billboard Women in Music
In 2015, Selena Gomez was honored with the Chart-Topper Award at the Billboard Women in Music event.
May 2016: Revival Tour Start
In May 2016, Selena Gomez embarked on her worldwide Revival Tour, focusing on her as an artist with less choreography and fewer effects than her previous tour. While touring, she began working on her third studio album and added a new song titled "Feel Me" to the setlist.
June 2016: Support for LGBTQ Community
In June 2016, Selena Gomez joined numerous celebrities to write a "love letter" during pride month, as a part of Billboard's 30 Days of Pride. She also collaborated with 23 other artists for the charity single "Hands", a tribute for the victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting, to raise funds for Equality Florida's Pulse Victims Fund, GLAAD, and the GLBT Community Center of Central Florida. That year, she donated proceeds of her Revival Tour concert in North Carolina to fight the state's recent legislation known as the "bathroom law".
June 2016: Release of The Fundamentals of Caring on Netflix
In June 2016, The Fundamentals of Caring, starring Selena Gomez, Paul Rudd, and Craig Roberts, was released on Netflix. It received a positive critical response.
August 2016: Revival Tour Cancellation
In August 2016, Selena Gomez canceled the European and South American legs of her Revival Tour due to anxiety, panic attacks, and depression caused by her lupus.
2016: The Fundamentals of Caring and Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising in 2016
In 2016, Selena Gomez appeared in The Fundamentals of Caring and Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising.
February 2017: Released 'It Ain't Me' with Kygo
In February 2017, Selena Gomez and Kygo released the single "It Ain't Me". The collaboration reached the top-ten of most major music charts worldwide.
March 2017: Premiere of '13 Reasons Why'
In March 2017, the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why, for which Selena Gomez served as an executive producer, premiered. The show drew criticism from mental health and suicide-prevention groups.
May 2017: Sales Statistics as of May 2017
As of May 2017, Selena Gomez had sold 24.3 million songs in the United States.
2017: Billboard Woman of the Year
Billboard named Selena Gomez the Woman of the Year in 2017.
2017: Collaboration with Coach and Puma
In 2017, Selena Gomez collaborated with Coach, becoming the face of the brand and launching the "Selena Grace" line of handbags and a ready-to-wear collection. She also signed a $30 million contract with Puma as a brand ambassador, appearing in campaigns for products like the Phenom Lux sneakers and launching the SG x PUMA Strong Girl collection.
2017: 13 Reasons Why production in 2017
In 2017, Selena Gomez executive produced the television series 13 Reasons Why.
2017: Repeal of North Carolina's "Bathroom Law"
In 2017, Selena Gomez's donated concert proceeds helped in the effort to repeal North Carolina's "bathroom law", which required people to use public restrooms in line with their birth gender unless they had fully transitioned.
2017: Partnership with Step Up
In 2017, during her partnership with Coach, Selena Gomez participated in activities with Step Up, an organization that supports girls in under-resourced communities to pursue an education.
May 2018: Released 'Back to You'
In May 2018, Selena Gomez released the single "Back to You", from the 13 Reasons Why Season 2 Soundtrack.
October 2019: Release of Living Undocumented Docuseries
In October 2019, Selena Gomez served as an executive producer for the Netflix docuseries Living Undocumented, which follows eight undocumented families in America.
2019: One of the 100 Most Successful Artists of the 2010s
In 2019, Billboard named Selena Gomez one of the 100 most successful artists of the 2010s, ranking her at number 38.
2019: The Dead Don't Die, A Rainy Day in New York, and Living Undocumented in 2019
In 2019, Selena Gomez appeared in The Dead Don't Die and A Rainy Day in New York, and executive produced Living Undocumented.
2019: Starred in 'The Dead Don't Die' and 'A Rainy Day in New York'
In 2019, Selena Gomez was part of the ensemble cast of The Dead Don't Die, which premiered at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival. That year, she also starred in Woody Allen's A Rainy Day in New York, donating her salary to the Time's Up initiative amid renewed attention to allegations against Allen.
January 2020: Released 'Rare' album
In January 2020, Selena Gomez released her third studio album, Rare. The album debuted atop the US charts, earning 112,000 album-equivalent units in its first week. It was supported by lead single "Lose You to Love Me" and the promotional single "Look at Her Now".
April 2020: Ownership and Investment in Serendipity
In April 2020, Selena Gomez became an owner and investor in the ice cream brand Serendipity.
April 2020: Released 'Boyfriend' with the deluxe edition of 'Rare'
In April 2020, Selena Gomez released the song "Boyfriend" with the deluxe edition of the album "Rare".
September 2020: Launch of Rare Beauty
In September 2020, Selena Gomez launched her own makeup and cosmetics brand, Rare Beauty, which promotes inclusivity and mental health initiatives.
2020: Creation of the Rare Impact Fund
In 2020, Selena Gomez created the Rare Impact Fund to help "young people gain access to mental health resources", which is committed to raise US$100 million over its first ten years since establishment.
March 2021: Release of 'Revelación' EP
In March 2021, Selena Gomez released her first Spanish-language project, an EP titled 'Revelación'. The EP, incorporating reggaeton and Latin pop with urbano elements, debuted at number twenty-two in the US and topped the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart. It marked a stylistic departure from her previous dance-pop sound.
May 2021: Participation in VAX Live Concert
In May 2021, Selena Gomez participated in the VAX Live: The Concert to Reunite the World concert organized by Global Citizen to promote the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines worldwide through the COVAX program.
June 2021: UNICEF Open Letter
In June 2021, Selena Gomez signed a UNICEF open letter urging the G7 to donate more coronavirus vaccines to the international COVAX initiative.
July 2021: Swimwear Line with La'Mariette
In July 2021, Selena Gomez released a swimwear line with La'Mariette.
August 2021: Premiere of 'Only Murders in the Building'
In August 2021, 'Only Murders in the Building,' starring Selena Gomez, Steve Martin, and Martin Short, premiered on Hulu. The mystery-comedy series set a record as Hulu's most-watched comedy premiere day, receiving critical acclaim.
2021: Only Murders in the Building production in 2021
In 2021, Selena Gomez appeared in Only Murders in the Building.
2021: Donations from Selena + Chef
In 2021, it was reported that over the first two seasons of Selena Gomez's show, Selena + Chef, $360,000 was raised for nonprofit organizations.
January 2022: Release of 'Hotel Transylvania: Transformania' on Amazon Prime Video
In January 2022, Selena Gomez reprised her voice role as Mavis and served as an executive producer for the animated film 'Hotel Transylvania: Transformania'. The film was released on Amazon Prime Video to mixed reviews.
May 2022: Mental Health Youth Action Forum at the White House
In May 2022, MTV partnered with Selena Gomez and the Rare Impact Fund by Rare Beauty to host the Mental Health Youth Action Forum at the White House in coordination with the Biden-Harris Administration.
May 2022: Cookware Line Collaboration with Our Place
In May 2022, Selena Gomez collaborated with Our Place on a cookware line called the Summer Collection.
May 2022: Donations to the Rare Impact Fund by Serendipity Brands
In May 2022, Serendipity Brands—which Selena Gomez is a co-owner and investor of—donated $1 from every ice cream pint and product sold to the Rare Impact Fund.
June 2022: Statement on Overturning of Roe v. Wade
In June 2022, Selena Gomez stated she is "not happy" about Roe v. Wade being overturned and that "men need to stand up and also speak against this issue."
December 2022: Donation to the ASCAP Foundation
In December 2022, Selena Gomez donated exclusive items to the 2nd Annual ASCAP Foundation, which supports music education and talent development programs across the US.
2022: Amassed 45 Billion Streams Globally
As of 2022, Selena Gomez had amassed 45 billion streams globally.
2022: Rare Beauty Sells $70 Million Worth of Liquid Blush
In 2022, Rare Beauty sold US$70 million worth of liquid blush, totaling over 3.1 million units.
2022: Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me in 2022
In 2022, Selena Gomez starred in Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me.
2022: Named Number One Positive Influencer on Social Media
In 2022, Selena Gomez was named as the number one positive influencer on social media.
June 2023: Second Edition of Cookware Line with Our Place
In June 2023, a second edition of Selena Gomez's cookware line with Our Place was released.
August 2023: Sales Statistics as of August 2023
As of August 2023, Selena Gomez had sold 3.6 million albums in the US, and shifted more than 11.5 million album-equivalent units.
October 2023: Signing of Artist4Ceasefire Letter
In October 2023, Selena Gomez signed an Artist4Ceasefire letter calling on President Joe Biden and Congress to call for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza.
2023: Calm Down wins Top Afrobeats Song at the Billboard Music Awards
In 2023, 'Calm Down' won the award for Top Afrobeats Song at the Billboard Music Awards. According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), it was the second best-selling song worldwide. It also received the MTV Video Music Award for Best Afrobeats.
2023: Participation in Los Angeles Pride Parade and Donations
In 2023, Selena Gomez and her cosmetics brand Rare Beauty, participated in the 53rd annual Los Angeles Pride Parade, as well as her Rare Impact Fund has been donating funds since the foundation for The Trevor Project and in 2023 for Trans Lifeline who focus on LGBTQ+ youth.
January 2024: Gomez expresses preference for acting, hints at one more album
In January 2024, Selena Gomez admitted to having a preference for acting over music and mentioned having "one more album in me". She clarified that "music isn't going away" and that she had "just set it down for a second".
May 1, 2024: Rare Beauty Summit dedicated to mental health awareness
On May 1, 2024, Selena Gomez held a special event dedicated to mental health awareness Rare Beauty Summit, where she also offered resources to solve mental health problems, the U.S. Surgeon General Vice Admiral Vivek Murthy joined her at this event, he thanked Gomez for creating the Rare Impact Fund and for paving the way for self-acceptance, support and healing.
May 2024: Rare Beauty Valued at $2 Billion
As of May 2024, the brand Rare Beauty is valued at $2 billion.
September 2024: Most-Followed Woman Globally on Social Media
As of September 2024, Selena Gomez is the most-followed woman globally on social media.
September 2024: Rare Impact Fund Update
As of September 2024, the Rare Impact Fund has raised over $16 million since 2020, and distributed grants to support 26 mental health-focused organizations across five continents.
September 2024: Selena Gomez Becomes a Billionaire
In September 2024, it was reported that Selena Gomez had become a billionaire, with an estimated net worth of $1.3 billion, with roughly 81% originating from Rare Beauty. She is considered one of the youngest female self-made billionaires.
October 2024: Release of 'Louder: The Soundtrack of Change' and premiere of 'Wizards Beyond Waverly Place'
In October 2024, Selena Gomez co-produced and appeared in the documentary 'Louder: The Soundtrack of Change', released on HBO Max. She also guest-starred and reprised her role as Alex Russo in 'Wizards Beyond Waverly Place', which premiered on Disney Channel and Disney+.
2024: Emilia Pérez and Wizards Beyond Waverly Place in 2024
In 2024, Selena Gomez appeared in Emilia Pérez and Wizards Beyond Waverly Place.
2024: Starring in 'Emilia Pérez' and winning Best Actress Award at Cannes Film Festival
In 2024, Selena Gomez starred in Jacques Audiard's Spanish-language musical crime film 'Emilia Pérez', portraying Jessi. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, where Gomez and her co-stars jointly won the Best Actress Award.
January 2025: Response to Southern California Wildfires
In January 2025, Selena Gomez volunteered to help distribute basic necessities during the 2025 Southern California wildfires to those who were displaced by the tragedy, and also, together with her brand Rare Beauty, made donation to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation and World Central Kitchen, who are on the ground providing immediate aid. Gomez also sent all proceeds from sales of all products to fight 2025 Southern California wildfires.
February 2025: Collaboration with Benny Blanco "Talk" Previewed in Apple Ad
In February 2025, Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco's collaboration "Talk" was previewed as the soundtrack to an Apple advertisement for the iPhone 16e.
March 2025: Release of 'I Said I Love You First' and 'Scared of Loving You'
In March 2025, Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco released the collaborative album 'I Said I Love You First', which also marked her fourth studio album, preceded by the promotional single "Scared of Loving You".
2025: Latin Woman of the Year and Included in "Top 100 Women Artists of the 21st Century" List
In 2025, Billboard named Selena Gomez the Latin Woman of the Year and ranked her at number 30 on the magazine's "Top 100 Women Artists of the 21st Century" list.
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