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, songwriter, businesswoman, and producer. She started her career as a child actress on Barney & Friends and gained prominence as Alex Russo in Disney's Wizards of Waverly Place. She signed with Hollywood Records in 2008 and formed Selena Gomez & the Scene, releasing three albums between 2009 and 2011.
2008: Dated Nick Jonas and appeared in "Burnin' Up" music video
In 2008, Selena Gomez dated singer Nick Jonas from the Jonas Brothers and appeared in the music video for the band's song "Burnin' Up", marking an early romantic relationship and musical collaboration.
2008: Named spokesperson for Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF
In 2008, Selena Gomez was named spokesperson for Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF.
September 2009: Appointed UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador
In September 2009, Selena Gomez was appointed as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, becoming the organization's youngest ambassador at the time.
2009: Became an ambassador for DoSomething and contributed to Disney's Friends for Change
In 2009, Selena Gomez became an ambassador for DoSomething, and also contributed to Disney's Friends for Change environmental campaign, including the charity single "Send It On" with Demi Lovato, Miley Cyrus, and the Jonas Brothers.
2010: Benefit concert marking the campaign's 60th anniversary
In 2010, Selena Gomez conducted a benefit concert marking Trick-or-Treat campaign's 60th anniversary and from 2010 to 2013, she conducted three Acoustic Charity Concerts benefiting UNICEF.
2011: Visit to Chile for UNICEF-supported initiative
In 2011, Selena Gomez visited Chile, where she observed the UNICEF-supported Programa Puente initiative, and supported the UNICEF Tap Project in 2011.
2011: Citing Shia LaBeouf's career transition as a model
In a 2011 interview, Selena Gomez cited Shia LaBeouf's career transition from Disney Channel star to film actor in adulthood as a model she hoped to emulate.
2012: Became an ambassador for the Ryan Seacrest Foundation
In 2012, Selena Gomez became an ambassador for the Ryan Seacrest Foundation, supporting the establishment of multimedia centers in children's hospitals.
2012: Supporting Sound the Alarm campaign
In 2012, Selena Gomez supported UNICEF campaigns including Sound the Alarm, which raised awareness of malnutrition in the Sahel region.
2013: Received the Chris Greicius Celebrity Award from Make-A-Wish Foundation
By 2013, Selena Gomez had granted more than 90 wishes through her work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and received the organization's Chris Greicius Celebrity Award.
2013: Acoustic Charity Concerts benefiting UNICEF
From 2010 to 2013, Selena Gomez conducted three Acoustic Charity Concerts benefiting UNICEF, which collectively raised nearly US$400,000 for programs supporting nutrition, clean water, medicine, and education.
2014: Ultimate Choice Award at the Teen Choice Awards
In 2014, Selena Gomez received the Ultimate Choice Award at the Teen Choice Awards, marking a significant achievement in her career.
October 2015: Release of Revival Album
In October 2015, Selena Gomez released her second studio album, Revival. The album, a dance-pop and electropop record with R&B influences, was well-received by critics and debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200. It was supported by the singles "Good for You", "Same Old Love", "Hands to Myself" and "Kill Em with Kindness".
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, recognizing her success in the music industry.
May 2016: Start of Revival Tour
In May 2016, Selena Gomez embarked on her worldwide Revival Tour. During the tour, she began working on her third studio album and added a new song titled "Feel Me" to the tour's setlist.
June 2016: Release of The Fundamentals of Caring on Netflix
In June 2016, Selena Gomez starred as Dot in the comedy-drama The Fundamentals of Caring, alongside Paul Rudd. The film, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, was released on Netflix in June 2016 and received positive reviews.
2016: Collaborated on charity single "Hands" and supported Lupus Research Alliance
Following the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting, Selena Gomez collaborated with other artists on the charity single "Hands" to raise funds for Equality Florida's Pulse Victims Fund, GLAAD, and the LGBT Community Center of Central Florida. That same year, she supported the Lupus Research Alliance by donating a portion of ticket sales from her Revival Tour.
2016: Named to Forbes 30 Under 30
In 2016, Selena Gomez was named to Forbes 30 Under 30, acknowledging her accomplishments and potential as a young leader.
February 2017: Release of "It Ain't Me" with Kygo
In February 2017, Selena Gomez and Norwegian DJ Kygo released the single "It Ain't Me". The collaboration reached the top ten on most major music charts worldwide.
March 2017: Premiere of 13 Reasons Why
In March 2017, the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why, on which Selena Gomez served as an executive producer, premiered. The series is an adaptation of Jay Asher's novel.
2017: Established the Selena Gomez Fund for Lupus Research and partnered with the Coach Foundation
In 2017, Selena Gomez partnered with the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California to establish the Selena Gomez Fund for Lupus Research, and also partnered with the Coach Foundation in its support of Step Up.
2017: Woman of the Year at Billboard Women in Music
In 2017, Selena Gomez was named Woman of the Year at the Billboard Women in Music event, solidifying her impact and influence in music.
May 2018: Release of "Back to You"
In May 2018, Selena Gomez released the single "Back to You" from the soundtrack to the second season of 13 Reasons Why.
2018: Volunteering with A21
In 2018, Selena Gomez revealed that she had been volunteering with A21, an anti-human trafficking organization.
2018: Most-Watched Streaming Series
In 2018, the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why, for which Selena Gomez served as an executive producer, was the most-watched original streaming series.
October 2019: Release of Living Undocumented
In October 2019, Selena Gomez served as an executive producer for the Netflix docuseries Living Undocumented, which follows eight undocumented families in the US.
2019: Featured Appearances on Singles
In 2019, Selena Gomez appeared on Julia Michaels's "Anxiety", and "I Can't Get Enough" with Benny Blanco, Tainy and J Balvin.
2019: Starring in The Dead Don't Die and A Rainy Day in New York
In 2019, Selena Gomez starred in Jim Jarmusch's comedy horror The Dead Don't Die, which premiered at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival, and Woody Allen's romantic comedy A Rainy Day in New York. Gomez donated over $1 million from her salary of A Rainy Day in New York to the Time's Up initiative.
January 2020: Release of Rare Album
In January 2020, Selena Gomez released her third studio album, Rare. The album debuted atop the Billboard 200 and was supported by the lead single "Lose You to Love Me", followed by the promotional single "Look at Her Now".
June 2020: Conclusion of 13 Reasons Why
In June 2020, 13 Reasons Why, the Netflix series where Selena Gomez was an executive producer, concluded after four seasons.
June 2020: Launched the Black Equality Fund
In June 2020, Selena Gomez partnered with PLUS1 to launch the Black Equality Fund, directing proceeds to organizations supporting racial justice.
2020: Honored as Leading Lady of Entertainment and recipient of Arts Award
In 2020, Selena Gomez was honored by the Latin Recording Academy as one of the Leading Ladies of Entertainment and received the Arts Award from the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, recognizing her contributions to entertainment and the arts.
2020: Included on Time's 100 Most Influential People list
In 2020, Time included Selena Gomez on its annual list of the 100 most influential people, recognizing her widespread impact and influence.
March 2021: Release of Revelación EP
In March 2021, Selena Gomez released her first Spanish-language project, an EP titled Revelación. It debuted at number twenty-two in the US and atop the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart.
August 2021: Premiere of Only Murders in the Building
In August 2021, Selena Gomez starred in and executive produced the mystery-comedy series Only Murders in the Building alongside Steve Martin and Martin Short. The series premiered and set a record as Hulu's most-watched comedy premiere day.
2021: Supporting UNICEF fundraising and vaccine donations
During the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2021, Selena Gomez participated in a collective UNICEF fundraising effort supporting vaccination initiatives, and was among public figures who signed an open letter urging the G7 nations to increase vaccine donations to the COVAX initiative.
August 2022: Featured on "Calm Down" remix
In August 2022, Selena Gomez was featured on the remix of Rema's single "Calm Down".
2023: "Calm Down" success and awards
In 2023, Selena Gomez's feature on Rema's "Calm Down" remix achieved international success, becoming the second best-selling song worldwide according to the IFPI and receiving a Top Afrobeats Song award at the Billboard Music Awards, and Best Afrobeats at the MTV Video Music Awards.
2023: Hosting the annual Rare Impact Fund Benefit
Since 2023, Selena Gomez has hosted the annual Rare Impact Fund Benefit.
January 2024: Gomez discusses acting preference and future music plans
In January 2024, Selena Gomez expressed a preference for acting over music, mentioning having "one more album in me" but clarified that "music isn't going away."
October 2024: Release of Louder: The Soundtrack of Change and Wizards Beyond Waverly Place premiere
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 in Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, reprising her role as Alex Russo, and served as an executive producer. The series premiered on Disney Channel and Disney+.
2024: Accepting Spotlight Award and discussing acting preferences
In 2024, Selena Gomez accepted the Spotlight Award at the IndieWire honors, expressing her preference for working with auteur filmmakers and taking on unconventional supporting roles.
2024: Starring in Emilia Pérez and Award
In 2024, Selena Gomez starred in Jacques Audiard's Emilia Pérez, premiering at the Cannes Film Festival, where Gomez and her co-stars won the Best Actress Award. She also received nominations for the BAFTA Award and Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress.
2024: Appointed Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres and recipient of Equity in Entertainment Award
In 2024, Selena Gomez was appointed Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Minister of Culture and received the Equity in Entertainment Award at The Hollywood Reporter's Women in Entertainment gala, acknowledging her contributions to arts and entertainment and her advocacy for equity.
March 2025: Release of I Said I Love You First album
In March 2025, Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco released the collaborative album I Said I Love You First, which debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 and marked the largest sales week of her career. Three singles were released in support of the album: "Call Me When You Break Up" with Gracie Abrams, "Sunset Blvd", and "Ojos Tristes" with The Marías.
2025: Latin Woman of the Year at Billboard Latin Women in Music
In 2025, Selena Gomez received the Latin Woman of the Year award at the Billboard Latin Women in Music event, celebrating her contributions to Latin music.
April 2026: Rare Impact Fund raised more than US$30 million
By April 2026, Selena Gomez's Rare Impact Fund had raised more than US$30 million to expand access to youth mental health services and education.
2026: Wizards Beyond Waverly Place to conclude
In the Summer of 2026, it was announced that Wizards Beyond Waverly Place will conclude with a third and final season, and that Selena Gomez will make her directorial debut with the season premiere.
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