Childhood and Education Journey of Selena Gomez in Timeline

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Selena Gomez. From birth to education, explore key events.

Selena Gomez is an American actress, singer, songwriter, producer, and businesswoman. She started as a child actress on 'Barney & Friends' before gaining prominence as Alex Russo in Disney's 'Wizards of Waverly Place.' She signed with Hollywood Records in 2008 and fronted the band Selena Gomez & the Scene, releasing three albums: 'Kiss & Tell,' 'A Year Without Rain,' and 'When the Sun Goes Down.'

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

1992: Resurgence of Woody Allen Allegations

In 2019, due to a resurgence of the 1992 sexual abuse allegation against Woody Allen prompted by the MeToo movement, Gomez donated over $1 million, exceeding her salary from the film A Rainy Day in New York, to the Time's Up initiative.

2005: Purity Ring

In 2005, at age 13, Selena Gomez wanted a purity ring, and her father had it blessed at church.

October 2008: Participation in St. Jude's "Runway For Life" and 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. That same month, she was named UNICEF's spokesperson for the Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF 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 presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain.

August 2009: Youngest UNICEF Ambassador

In August 2009, Selena Gomez, then 17 years old, became the youngest UNICEF ambassador.

September 2009: Field Mission to Ghana

In September 2009, Selena Gomez traveled to Ghana for one week as part of her role as a UNICEF ambassador to witness the conditions of vulnerable children.

2009: Involvement in Disney's Friends for Change

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. Gomez, Demi Lovato, Miley Cyrus, and the Jonas Brothers recorded the charity single "Send It On".

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2009: Ambassador of DoSomething and Involvement with RAISE Hope For Congo

In 2009, Selena Gomez became the ambassador of DoSomething after being involved with the charity Island Dog. Also in 2009, she became involved with the charity RAISE Hope For Congo, an initiative of the Enough Project.

2010: Stopped wearing ring

In 2010, Selena Gomez stopped wearing the purity ring.

April 2012: Named ambassador to the Ryan Seacrest Foundation

In April 2012, Selena Gomez was named ambassador to the Ryan Seacrest Foundation.

2012: Lupus Diagnosis

Sometime between 2012 and early 2014, Selena Gomez was diagnosed with lupus.

January 2014: Rehabilitation at Dawn at The Meadows

In January 2014, it was reported that Selena Gomez had spent two weeks at Dawn at The Meadows, a treatment center in Wickenburg, Arizona, specializing in treating addiction and trauma in young people. Her representative stated she was there voluntarily, but not for substance abuse.

2014: Listened to Oceans

In 2014, Selena Gomez said that she listened to "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)" by Hillsong United before performing at the 2014 American Music Awards.

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2014: Sale of Tarzana Mansion

In 2014, Selena Gomez sold her mansion in Tarzana, Los Angeles for $3.5 million.

2014: Comments on the 2014 Gaza War

In 2014, Selena Gomez spoke out about the 2014 Gaza War, posting a message on her social media in which she asked for help and prayers for Gaza.

2014: Lupus Diagnosis

Sometime between 2012 and early 2014, Selena Gomez was diagnosed with lupus.

2015: Diagnosis of Lupus and Chemotherapy

In 2015, Selena Gomez confirmed that she had been diagnosed with lupus and that after canceling the tour in 2013, she entered rehab to undergo chemotherapy.

2015: Purchase of Fort Worth Mansion

In 2015, Selena Gomez purchased a mansion in Fort Worth, Texas, for $3.5 million.

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.

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August 2016: Cancellation of European and South America Legs of Revival Tour

In August 2016, Selena Gomez canceled the European and South America legs of her Revival Tour due to anxiety, panic attacks and depression caused by her lupus.

2016: Rehab and American Music Awards

Following the cancellation of her tour, Selena Gomez rechecked into rehab to focus on her mental health and was noticeably absent from social media. At the 2016 American Music Awards, she was nominated for Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist and Artist of the Year, the first of which she won.

2016: Hillsong Young & Free Concert

In 2016, Selena Gomez appeared at a Hillsong Young & Free concert in Los Angeles, leading worship by singing her song "Nobody".

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September 2017: Kidney Transplant Revelation

In September 2017, Selena Gomez revealed on Instagram that she had received a kidney transplant from actress and friend Francia Raisa after withdrawing from public events.

2017: Views on Religion

In 2017, Selena Gomez said she did not like the term "religion" and began to worship at Hillsong Church in Los Angeles.

2017: Partnership with Coach and 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.

October 2018: Sale of Fort Worth Mansion

In October 2018, Selena Gomez sold her mansion in Fort Worth, Texas, for $3.5 million.

2018: Attendance at We Day California

In 2018, Selena Gomez attended the We Day California youth empowerment event in Los Angeles and introduced Nellie Mainor, a young fan with a rare kidney disease.

2018: Psychosis Episode

In November 2022, Selena Gomez revealed that she had an episode of psychosis in 2018.

May 2019: Advocacy for Abortion Rights

In May 2019, Selena Gomez spoke out on Instagram in favor of abortion rights in the United States following the Alabama abortion ban.

December 2019: Visit to Kenya with WE Charity

In December 2019, Selena Gomez continued her partnership with WE Charity by traveling to Kenya to meet the local community and visit schools built by the organization.

April 2020: Bipolar Disorder Revelation

In April 2020, Selena Gomez revealed that she has bipolar disorder.

June 2020: Support for Black Lives Matter

In June 2020, Selena Gomez supported the Black Lives Matter movement, lending her Instagram account to Alicia Garza.

2020: Move to Encino Mansion

In 2020, Selena Gomez moved to a $5 million mansion in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Encino and sold her house in Studio City, Los Angeles for $2.3 million.

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.

June 2021: Signed 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."

2021: Christian faith and The Purpose Driven Life

In 2021, Selena Gomez claimed to maintain her Christian faith and having read three times the book The Purpose Driven Life by Baptist Christian pastor Rick Warren.

The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For?

Check it on Amazon

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.

June 2022: Response to Roe v. Wade Overturn

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.

October 2022: COVID-19 Diagnosis

In October 2022, Selena Gomez canceled an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon after testing positive for COVID-19.

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November 2022: Psychosis Episode

In November 2022, Selena Gomez revealed that she had an episode of psychosis in 2018.

2023: Participation in Los Angeles Pride Parade

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: Statements on Music Career and Release of "Love On"

In January 2024, Selena Gomez stated that she prefers acting over music and feels she only has "one more album in me", later retracting this statement. In February, she released the standalone single "Love On", which debuted within the top 60 in the US, and the top 70 on the Global 200 chart.

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April 2024: Time 100 Summit Participation

In April 2024, Selena Gomez participated as one of the speakers at the Time 100 Summit, discussing mental health protection and social media.

May 1, 2024: Rare Beauty Summit

On May 1, 2024, Selena Gomez held a special event dedicated to mental health awareness called the Rare Beauty Summit, offering resources to solve mental health problems. The U.S. Surgeon General Vice Admiral Vivek Murthy joined her at this event.