Everything you need to know about the multi-talented Selena Gomez

Selena Gomez is a force to be reckoned with. After starting out her incredible career on television, she quickly became one of the most popular pop stars on the planet, churning out hits like ‘Good For You’, ‘Back To You’ and ‘Hands To Myself’. But that’s not all the newly-engaged megastar has done…

Appearing in countless TV shows and films, including Only Murders In The Building and returning for a new series of Wizards Beyond Waverly Place in 2024, Selena has also launched her own makeup brand and starred in her own documentary. Selena made a triumphant return to music with her 2023 track ‘Single Soon’ and has even announced a new collaborative album with fiancé Benny Blanco, however in January 2024, she admitted she might retire after her next album. Here’s everything you need to know about Selena…

Who is Selena Gomez?

She needs little introduction! Selena Gomez is an award-winning American actress, singer, producer and businesswoman, born in Grand Prairie, Texas. In her own words, she is a “proud third-generation American-Mexican”, and she has two younger half-sisters and a younger stepbrother.

After starring in Barney & Friends as a young child, Selena bagged a starring role in Disney’s Wizards of Waverly Place, before branching out into the world of music with her band Selena Gomez & the Scene. Following the band’s hiatus, Selena launched an incredibly successful solo career, churning out hits such as ‘Come & Get It’, ‘The Heart Wants What It Wants’ and ‘Back To You’.

Selena has also dabbled in the world of production, having executively produced a number of series – even launching her own production company in 2008, at just 16-years-old.

How old is she?

Born on 22nd July 1992, Selena is now 32-years-old. A few days before her 32nd birthday, she took to social media to share a photo with her Only Murders In The Building co-stars Martin Short and Steve Martin.

The actress wrote: ‘Upon reflection I realize with my birthday coming up, 32. I am so grateful that I have been surrounded by human beings that make me better, challenge me, remind me day after day that every moment is a gift. That’s my pure joy. I thank god for the era I’m in. It’s been the best yet ‘.

How old was she when she started acting?

Selena first hit the small screen when she appeared as Gianna on Barney & Friends in 2002 – at this time, the young star was just 10-years-old.

Where is Selena from?

The star was born in Grand Prairie, Texas, to her father Ricardo Joel Gomez and her mother Mandy Teefey, who is a former stage actress.

Selena’s dad is of Mexican descent, and her mum has Italian ancestry. Proud to be a third-generation American-Mexican, she said of her heritage: “My family does have quinceañeras, and we go to the communion church. We do everything that’s Catholic, but we don’t really have anything traditional except go to the park and have barbecues on Sundays after church.”

Can she speak Spanish?

Kind of! As of 2018, Selena wasn’t fluent in Spanish, however given the years that have passed and her eagerness to learn, she may well be more familiar with the language now!

That being said, despite not being able to speak Spanish fluently – she can certainly sing in it! In 2021, she released her first Spanish-language project – an EP titled ‘Revelación’.

Is she engaged?

She most certainly is! On 12th December 2024, Selena announced the lovely news that she is engaged to Benny Blanco – showing off her gorgeous ring in doing so. Sharing images of her and Benny, her ring, and a sweet picnic set-up, Selena captioned her post: ‘forever begins now..’ (sic), with the post racking up 15 million likes in 12 hours.

When did she start dating Benny Blanco?

In December 2023, Selena went Instagram official with music producer Benny Blanco!

The ‘Calm Down’ singer uploaded a cosy snap to her Instagram Story on 7th December, which sent her fans into absolute meltdown.

When celebrity gossip account ‘popfactions’ shared a post which read: ‘#SelenaGomez seemingly confirms that’s she is in a relationship’, Selena herself actually commented!

She simply wrote: ‘Facts’, before going on to hit back at a comment from a user.

When a user wrote: ‘if you can’t handle the hate then stop posting pictures of your boyfriend lol – it should be special between you two only. don’t be mad at your fans. they love you’. (sic)

Selena was quick to hit back, seemingly confirming she’s been in a relationship with Benny for the last six months. She wrote: ‘Not mad. It’s been 6 months bb. I will always defend my friends family and fans till the day I die’.

Selena then seemingly confirmed the romance fully on Friday 15th December, uploading a number of photos to her Instagram page with the caption: ‘New York, my favorite moments w you this week ‘. (sic)

Within the set of photos, Selena posted a snap of herself and Benny kissing, leaving fans over the moon. Since then, the pair have been spotted on red carpets together.

Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco

© selenagomez Instagram

Over the months which passed since then, Selena and Benny opened up about their relationship. Speaking on The Howard Stern Show, in May 2024, Benny said that having kids was important to him, he explained: “That’s my next goal, to check the box. It’s always a topic of conversation to me every day.”

He also opened up about the possibility of proposing to Selena, saying: “I take everything a day at a time and I just know that when I look at her, I just say, ‘I don’t know a world where it could be better than this.’ That’s what I always say to her.”

In the same month, Selena also talked about having kids. When asked about Benny’s comments by TIME100, the singer said: “He can’t lie to save his life … If he’s asked a question, he’ll answer it.”

She explained that she would have kids anyway, even if she wasn’t with Benny, saying: “I was alone for five years, and I got really used to it.

“I probably tortured myself in my head for like two years being alone, and then I kind of accepted it. Then I came up with my plan, which was I was going to adopt at 35 if I had not met anyone.”

Selena Gomez’ health

The ‘Fetish’ singer has previously been open about being diagnosed with bipolar disorder and lupus. In 2015, Selena confirmed that she had been diagnosed with lupus, revealing that after canceling the last legs of her ‘Stars Dance Tour’, she entered rehab to undergo chemotherapy.