SerpApi.Org
From Disney Channel breakout to Grammy-nominated singer, Rare Beauty founder and newlywed, Selena Gomez has had quite the transformation. Here’s a look back.
Selena Gomez has been a mainstay of pop culture for well over a decade. When fans first met her, she was casting a magical spell on audiences as Alex Russo on the Disney Channel original series Wizards of Waverly Place. But since then, she has gone on to accomplish so much, from music to film to beauty to marriage. Now, we’re taking a look back at her transformation from Disney darling to superstar songstress.
It all started in 2007 when Selena skyrocketed to fame on Wizards of Waverly Place. She spent a number of years with Disney, contributing to themed albums featuring Disney stars and appearing on shows like The Suite Life on Deck and Hannah Montana. During her time at the House of Mouse, she also starred in kid-friendly films like Princess Protection Program, Ramona and Beezus and two Wizards of Waverly Place companion movies.
By the time Wizards wrapped in 2012, Selena was ready for a change and to prove that she was a mature performer who could take on heavier work. That same year, she appeared in Harmony Korine‘s film Spring Breakers alongside James Franco and her fellow Disney Channel alum Vanessa Hudgens. Although she only appeared in the first half of the film, Selena wholly proved that she was capable of more intense acting.
The rest of her career has seen the starlet appear in films like The Fundamentals of Caring, Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising, The Dead Don’t Die and, most notably, Emilia Pérez, which earned her a Golden Globe nomination in 2025. On the small screen, she has starred as Mabel Mora on Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building since 2021, working alongside Steve Martin and Martin Short.
Music has remained a huge part of Selena’s story. Her solo albums include 2013’s Stars Dance, 2015’s Revival and 2020’s Rare, followed by her collaborative 2025 album I Said I Love You First with music producer Benny Blanco. Much of Selena’s inspiration comes directly from her personal life, and the last few years have given her plenty of new material to draw from.
Her love story with Benny is the sweetest chapter yet. The two first crossed paths professionally on 2015’s “Same Old Love” and later on 2019’s “I Can’t Get Enough” before quietly starting to date in 2023. They announced their engagement in December 2024, and on September 27, 2025, they said “I do” in a romantic ceremony in Montecito, California. Selena wore Ralph Lauren, Benny wore a black tuxedo, and their star-studded guest list included Paris Hilton, Camila Cabello, Lily Collins, Amy Schumer and Selena’s Wizards of Waverly Place co-star Jennifer Stone.
Beyond the wedding, Selena has kept building her empire. Her cosmetics brand Rare Beauty, launched in 2020, has become one of the most successful celebrity beauty lines on the market, and her mental health advocacy through the Rare Impact Fund continues to shape the conversation around wellness in Hollywood.
Selena has come a long way from the little girl on Barney & Friends, and every era has been more remarkable than the last. To see more photos of her through the years, check out the gallery above.
