Selena Gomez was born in 1992 in Texas.
Raised as an only child by her young mother, Selena has spoken of the hardship they faced: "I was frustrated that my parents weren't together, and never saw the light at the end of the tunnel where my mom was working hard to provide a better life for me."
Selena auditioned for Barney and Friends, and it was here that she met life-long friend
Demi Lovato. The actress later took on various supporting roles and commercials, before in 2007
starring in several episodes of the incredibly popular Disney show Hannah Montana.
That same year she filmed two new pilots. One,
Wizards of Waverly Place, was picked up and gained instant success. Selena became a star with tweens, and
she was soon compated to Hannah Montana star Miley Cyrus. Selena dated Jonas Brothers' star Nick Jonas and his music career soon sparked her own.
By 2009 she was working on her debut album with Hollywood Records, and announced the formation of her band Selena Gomez and The Scene.
SELENA GOMEZ ADMITS 'I LOST SIGHT OF WHO I WAS' The brunette beauty was still focusing on her acting career though, and soon took on one of the lead roles in hit children's film
Ramona and Beezus.
A fashion line, more TV and film productions, and a second album followed.
In 2011 Selena confirmed reports that she was dating Canadian singer Justin Bieber when the pair arrived at the Vanity Fair Oscars Party. The pair's relationship became a source of gossip and they were often followed by paparazzi.
After splitting in 2012 and then later reuniting, Selena began working on her debut album as a solo star. On it's release
Stars Dance went straight in at number one, her first album to do so.
Selena is a philanthropist and works closely with UNICEF. In 2009 at the age of 17 she became the youngest UNICEF ambasaador ever, working with the charity to bring awareness of Ghana and the conditions faced by young children there.