Wizards of Waverly Place (TV)
What Boys Want (film)
Ramona and Beezus (film)
Gomez began her acting career at age seven, playing Gianna on Barney & Friends. She said that she learned “everything” about how to act while on the show. Season 7 of Barney & Friends, when Selena Gomez was on the show, was held up for some time. Because of this, the episodes featuring Gomez did not air until she was in 5th grade. This resulted in some mild controversy/confusion as to whether she was on Barney in the 5th grade or the 1st grade. She later had minor roles in Game Over and the TV film Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial By Fire.
In 2004, Gomez was discovered by the Disney Channel in a nation wide scouting. She appeared as a guest star on The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and Hannah Montana before being cast in Wizards of Waverly Place as one of the main characters, Alex Russo. She also appears in the 2009 Disney Channel movie based on the show. The movie drew 11.4 million viewers for its premiere, which is currently Disney Channel’s second highest rated movie.
In 2008, Gomez appeared in Another Cinderella Story, the direct-to-DVD sequel to the 2004 Hilary Duff film, opposite Drew Seeley. In its January 2009 television debut on ABC Family, it drew 5.3 million viewers and was ranked as the month’s number one cable movie across all key demographics. She also had a minor voiceover role as one the Mayor’s ninety-six daughters in Horton Hears a Who! which released in March of that year. In April, Forbes listed Gomez as one of its “Eight Hot Kid Stars To Watch.”In October, she launched a production company, July Moon Productions, and teamed with XYZ Films to create star vehicles for her.
In 2009, she appeared in the Disney Channel movie, Princess Protection Program with Demi Lovato. The film drew 8.5 million viewers for its premiere, the fourth-highest for a Disney Channel Original Movie.
Music
In 2008, Gomez recorded a cover of “Cruella de Vil” for DisneyMania 6, three songs for the Another Cinderella Story soundtrack, and “Fly to Your Heart” for the animated film Tinker Bell. In July 2008, she signed a record deal with Hollywood Records.She also had a cameo in the Jonas Brothers music video for “Burning’ Up”. During an interview with MTV in August 2008, she said of her future music career:
I’m going to be in a band — no Selena Gomez stuff. I’m not going to be a solo artist. I think that I don’t want my name attached to it. I will be singing, and I’m learning drums and playing electric guitar.
In 2009, Gomez recorded “One and the Same” for Princess Protection Program as a duet with her co-star Demi Lovato, four songs for the Wizards of Waverly Place soundtrack, and “Whoa Oh!” with Forever the Sickest Kids. Gomez with her band, Selena Gomez & The Scene will release their debut studio album, Kiss & Tell on September 29, 2009. The album’s first single, “Falling Down” was released on August 21, 2009.