The daughter of a Mexican American father and an Italian mother, Selena Gomez
was brought up by her mother, from whom she also gained her interest in acting.
Gomez began her acting career at the age of seven, playing Gianna on TV series
Barney & Friends, and was then signed by the Disney Channel to feature in Hannah
Montana and other shows. After various TV appearances, including as Alex Russo
in Wizards of Waverly Place, Gomez made her recording debut singing Cruella De
Vil for a DisneyMania compilation album. She also recorded three tracks for the
soundtrack of the 2008 Another...