Selena Marie Gomez is an American actress, singer, producer, and businesswoman. She started her career as a child actress on Barney & Friends and became a teen idol for her role as Alex Russo on the Disney Channel sitcom Wizards of Waverly Place. Her parents named her after the late Latino singer Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, and she grew up listening to her music. As of December 2024, Gomez is engaged to Benny Blanco.