Selena Gomez in 2016.
Selena Marie Gomez is an American singer, songwriter and actress. She was first featured on the children's series Barney & Friends in the early 2000s. In 2007, Gomez came to prominence after being cast in the Disney Channel series Wizards of Waverly Place, in which she starred as the lead character, Alex Russo, until its conclusion in 2012. She formed the band Selena Gomez & the Scene after signing a recording contract with Hollywood Records in 2008; they released the studio albums “Kiss & Tell”, “A Year Without Rain”, and “When the Sun Goes Down” before entering a hiatus in 2012.
Gomez entered the film industry with star billings in feature films including Ramona and Beezus and Monte Carlo. She embraced an increasingly mature public image with her star billing in the film Spring Breakers and her 2013 debut solo studio album, “Stars Dance”. The latter project debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 and included the Billboard Hot 100 top-ten single “Come & Get It”. Gomez was released from her recording contract with Hollywood Records following the completion of her compilation album “For You”.
After parting ways with Hollywood Records, Selena Gomez didn't sign a record deal for another year and instead focused on writing lyrics and developing a new sound for her next album. In late 2015, Selena Gomez signed a record deal with Warner Music Group and its division Lava Records (back then - Egle Records). The singer instantly released a comeback single with Emma Roberts, titled “Selfish”. The single went number one after explosive promotion from both Selena Gomez and Emma Roberts. As of April, “Selfish” is certified 5 times Platinum and scored Selena Gomez two Grammy awards - Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals and Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals. Gomez also took home the award for Best New Artist, beating her fellow popstars Emma Roberts, Harry Styles and others.
Following the unexpected success of the collaborative single, Selena Gomez and Emma Roberts announced that they were going on a joint The Forever Your Lover Tour together. However, the tour completely underperformed as all of the dates failed to sell out because the ticket prices were too big. Eventually, the tour ended up getting completely cancelled.
Along with the single announcement in December 2015, Selena also announced the name of her new album, “Forever Yours”, and put it on pre-order. Although originally scheduled for January 17th release, the album was only released on February 20th. Right before the original release date, Selena Gomez announced that she and her label Lava Records had split ways with Warner Music. Shortly after, Selena inked a deal with Sony Music Entertainment.
Even though Selena didn't release the album on January 17th, she soon enough released the second single from “Forever Yours” - “Don't Be a Heartbreaker”. The second single received mixed opinions and reviews because of its sexual lyrical content. However, Selena was being bashed the most when she released a very raunchy and controversial video teaser, in which she is seen in the shower with her fiancee Theo James. Despite the hate and controversy, “Don't Be a Heartbreaker” went number one. In March 2016, during a radio interview in Japan, Selena Gomez revealed that she made a mistake when she released “Don't Be a Heartbreaker” as a single and that it ended up ruining the entire “Forever Yours” campaign.
On February 20th, Selena Gomez released “Forever Yours”, but completely ignored the album and barely promoted it. That's why the album failed to sell one million copies despite being the second most pre-ordered album at that time, behind Beyonce's “Black Ambition”. After the third single, “Bittersweet”, was released, the album finally crossed one million copies mark.
The Bittersweet Tour was a huge success for Selena Gomez and the era ended on a high note. Even though the final gross is unknown, the tour can be considered as successful. Gomez ended up not extending the tour and cancelling the international dates as the tour was supposed to visit other continents and not only North America. After the final date of The Bittersweet Tour, Gomez disappeared from the music scene.
In early April, Hits Daily Double reported that Selena's contract with Sony Music Entertainment had ended. According to their sources, Selena Gomez has been working hard on her next full-length release with Mattman & Robin for the past six months. The next album is reportedly set to be released in June or July.
Personal Life[]
Selena Gomez has been in a serious relationship with British actor and singer Theo James since late 2014. The couple got engaged in January 2016 and are planning to get married in May 2016. They purchased a house in Los Angeles in August 2015.
Gomez describes herself as “feminist, who is not afraid to express her mind and speak out on various, very important issues.” The singer has been involved in variety of different feminist movements, including the very impactful and famous VOGUE: The Body Issue, as she appeared on one of the covers completely naked and publicly supported her friend Rihanna during the infamous #NippleGate incident. Although she had been critized for showing her body, Selena Gomez has never apologized for it.
Selena Gomez is best friends with Emma Roberts, Taylor Swift, Rihanna and Lorde.
Forever Yours Era[]
Release date: February 20th, via Sony Music Entertainment
Singles[]
- Selfish (with Emma Roberts)
- #1 on Official Charts
- #1 on Radio, Global Smash
- 5,442,000 copies sold (5X Platinum)
- Don't Be A Heartbreaker
- #1 on Official Charts
- #10 on Radio
- 2,540,000 copies sold (2X Platinum)
- Bittersweet
- #6 on Official Charts
- 1,875,000 copies sold (1X Platinum)