Unexpected facts about Selena Gomez
Selena Gomez is a remarkable individual who has attained global fame before reaching the age of 30. Born in Texas, she has made a name for herself as both an actress and a singer, leaving an indelible mark in the entertainment industry. From her highly-acclaimed roles in the Disney Channel show "Wizards of Waverly Place" to her recent success in the series "Only Murders in the Building" alongside Steve Martin and Martin Short, and not to forget her chart-topping hits like "Hands to Myself" and "Lose You to Love Me," Gomez has undoubtedly created a significant legacy. Below are five intriguing facts about her that you might not have known. This is prepared by SSP.
1. Inspiration from Selena Quintanilla
Selena Gomez derives her name from the iconic Texas singer Selena Quintanilla. Both of Gomez's parents were avid fans of the late superstar, who hailed from Corpus Christi, Texas. Born in 1992, three years before Quintanilla's tragic passing, Gomez revealed during an episode of her show "Selena + Chef" that she was named after Quintanilla due to her parents' deep admiration for her. She expressed her fascination and affinity for Selena Quintanilla, sharing that her real name was supposed to be Priscilla, but her dad insisted on naming her Selena.
Early in her career, Gomez had the extraordinary opportunity to meet the Quintanilla family, an experience she described as incredibly emotional in a 2016 radio interview.
2. Personal Favorite: "Lose You to Love Me"
In 2019, Gomez released the highly emotional pop ballad "Lose You to Love Me" as the lead single from her album "Rare." Co-written with her friend Julia Michaels and accomplished songwriters Justin Tranter, Mattias Larsson, and Robin Fredriksson, the song seemingly drew inspiration from her breakup with Justin Bieber. "Lose You to Love Me" soared to the top of the Billboard Hot 100, marking Gomez's first number-one hit. In 2022, she shared in an interview with Entertainment Tonight that this song holds a special place in her heart and is her favorite among her own discography.
Gomez described the song as deeply personal and a way for her to express her frustrations and complex emotions, while also finding closure and moving forward—a challenge she had experienced in the past.
3. Embracing Her Heritage
Spanish-speaking EP RevelaciónIn 2021, Gomez fulfilled a long-standing dream by releasing her debut Spanish-speaking EP, titled "Revelación," as a testament to her Hispanic roots. Gomez was fluent in Spanish until the age of seven, and this project held significant importance for her. During an interview with Zane Lowe, she expressed her immense pride in her heritage and her strong desire to create a Spanish music project. She remarked on the impact of Latin music in bringing people together amidst the division prevailing in the world.
Gomez co-wrote all but two of the seven songs on the EP, which received widespread acclaim. In fact, the EP earned Gomez her first nomination for Best Latin Pop Album at the 2022 Grammy Awards.
4. A Thoughtful Babysitter
Jessica Simpson's DaughterDespite her status as a global superstar, Selena Gomez always makes time to support and assist her fellow artists. This was evident when she volunteered to babysit Jessica Simpson's 10-year-old daughter, Maxwell. Maxwell, who is friends with one of Gomez's younger sisters, was taken by Gomez to her very first concert featuring Olivia Rodrigo.
Simpson expressed her gratitude to both Olivia Rodrigo and Selena Gomez during an Instagram Live in 2022, where she shared the heartwarming anecdote that Gomez had babysat Maxwell during the concert. It exemplifies the kind and caring nature of Gomez beyond her professional success.
5. Advocating for Mental Health
Rare Beauty InitiativeGomez has consistently emphasized the importance of mental health, having openly dealt with her own experiences of depression and anxiety that resulted from her battle with lupus. Her commitment to this cause is vividly portrayed in her 2022 documentary "My Mind & Me." To further support mental health awareness, Gomez founded Rare Beauty in 2020. The company, in alignment with her passion, donates one percent of all sales to the Rare Impact Fund, aiming to raise $100 million by 2030. The fund's objective is to expand mental health education and resources for young people worldwide.
Selena Gomez is not only a multifaceted entertainer who has left an indelible mark, but she is also a compassionate advocate for mental health awareness, using her platform to effect positive change.
