Selena Gomez's Star Power
By Naomi Kirsten
It doesn’t take a wizard to know what could be next for 15-year-old Selena Gomez: Instant fame. After all, she is the star of the new Disney Channel show, Wizards of Waverly Place. And just look at what happened to her new friend, Miley Cyrus, when Hannah Montana debuted—she skyrocketed to stardom nearly overnight! (Selena admits that she has been told to “get ready.”) We caught up with Selena to find out about her new life in Los Angeles, what it’s like to play Alex Russo, a middle child with magical powers, and why jealousy will never get her down…
DG: You’re the star of a Disney Channel show! How has your life changed?
Selena: It’s changed pretty drastically! I moved from Dallas, Texas, to Los Angeles. And it was sad to say goodbye to my friends and family, but it was a happy moment, too. They were so proud of me for achieving my dreams.
How did you react when you found out that you got the role of Alex?
I was ecstatic, but I was nervous and scared, too. I felt a little bit of everything.
Has anyone given you any memorable advice recently?
My mom has always told me, “Remember where you came from.” I was surrounded by the best people back home. I’ll never forget that.
What do you miss about your hometown?
I miss the quiet nights and hanging out at the lake with my friends. And there’s a little country about 15 minutes away from the city so we can have a little bit of both worlds. And there’s not too much traffic out there—we have a lto of traffic here [in Los Angeles]! So that took a while to get used to!
What is it like behind the scenes of Wizards of Waverly Place?
I can’t even explain it! I am very confident when I say that we are the closest cast Disney Channel has ever had. We’ve been told that because we spend every waking moment with each other—it’s insane! Jake [Austin], Jen [Stone], David [Henrie], and I do karaoke together, we go to the movies, and we go surfing every weekend. And as soon as we get off work, we text and call each other. My mom is always like, “You act like you never see each other!” We’ve just gotten so close.
Speaking of Jake and David, do you have any real-life siblings?
Actually, I don’t—I’m an only child, so it’s pretty cool to have these brothers on the show. They’re like my real brothers. They’re very protective of me and I can go to them about anything. It’s so cool!
How are you and your character, Alex, alike?
Alex is more outgoing and spunky. I’m definitely outgoing but I don’t get into as much trouble. She usually breaks the rules and I’m pretty much a good girl. When it comes to clothes, I’m a huge Converse girl—I have so many pairs—and in the show, that’s all my character wears!
Was that a coincidence?
Actually, [the writers] wanted to make Alex the spunky type, so Wardrobe would always talk to me and get ideas from the clothes I’d wear to the set. Now my character wears nothing but Converse! That’s so fun for me because I get to wear different Converse all the time.
Do you have any hobbies?
My idea of getting away is going surfing. I go surfing in Malibu with Jake and Jen. I’ve surfed six hours in one day! I also like going to the movies.
Have you had any interesting encounters with fans?
It was actually a surprise because I didn’t think I’d have fans until the show came out. But Jake and I have been stopped before. They’ll say, “We went to one of your tapings!” It’s such a cool feeling when fans come up to you because they’re so excited and nervous. Meanwhile, I’m thinking, “I’m more excited and nervous than you are right now!” it’s pretty cool.
Have your friends back home been supportive of your acting career?
They have, and they’ve even come out to Los Angeles to see the show. But back in fourth grade when I started acting, I did lose a couple of friends because of the whole jealousy thing. But I look at it like a sport. Some kids play soccer. Acting is my sport.
What happened back in fourth grade?
I told my mom that I wanted to try acting and I ended up doing Barney and Friends, which was shot in Texas. That’s when it happened—I’d miss a couple of weeks for Barney and then I’d go back to school and I’d deal with some jealousy. I wouldn’t talk about the show unless somebody said, “How was your episode?” So not a lot of people were jealous—just this one group of girls who didn’t like me.
What advice do you have for girls who might have a secret talent that they’re afraid to show everyone?
Just expressing yourself and being true to yourself means more than anything! It’s likely that other people have a talent that they’re afraid of showing as well. I mean, I got made fun of because I was in Barney! Just know that, at the end of the day, you will be okay and you’ll always have your true friends with you.
Don’t miss Selena in Wizards of Waverly Place, debuting Friday, October 12th at 9:30 p.m./8:30c on Disney Channel! For more on Selena, check out the October/November issue!
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SELENA ROCKS!
Selena Gomez seems so awesome!! I am so glad you interviewed her, DG =) she seems like a good role model and I can’t wait to watch her new show!!!!! TTYL
totally
yeah i agree wit u completely she is awesome and a good role model i watched her show last night. it was AWESOME!!!!!!
wizards of waverly place
i luv selenas show. she’s such a talented actress
WIzards of waverly place!
wizards of Waverly place is NOW my FAVORITE Disney channel show! :) —— A BIG fan
Selena Gomez Rox!!
I think she is a GREAT role model… pretty, nice, funny, & down~to~earth.
~Erica…♥
Selena Gomez
I totally agree with you!
GO SELENA !
SELENA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I LOOOOOOOVVVVVVEEEEEEEEEEE SELENA!!!!!!! SHE IS THE BEST!!!!!!!!
selenas the best
wow you are so great.you have inspiered me thank you a lot
THANK YOU SELENA
selena thank you for giving me something to watch on tv
I agree. Your show is for
I agree. Your show is for us tweens!
hi!
hi selena gomez.you are my favrite charater
Selina Gomez Rocks!
Selina Rocks! She is so pretty and I can’t wait for her new show!
Selina rocks!
Selina rocks , she is so confident about herself and she is such a great role model,and to be on the barney show even thorgh she was made fun of,shows she is strong and that she is a leader not a follower!
Selena! Selena! Your the best!
I love Wizards of Waverly Place! It’s one of my new favorite shows on Disney Channel! Keep rockin, Selena!
selena gomez
I love your show love it do you know how much I love it let me tell you it rocks lol
Selena Gomez
She rocks on wizards! She can sing too! She is even on Hannah Montana! Whoa!
Rock On
She rocks! Wizards is my fav show it’s so funny and when she had she had that craving for chocolate I had to go to the pantry and grab some my self!
Selena
Selena is soo great. I look up to her every day. She is great!!
Selena
Selena is the best!!!!! I read your interveiw! I even printed it. She rocks!!!!!!! I am her #1 fan.She is so cool! I love her new show!!!!She is the best!
I love selena Gomez!!!! She
I love selena Gomez!!!! She is so pretty and she is a great role model.
Wizards And Witches night
i watched wizards and witches last night it was so good. i loved how selena gomez [alex] duplicated herself and she went to the sale it is so cool!
Selena is the BEST!!
I love Selena. She is one of my favorite Disney Channel actresses!! I hope Wizards of Waverly Place keeps making new episodes!!
[RE]: Selena is the BEST!!
I totally agree with you!
<3 totaolly
I love Selena! i CaNT WAIT UNTIL THIS FRIDAY 4 THE NEW hAnnah Montana episode staring her! I also saw witches and wizards night! i loved twiches 2 and WOWP. (wizards of waverly place) i also cant wait 4 the new WOWP episode where Justin gets his 1st kiss. <3 THE NEW SHOW!
oh my goodness me
oh my goodness me 2!!!!!!!!!!! i havent quite gotten a chance to watch it but selena is such a great actress from what ive seen of her!!!!
o.m.g
I agree she is amazing
STAR POWER*
i thought selena was an awsome actress ever since seeing her on the suite life for the first time (in case u didn’t notice she was in one episode of the suite life:-), but never imagined that she’d get her own show! she’s a great role model to all girls. she proves that even great stars may start small. you go, girl! WE ALL LUV YA SELENA! 8-) shannen
Omg
i also thought she was so cool. i also adored her on Hannah Montana
golly me crazy
golly this girl is the new Hannah Montana! Better watch out or she’ll busta move.
—Isabella
AGREE
Selena rocks. She is totally the newest most popular teen star. (no offense Miley.) I totally agree she is the ner Miley/ Hannah. She is awesome. I hope that Miley does not get mad though that Selena is steeling her fans and stuff. I like Miley still. But Selena is soo cool i totally love her and she is the hottest newest best star in Hollywood and her show is awesome and i love all of the things about her. WAY TO GO SELENA!! You are a great role model. (but miley i think you are both amazing i still love you.)
agreed
selena gomez is much better than miley!
Hannah
Wow, very interesting interview. I’ll try to express myself and be true o myself more like Selena said. I think I might have a singing talent. My best friend says I have a really pretty voice. And Selena, I really like you in Hannah Montana even though you are mean!!!
Cool!
Selena seems so nice and down to earth. I think that it’s nice that she doesn’t let fame get to her head. I love converse,too! High and low and scruffy… I like em all. Also, I adore acting, but soccer is my #1 love. I have never acted on film before, though. It’s just more fun to do improve and plays. Anyway, I had never heard of Selena before, but she seems pretty awesome!
—maddy
converse
I my closet is full of converse. You see me wearing babydoll tops like Selena. And all that tight wear. This girl has all my passions!
—Isabella
HERSELF
i love selena because she doesn’t try to be any body, but herself! for example she has her own style ( which i luv by the way) . she’s not letting being a (completly cool!) star go to her head. She is so amazing! + i luv her new show! thanks selena, and keep up the fabulous work! -shannie
SELENA ROCKS
Selena Gomez is so awesome.She is the best singer and I hope she has a CD soon.Selena is a great role model.Wizards of Waverly Place is the best show on earth.Selena has the best style.All of her clothes are so cute.I love how she always mixes and matches all of her outfits.SELENA ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SELENA is so COOL!
I think so too. She is such a great singer. If she made an album, I would definitly buy it! Selena ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yah!
I totally agree! Selena ROCKS!
selena's my idol
hi i love her style and i love the way she acts. She has a out standing personality.
Selena Rocks out loud!
It is amazing how she went from an average girl to a Disney Channel star. She is my idol!!!
selena rocks
it is amazing what she did!!!!!! She is my idol! I wish i could meet her! Autum
Selena rocks!!!
I think she’s my new fave star!!! Next to miley. (But who knows, she might pull in front of Hannah Montana!!)
P.S. On her 1st hannah episode I thought she did a good job singing!!!!! I hope she records an album!!!!!
Role Model
Selena is my role model!! i love the way she dress’ i love the way she acts and EVERYTHING!!! i love her!
Selena Gomez
Selena Gomez is an awesome role model. Does any one know who sings the opening song for wizards anyway? I love that song? Hey I think Disney should have more stars that are like 12 11 10 9 8 and below you know what I mean?
OMGOSH I KNEW I SAW HER FROM
OMGOSH I KNEW I SAW HER FROM SOMETHIN G, IVE SEEN HER IN BARNEY! LOL! YES ITS SAD BUT TRUE! WAY TO GO SELENA, YOUR SO COOL, A VERY TALENTED ACTRESS AND A GREAT ROLE MODEL! KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!
ohmigosh
Selena Gomez is super gorgeoues!!! i love her!!! Wizards of Waverly Place rocks!!!
vanessa,ashley,selena
ok, i think selena sounds great, from the article at least, but how should i know, i don’t have cable. but i do know that some of these comments are honestly, not according to what i think she was trying to get out of the interview. “selena’s great”, and “selenas the coolest person on the planet” and that sort of thing is nice, but you do that to every person who comes out. you admire everyone, even if they are terrible actors. not that selenas terrible. in fact, i really want to see her show. it is just that, first there is this great actress or actor, and then, there is some scandal, or something, and then a new star comes in, capturing everyones attention. yu say your loyal to them, but really, you might not be.
She's so funny
On HANNAH MONTANNA, when she guest starred, she was so funny. At the end of the episode of when Mikayla is in on one of Jake’s films I love it when she becomes friends with Miley (Stewart. It’s even more funny when she says “Let’s do our nails and go shopping and talk about how much i hate Hannah Montanna.” LOL That cracked me up
-Hannah Montanna Fan
Selena
She rocks i want to be her and meet her!!!!!!!!!!!!
Luv, Ry
I agree
I also love that part it was way funny.I wonder if they can continue that film.And I also wonder if they can make a show that if Mikayla finds out that Miley was Hannah Montana.That would be awsome.
i love selena
you have such cute clothes and i want to be like you
Selena is Sweet!
Selena looks like a really cool person! I think she was great on HM, and i haven’t seen her show, wizards of waverly place, yet, but i will!
Selena's Show!
Yesterday there was a marathon of WIzards Of Waverly place! I think Selena rocks.
Selena
SELENA RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!! she totally rocks and i love her! shes a great actress! and singer
Selena Gomez ROCKS!
Yeah she is AWESOME! I watched her show yesterday for the 2nd time. So far I’ve seen the one w/ the pocket elves and the one where she makes a copy of herself and goes on the 10 minute sale. Even my dad thought it looked funny and good. And from a dad including one doesn’t usually like Disney shows thats saying a lot. Well bye 4 now! -Horse lover
rockin chica
um…is selena gomez hispanic? i’m pretty sure she iz and thats soo cool cuz i can’t think of that many disney channel stars who are latina!!! Besos! (kisses) -Dezz
She has the power of making people her fans!
She’s a great actress. that’s why I think she has the power she does. a great acctess gets alot of fans. and she is a wonderful actess. And she’s really funny!
selena
selena is cool she has style i wish i could meet her
selena's so cool
i really want 2 meet selena gomez i have her poster in my room she is so pretty
LUV wizards
i am sitting here with my sister and we love the show. we watch it every night!
selena is sooo coool!
I love watching the wizards of waverly place. Her clothes and soo cute! and after the interview she seeeems soo nice! i wish i could meet her one day but i live in Canada.Love: Zarah
Selena Rules!!
I never had thought I’d like her but when I started watching her show I knew I was totally wrong! She is so pretty and talented! Her clothes ROCK! I am so hooked to Waverly Place now! I LOVE her!
Selena!
Selena Gomez is soooooo beautiful! Ilove wizard’s of waverly place and i loved the hannah montana episodes that she was in!
Biography for ILA
I’m doing my biography on SELENA GOMEZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Selena!!!
I can’t believe that Selena was on Barney when she was younger! That’s kinda funny that Selena goes surfing with Jake because he was on ”Johnny Kapahala Back on Board” and his step-dad was teaching him to surf.Selena is a great actress and I love Wizards of Waverly Place!!!!!
Selena rocks!!!!!!!!!
I am so glad you interviewed her she seems like a down to earth person. Her show rocks and she is a very taneted actress!
selena rocks the croud
selena`s the best!!! Her style is great!!! She has a great personality!!! The most thing she hates about wizards of waverly place is that she has to were high heals thats what ashely tisdale hates about high school musical!!!
Selena_Gomez_#1_Fan
You are my favorite celebrity! I watch your show everyday and I have seen every episode! Selena you Rock!!!
THE SHOW
I love her show it rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!