20 Things You Didn't Know About Selena Gomez

All grown up.

1. At age 7, Selena Gomez joined the cast of Barney & Friends as Gianna, but was eventually let go two years later once she was considered "too old." Selena has famously recounted meeting best friend Demi Lovato while coloring in line to audition for the show.
2. Once she was discovered by Disney Channel through a nation-wide talent search, Selena was placed in guest spots on The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and Hannah Montana. She also filmed three pilots: a Lizzie McGuire spin-off called What's Stevie Thinking; a Suite Life spin-off entitled Arwin!; and Wizards of Waverly Place, the show that would make her a star.
3. Selena's first kiss was on camera to Dylan Sprouse while filming a scene for her aforementioned appearance on The Suite Life. How vile! Can you imagine a sadder first kiss story?
4. When Selena got a recording contract, she was adamant that she wanted a band rather than a solo career, citing Paramore as her biggest influence. Disney's Hollywood Records wanted to capitalize on Selena's household name, so they came up with the compromise of tacking on the band onto her name; thus, Selena Gomez & the Scene was born. Selena stated that she hoped that one day they could be known simply as "The Scene." After three albums, however, she dropped her band mates and embarked on a solo career.
5. In 2009, Selena became the youngest ambassador for UNICEF at age 17.
6. She used to wear a purity ring that said "True Love Waits." Then she met Justin Bieber.
7. Selena reportedly turned down the role of Tiara Gold in High School Musical 3: Senior Year because she felt it would be a good opportunity for an undiscovered actress.
8. While filming Ramona & Beezus, she wore a sports bra to give herself a flatter look. #JudyGarlandProblems
9. Selena's mother encouraged her to take her role in the controversial film Spring Breakers, as she was a big fan of director Harmony Korine's work.
10. "Whiplash" was originally written by Britney Spears for Circus, "Rock God" and "That's More Like It" were both written and recorded by Katy Perry before being passed on to Selena, and "Come & Get It" was supposed to be for Rihanna.
11. For the first few years of Wizards of Waverly Place, Selena was frequently linked to her co-star, David Henrie. However, there has been recent speculation that the two do not get along, reports which were fueled by David's refusal to participate in the post-series special Alex vs. Alex, which aired earlier this year.
12. Despite being best known for playing a teenage wizard, Selena has admitted that she doesn't like the magic genre, specifically the Harry Potter franchise.
13. Her third album, When the Sun Goes Down, was originally titled Otherside until she realized that was fucking stupid.
14. She met best friend Taylor Swift backstage at a Jonas Brothers concert when Selena was dating Nick and Taylor was dating Joe. #poorKevin
15. Selena's favorite TV show is Friends and she hopes to one day star in a show similar to that. (Right, because Friends rip-offs have worked out so well in the past...)
16. While neither have confirmed it, Selena and Demi ended their friendship because of Demi's hard-partying ways, but they reconciled after we entered rehab. 
17. She is named after the famous Mexican singer Selena.
18. Selena's "Come & Get It" charted at #6 in America, making it the highest charting single by a Disney Channel star, right behind Miley's "Party in the USA" at #2. (And this is excluding Mouseketeers Justin, Britney, and Christina.)
19. Her acting idol is Rachel McAdams.
20. For her music video for "Falling Down", Selena had a woman behind the camera instructing her what to do with her hands because Selena felt too awkward.