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Selena Gomez: 10 Amazing Facts Few People Know

By Stacey Cole
Published on: 00:30 PST, Jan 26, 2016

Selena Gomez has grown into a talented young actress and musician, a far cry from her Disney days on Wizards of Waverly Place. Rolling Stone reports that most recently, Gomez appeared on Saturday Night Live and performed three singles from her Revival album, even while Winter Storm Jonas blasted New York City.

But where did this star get her start, and what unique and interesting things are there that fans don’t know about her? Check it out!

1. Zimbio reports that many fans don’t realize that before her current music career and even before Wizards of Waverly Place, Selena Gomez rocked Barney at the age of 7.

She spoke about what she learned from the big purple dinosaur.

“I was very shy when I was little. I didn’t know what ‘camera right’ was. I didn’t know what blocking was. I learned everything from Barney.”

Gomez even starred alongside Demi Lovato on Barney. Check it out!

2. Selena Gomez was raised primarily by her mom, Mandy Dawn Teefey, who was a stage actress and Gomez’s inspiration for pursuing an acting career.

3. Despite her success as a young actress, after appearing on The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and Hannah Montana, Selena Gomez had two failed Disney pilots before getting her role in Wizards of Waverly Place.

4. In 2009, Selena Gomez was a model for Sears, although the clothing she modeled didn’t really scream Selena Gomez like her fashion choices do now.

5. Selena Gomez loves pickles and wants to invent pickle-flavored gum!

6. Selena Gomez is the youngest UNICEF ambassador ever. She has even traveled to Ghana and, in 2011, to Chile to meet families that have been helped by UNICEF.

“To witness first hand these families’ struggles, and also their hope and perseverance, was truly inspiring.”

7. As amazing and unbelievable as it sounds, Selena Gomez turned down the chance to star in High School Musical 3. Apparently, she just didn’t want to do it.

“High School Musical 3 is cute, and I think it would be a great opportunity for someone else. But I passed on it because I didn’t want to do it. I plan to take other roles in acting that are challenging for me. After Disney, I want to be taken seriously as an actress for many years.”

8. When she was just 15-years-old, Selena Gomez did the voices of 90 Whos in the movie Horton Hears a Who. These voices included the daughters of Steve Carrell’s Who character, the Mayor. She never got to meet Carrell during the filming of the movie.

9. Moviefone reports that the first concert Selena Gomez ever went to was a Britany Spears concert.

“I just remember it being the highlight of my life! I felt like I was on cloud nine!”

10. Selena Gomez was bullied a lot when she was in elementary and middle school. Hollywood Life reported that she once said she learned to turn the other cheek.

“I was bullied every second of every day in elementary and middle school. Obviously, people are going to bring you down because of your drive. But, ultimately, it makes you a stronger person to turn your cheek and go the other way.”

Gomez got through those bullying days with BFF Demi Lovato, who was also bullied.

“It’s nice that you have a best friend to go through this with. I had a best friend to go through that with and it really helped me ignore negative things I was hearing. So, don’t take no for an answer and keep going.”

[Photo by Grant Lamos IV/Getty Images]

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