Selena Gomez

In 2011, Selena Gomez and singer Justin Beiber began dating each other, but since then it has been an on-and-off relationship between the two celebrities.

This star is known for her philanthropic activities, including her association with the 'Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF' movement. She became the youngest representative of the organization, breaking the record held earlier by New Zealand performer Hayley Westenra.

She has worked for the 'UNICEF' in Ghana, volunteering for the betterment of underprivileged children in the country.

Selena Marie Gomez was born to former actress Amanda Dawn Cornett, and her Mexican husband, Ricardo Joel, on July 22, 1992, in the Grand Prairie city of Texas.

When the young girl was only five years old, her parents separated, and her grandparents played an important role in her upbringing. Selena has two stepsisters, Gracie Elliot, her mother's child with Brian Teefey, and Victoria, born to her father and his second wife, Sara.

After her parents separated, the young girl and her twenty-one year old mother struggled to survive amidst dire poverty. Amanda's stage performances inspired Selena to choose a career in acting, and soon the little girl was attending try-outs.

Her first break came with the show, 'Barney and Friends', in 2002, when she was chosen to play a character named Gianna. It was during the auditions that she met fellow performer, Demi Lovato, who was also selected for the show in the same year.

During the show, 'Barney and Friends' and after quitting it in 2004, Gomez made guest appearances in films like 'Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire' and 'Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over'.

In 2006, the young actor featured on the 'Disney' show, 'The Suite Life of Zack & Cody', for one episode. The next year, she was cast in another 'Disney' programme, 'Hannah Montana', and also started shooting for 'Arwin!', and 'Suite Life', both belonging to the same production house.

Selena also bagged the role of the protagonist, Alex Russo, in the 'Disney' show, 'Wizards of Waverly Place', in 2007. She soon shifted to Hollywood, and began her full-fledged acting career, with colleague and friend, Demi Lovato.

The show was a success, and so was her theme song, 'Everything is Not What It Seems', shooting the talented actor to stardom, in the process getting compared to fellow performer, Miley Cyrus.

One of the famous 'Disney' stars, Selena's television film, 'Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie' is considered to be the most successful amongst all her work. The movie, directed by Lev L. Spiro, attracted 11.4 million people on the first day of screening, and it received the 'Primetime Emmy Award' in the 'Best Children Program' category in 2010.