By Melissa Eugene
eugem33@mail.broward.edu
Being a 2000s baby, I think most of us grew up knowing who Selena Gomez is. But for those who might need a refresher: Selena starred in beloved childhood shows like Barney & Friends, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, and Wizards of Waverly Place. Her fame began early, and many millennials hold her work close to their hearts. Yet, growing up in the spotlight often comes with its own challenges, especially when transitioning from child stardom to adulthood.
Child actors rarely get to experience a real childhood. While they were busy entertaining ours, they missed out on their own. We’ve seen this countless times with actors like Cole Sprouse, who also starred in The Suite Life of Zack & Cody. Sprouse once said, “When you’re a child actor, you’re a minor, and so a lot of the larger business decisions that are controlling your career are outside your agency.” He told Variety in 2019, “You’re raised in such an insular environment that you forget what real human experience is like or what boots on the ground actually look like.” Similarly, Raven-Symoné, known for her role in That’s So Raven, has reflected on the restrictions placed on her as a child star, even down to what she could eat.
Of course, not every child star’s story is filled with struggle, but many share similar feelings of lost time and identity. Gomez herself hasn’t spoken in great depth about her early experiences, but she has admitted that her childhood fame affected her development. Selena once said, “I have no regrets, and I have a fantastic family, and there were rules laid down by my parents that I’m appreciative of. However, I don’t think I would’ve done it so young if I were thinking of myself now.”
As a celebrity, Selena’s personal life has also been under constant scrutiny. During my childhood, it felt like everyone was talking about “Justin and Selena.” Gomez and Justin Bieber met in 2009 and were rumored to be dating by 2011. Their on-and-off relationship played out publicly, with every argument and reunion making headlines.
In 2014, reality hit hard as Bieber was arrested for driving under the influence and vandalism, while Selena was in rehab, receiving treatment for lupus. The two broke up and reconciled several times before finally parting ways in 2018.
Afterward, Selena took a step back from the spotlight. No music, no acting, no public relationships, just time for herself. That pause changed everything. When she returned, she came back stronger, launching her empowering cosmetics line, Rare Beauty, and releasing new music that reflected her healing and growth. In late 2023, her relationship with music producer Benny Blanco became public, and in December 2024, he proposed. The two are now married, continuing to prioritize love, peace, and authenticity.
Even if you’ve never followed her career closely, Selena’s journey teaches us something invaluable: growth often begins in solitude. Sometimes, we need to step back from the noise, rediscover who we are, and nurture the parts of ourselves that fame, work, or pressure have silenced.
So I’ll leave you with this: if Selena could find strength in stillness and rebuild her life on her own terms, when will you give yourself the space to do the same?