Selena Gomez Acting Career: From Barney to Only Murders in the Building
Last Updated on April 28, 2026 by Bella
Selena Gomez began acting as a child on Barney & Friends before becoming one of Disney Channel’s biggest stars through Wizards of Waverly Place. Since then, she has expanded into film, voice acting, and producing, earning major recognition for projects such as Only Murders in the Building and Emilia Pérez.
Over the years, Gomez has proven she is far more than a former Disney Channel star. She is now a respected actor, producer, musician, and beauty entrepreneur whose influence continues to expand.
Below is a complete look at Selena Gomez’s acting journey, from her earliest television roles to her most celebrated performances today.
Early Beginnings on Television
Selena Gomez made her first step into show business in 2002 when she joined the cast of Barney and Friends. She appeared on the beloved children’s series for two years, playing Gianna alongside fellow future star Demi Lovato. Looking back on that time, Gomez has shared fond memories of being on set at such a young age.
“It was amazing to be able to be 7 years old and experience that. It was wild.”
After leaving the show, Gomez auditioned frequently and faced plenty of rejection. Still, she kept pushing forward. She landed small but important roles in projects like Spy Kids 3D Game Over in 2003 and Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire in 2005. In 2006, she appeared in Brain Zapped and even recorded a song for the project, hinting early on at her future music career.
Becoming a Disney Channel Star
Gomez’s breakthrough came when Disney Channel took notice. She first appeared as a guest star on The Suite Life of Zack and Cody and later played Mikayla on Hannah Montana. These appearances opened the door to what would become her most iconic early role.
In 2007, Selena Gomez was cast as Alex Russo in Wizards of Waverly Place. The show quickly became a massive hit and ran for four seasons until 2012. It earned two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Children’s Program and turned Gomez into a household name. The success also led to the Disney Channel Original Movie Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie, which premiered in 2009.
During this era, Gomez stayed busy. She appeared in Horton Hears a Who, Another Cinderella Story, and Princess Protection Program alongside Demi Lovato. These projects solidified her status as one of Disney’s most recognizable stars.
Years later, the Wizards universe returned with Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, which premiered in October 2024. Gomez guest-starred in the pilot and also served as an executive producer, showing how her role in the franchise has evolved.
Expanding Into Film and Voice Acting
In 2012, Gomez took on a major voice acting role as Mavis in Hotel Transylvania. The animated film became a huge success and spawned three sequels released in 2015, 2018, and 2022. Her performance introduced her to an entirely new generation of fans.
That same period marked a turning point in her on-screen image. Gomez starred in Spring Breakers alongside James Franco and Vanessa Hudgens, stepping away from family-friendly roles. She later appeared in Getaway and Behaving Badly, continuing to explore more mature material.
In 2019, Gomez returned to film with Jim Jarmusch’s zombie comedy The Dead Don’t Die. She followed that with voice work in Dolittle, proving her versatility across genres.
Only Murders in the Building and Critical Praise
Selena Gomez reached a new level of acclaim with her role as Mabel Mora on Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building. Starring alongside Steve Martin and Martin Short, Gomez plays a quiet but sharp true crime fan who helps investigate a murder in her New York apartment building.
The series has become a major hit and earned multiple Emmy nominations for Outstanding Comedy Series. Gomez herself received three Golden Globe nominations for Best Actress in a Comedy Series between 2023 and 2025. In 2024, she earned her first Emmy nomination for acting.
Reflecting on her connection to the role, Gomez shared,
“I feel like I’ve been able to gradually become Mabel and to grow with her. She is a part of me now. I’m just enjoying the process.”
She also serves as an executive producer on the show, highlighting her growing influence behind the scenes.
Award Recognition and Recent Film Work
In 2024, Gomez starred in Emilia Peréz, a Spanish-language musical film directed by Jacques Audiard. She played the wife of a Mexican drug lord in a bold and unexpected role. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, where Gomez and her co-stars shared the Best Actress award.
Speaking about the audition process, Gomez said,
“I acted insane in the audition. I just surrendered and completely gave myself. I was like, well, at least I could walk away and say that I did my best.”
The film later earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress in 2025, marking another milestone in her acting career.
TL;DR:
- Selena Gomez began acting on Barney & Friends as a child.
- She rose to fame as Alex Russo on Wizards of Waverly Place.
- She later expanded into film and voice acting with projects including Hotel Transylvania and Spring Breakers. Only Murders in the Building brought her major critical recognition.
- In 2024, Emilia Pérez added another major milestone to her acting career.
