Selena Gomez Research Paper

There are thousands of celebrities that are wealthy enough to provide for more than just them self. Often times, people conclude to the fact that famous people use their wealth and fame for the wrong reasons. Selena Gomez is a young adult striving to improve the lives of those who are less fortunate. She works specifically with UNICEF hoping to enhance the lives of many children around the world. Gomez is a giving humanitarian because like many others she takes things for granted, she desires for the less fortunate to be at more ease.

Selena Gomez was born in Grand Prairie, Texas on July 22nd, 1992 (Petruso, A. 198). She was named after the late Tejano legend, Selena Quintanilla Perez (“Selena Gomez”). When Gomez was born her mother was only sixteen years old. She has no siblings (“Selena Gomez 1992-American Actor” 121). Gomez’s father, Ricardo Gomez, was of Mexican descent. Her mother, Amanda Cornett, was of Italian extraction (Petruso, A. 198). Gomez attended elementary school in Grand Prairie but later decided to be homeschooled. Most celebrities choose that option because it is easier for them.

At six years old, Gomez decided she wanted to try acting. Turning seven years old she joined the auditions for Barney and Friends (“Selena Gomez 1992-American Actor” 122). Selena Gomez played Gianna on Barney and Friends (Petruso, A. 198-199). She credits the famous children’s show for a lot. She claims it taught her all the basic things she needed to know about acting and good manners. Selena Gomez auditioned for Disney Channel at an opening cast. She was only twelve years old. Two weeks later, her mother and she were asked to travel to Hollywood for more auditions because she did so well. At times Gomez felt left out because of her Mexican heritage. She recalls wanting to be like her friends, blue eyes, blonde hair. She later came to realization that her Mexican Heritage set her apart in a good way (“Selena Gomez 1992-American Actor” 122-124). In 2007 Gomez was cast as Alex Russo on a TV series called Wizards of Waverly Place. Selena Gomez also had an interest in singing. She signed a recording deal with Hollywood Records at the age of sixteen (Petruso, A. 199). She was not ready to settle with a single career. Gomez wanted to expand her singing opportunity. Selena Gomez learned to play many instruments so she could have her own band (“Selena Gomez”). Gomez did not want to be a solo artist. She began recording in her free time (Petruso, A. 200). Her efforts that went into singing made her even more known than she already was.

Celebrities that are young of age always have a difficulty with their education system. Selena Gomez was homeschooled. She desired to go to college, preferably Northwestern University (Petruso, A. 200). The statement she made is good because it inspires many other children to continue their education no matter what the circumstances are. Many kids look up to Selena Gomez as their role model. They see how much she has and what she has become that they have the same wishes as she once did to get to the top. Gomez had hoped to launch her first clothing brand in the fall of 2012 called Dream Out Loud by Selena Gomez. She was named Ambassador to UNICEF in 2009. For her first mission she visited Ghana. Selena Gomez is the youngest person to be named as UNICEF ambassador (Petruso, A. 200). This is a great title to earn and it gives children the idea of giving to charity and wanting to reach a place like her.

Along with giving to charity this young actress also took time to visit the needy. Selena Gomez travelled to Valparaiso, Chile accompanied by UNICEF staff and her family. In an article it stated, “UNICEF is helping Chilean families get out of poverty, prevent violence within the home and promote education.” UNICEF supports a program called “Porgrama Puente”. This organization helps families better understand and develop skills to deal effectively with early childhood education, development, and parenting skills and other programs related to raising children. The “Programa Puente” works with around 8,911 families in Valparaiso. The public often likes to see celebrities doing something for a good cause, “Selena Gomez witnessed UNICEF’s efforts to help raise awareness and promote early childhood education and development” (“Selena Gomez Makes Charity Trip to Chile for UNICEF”). With such efforts it is clear that there are people trying to make a difference in the world. Each step taken is to better progress our societies. It is especially important for people to help those who live in countries that have a high rate of poverty.

In 2007, Selena Gomez gained the role of Alex Russo on Wizards of Waverly Place (“Selena Gomez 1992-American Actor” 124). This is a very popular show on Disney channel that stopped airing in January of 2012. This show is based on three siblings that are wizards. Wizards of Waverly Place attracts many young children because they love to wish they had magical abilities. A major accomplishment of Selena Gomez is that she became a UNICEF ambassador (“Selena Gomez Makes Charity Trip to Chile for UNICEF”). Throughout her life she has had many achievements. It is very significant that she has had many major accomplishments because it shows that she is working hard.

Although Gomez does a lot of charity work there is one she is actively participating with. The charity that Selena Gomez actively works with is called UNICEF. This charity stands for United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund however it was shortened to United Nation’s Children’s Fund. UNICEF works to prevent the spread of harmful disease such as HIV/AIDS which is common among young people (“About UNICEF: Who we are”). It is important to UNICEF for families to have correct information on how to improve their lives and their children’s (“Selena Gomez Makes Charity Trip to Chile