Selena Gomez Said She Was A Child Star When A Lovely Exchange With Fans Made Her Realize ‘Diverse Roles’ Mattered

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As a seasoned gamer who has spent countless hours immersed in the virtual worlds of entertainment, I can wholeheartedly appreciate Selena Gomez’s journey and the profound impact she has had on many young viewers. Her story resonates with me, not just because we share a love for gaming (I mean, who can forget her voice acting role in Hotel Transylvania?), but because she embodies the spirit of inclusivity that I believe is essential in today’s entertainment industry.

Previously known Disney child star Selena Gomez has been experiencing a remarkable streak of success. Apart from making a return to the screen through Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, the sequel spinoff that catapulted her to fame, her Hulu series, Only Murders in the Building, was renewed for its fifth season and she has recently been recognized as a billionaire due to her makeup line, Rare Beauty. Despite her current adult success, it was during her childhood years that she acknowledged the importance of diverse roles, an insight gained from a fan encounter.

What Fan Interaction Made Selena Gomez Realize That Diverse Roles Matter When She Was A Child Star?

It’s heartening to note that in recent times, there’s been a significant shift towards promoting diversity, both in front of and behind the camera. Selena Gomez, who boasts Mexican heritage, has undoubtedly contributed to this by demonstrating that every individual is multidimensional. This can be traced back to her portrayal of a certain teenage witch on the Disney Channel.

At a recent gathering hosted by The Hollywood Reporter’s Women in Entertainment Gala (as reported by People), she received an award for Equity in Entertainment. Reflecting on this occasion, she recalled an instance during her filming days at the age of 15 when a woman from the audience approached her, saying:

She was with her daughter, and she expressed her excitement and happiness. She thanked the person on TV for resembling her daughter, saying it allows her daughter to find a role model similar to herself.

Despite currently being recognized for her activism, particularly in mental health, body positivity, and promoting diversity (her award recognizes individuals who boost the voices of underrepresented communities in entertainment), it’s clear that there was a period when Emilia Pérez didn’t contemplate as deeply the impact of her role as Alex Russo on “Wizards of Waverly Place” on other children. She went on to say…

It’s essential for young girls to witness a variety of female characters in strong, influential positions such as heroes, leaders, and complex individuals. Observing such empowered representations can motivate them to aim high and chase their dreams.

The actress who voiced the character in “Hotel Transylvania” also mentioned that, at the time, she didn’t fully grasp the significance of her words, but she was instantly “extremely thankful” and knew she wanted to “strive to meet those expectations, however they might manifest.” Fast forward almost 20 years, and it would be hard for anyone, including the character herself, to argue that she hasn’t achieved that early ambition in abundance.

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2024-12-05 23:37