From Disney Channel darling to Hollywood star, Selena Gomez has captivated audiences with her versatile performances. Join us as we celebrate the roles that made us fall in love with this multi-talented actress. From magical mishaps to murder mysteries, we're counting down the performances that showcase Gomez's growth and charm on screen.
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00Yay!
00:02Welcome to Phi Lambda.
00:03Yay!
00:05Welcome to Ms. Mojo.
00:06And today, we're looking at the performances
00:08that made Selenators out of all of us.
00:11Miss Hannah, I'm taking all your fannas.
00:16Number 20, Helga McDodd, Horton Hears a Who.
00:20This animated interpretation of Dr. Seuss's Whoville
00:23is best known for starring Jim Carrey and Steve Carell.
00:27You have a family.
00:28I do indeed.
00:30A beautiful wife, 96 daughters, and one son.
00:35Busy guy.
00:36But making her voice acting debut on film
00:39is none other than Selena Gomez.
00:41Holly's been using my hairbrush.
00:43Holly's been using my hairbrush.
00:45Gomez has lent her voice to some massively successful projects.
00:49More on that later.
00:50So not everyone remembers her smaller role
00:53in Horton Hears a Who.
00:54Admittedly, it's easy to get lost in the mix
00:57when you're voicing one of 96 daughters
00:59of the mayor of Whoville.
01:0196 girls to love, 96 girls to teach.
01:06But the mayor had only a few seconds for each.
01:09Still, it's fun to check out her character Helga,
01:12knowing the superstar the actress eventually became.
01:16There, all better.
01:17Number 19, Kate Ann Lucas, Rutterless.
01:21I'm Kate.
01:23I was Josh's...
01:25...sort of.
01:26We dated for about a year.
01:28There's nothing like a good indie movie
01:30to flex your acting muscles.
01:32Gomez showed hers with a strong supporting role
01:35in a story about grief.
01:37He was really sweet to me.
01:42He was always very sweet to me.
01:45Rutterless follows Billy Crudup's character Sam
01:48as he grapples with the death of his son Josh,
01:51a misunderstanding leaves Sam presenting
01:53Josh's music as his own.
01:55The actress appears as Josh's love interest,
01:58portraying a young woman deeply affected
02:00by a soul-shattering loss.
02:04Known mainly for comedic work at the time,
02:07Gomez steals the scene with a marvelous
02:09against-type performance.
02:11Although with limited screen time,
02:13the actress makes each appearance count.
02:16With a blend of vulnerability, anger, and sorrow,
02:19Gomez's character represents how sadness
02:22binds people together.
02:23How could you play those songs?
02:25Shame on you!
02:30The Suite Life of Zack and Cody.
02:32Do you really think I'll get the part of Hermia?
02:35Of course!
02:36And I'm a shoe-in for Lysander.
02:38Who gets to kiss Hermia?
02:40Before landing her star-making role
02:42on Wizards of Waverly Place,
02:44Gomez appeared in Disney Channel's
02:46Other Great Successes.
02:47Her guest spot as Gwen in The Suite Life
02:50of Zack and Cody cleverly mirrors
02:52William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.
02:55Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind,
02:57and therefore is winged, cupid, painted blind.
03:00While putting the play together,
03:02Gwen's affections switch from Cody to Zack.
03:05As you'd expect, hilarity ensues as characters
03:08quickly fall in and out of love with each other.
03:11Which part did you get?
03:15I'm bottom!
03:16I'm bottom?
03:18That part must stink!
03:19Gomez shows why she's such a natural for the screen,
03:22delivering a light-hearted and likable performance
03:25that stays true to Disney's brand of humor.
03:28You seem like a lovely girl,
03:30and I would hate to see you get hurt.
03:32Why would I get hurt?
03:34Because if your stage kiss with Zack
03:36lasts longer than a second and a half,
03:38I'm gonna flatten you like roadkill.
03:41Looking back, it's no wonder she was a leading star
03:44for the network by the following year.
03:46What are you doing, Lysander?
03:48It's me you loveth, remember?
03:52Foolish mortal!
03:53I banish thee from the forest!
03:55You can't banish me!
03:57Oh yeah?
03:57We'll see about that.
03:59Oh yeah!
04:01Number 17.
04:02Michaela Skeetch.
04:04Panamontana.
04:05Cupid had a heart,
04:06Cupid might not know.
04:09I need you to see,
04:11I need you with me.
04:14Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez were arguably
04:16Disney Channel's biggest names in the aughts.
04:19Of course, the latter appeared on Panamontana
04:22before reaching big-time fame,
04:23but it's still cool to see these two stars share the screen.
04:27Although she didn't do her own singing,
04:29Gomez's natural charisma shines through regardless.
04:33Hannah, I heard you pulled out of the concert.
04:35What happened?
04:36Did the big pop star get scared?
04:39Her character, Michaela, is out to steal Hannah's spotlight,
04:42and she isn't shy about letting her know it.
04:45I really am a huge fan.
04:47Yeah, I hate you.
04:49Thanks!
04:49I feel the exact same-
04:51What?
04:52Michaela also befriends Miley,
04:54unaware she and her rival are one in the same.
04:57Gomez taps into her cattiest side for this performance,
05:00with Michaela antagonizing her rival at every turn.
05:04Fans later loved her wisecracking role as Alex
05:07on Wizards of Waverly Place,
05:09and Gomez provides a first glimpse here of what's to come.
05:13Either way, I'm gonna steal all your fans,
05:15and there's nothing you can do about it.
05:17Number 16.
05:18The Kid.
05:19Getaway.
05:20Get out.
05:22Get out now!
05:23Fans hoping to see Gomez in the action genre
05:26got their wish with this 2013 thriller.
05:29Starring alongside Ethan Hawke,
05:31Gomez showcases her adaptability on screen.
05:34This is my car.
05:36What?
05:36You probably don't understand this because you're a criminal.
05:39Things in this world belong to people
05:41before people like you take them.
05:42The high-stakes format of the film never lets up,
05:45shifting gears constantly as the protagonists race against time.
05:49Although Getaway was a critical flop,
05:51Gomez is committed in her role as The Kid.
05:54Solid chemistry with Hawke helps drive the film,
05:57keeping audiences hooked throughout the intense 90-minute runtime.
06:03As of 2024, the actress hasn't dipped her toes back in the genre,
06:08making Getaway the best option for fans to see Gomez
06:11stretch far beyond her Disney roots.
06:14Get out.
06:15What?
06:15Now!
06:24Number 15.
06:25Gianna.
06:26Barney and Friends.
06:27Does your fan help?
06:28Not very much.
06:29See?
06:30You're right, Angela.
06:32Maybe it would help if we move around a little.
06:34If you're looking for the origins of Gomez's celebrated career,
06:37look no further than A Certain Singing Purple Dinosaur.
06:40A show about educating young minds with good-natured vibes,
06:44Barney's many songs have delighted children worldwide.
06:48I love you.
06:50You love me.
06:51Accompanying Barney are his young friends,
06:54which included a girl called Gianna back in the early aughts.
07:01Played by Gomez,
07:02Gianna's sequences range from learning new ideas
07:05to expressing her love for family and friends.
07:08Even at a young age,
07:09Gomez brims with an inherent charm and palpable self-confidence.
07:14It was an early sign of a star destined to shine bright,
07:17and Gomez's early performances remain a nostalgic treat decades later.
07:22And yes, that is also Demi Lovato.
07:25What's this thing, Barney?
07:27Oh, that's called a juicer.
07:29It's how we get the juice that's inside the lemon out of the lemon.
07:34You just push down, squeeze, and twist.
07:37Number 14.
07:38Mavis Dracula Loughran.
07:40Hotel Transylvania 2.
07:42Honey, are you okay?
07:44Yes, it's just a little harder to catch my breath since I'm pregnant.
07:48Yes, well, I guess that would make it more...
07:51What?
07:59I'm gonna be a grandpa!
08:02After playing Mavis as a rebellious teenager in the first Hotel Transylvania,
08:06Gomez takes the character through a mature avenue in the sequel.
08:10Now a wife and mother,
08:12Mavis has to decide how to raise her half-human, half-vampire son.
08:16I'd be thrilled if the baby's humany just like Johnny.
08:19Humany?
08:20With thousands of years of Dracula genes.
08:23Gomez has a well-rounded interpretation of Mavis's development,
08:26adding more depth while retaining the character's comedic traits.
08:30In contrast with Adam Sandler's slapstick Dracula,
08:33Gomez does a great job setting up a joke for the big punchline.
08:37And you remember how to video chat?
08:39Yes, yes, with the phone and the buttons and the agony.
08:42Thanks for being so understanding, Dad.
08:44I know you'll keep him safe.
08:46In a cast filled with zany personalities,
08:48her role as the straight woman provides the perfect balance
08:51to keep the story's emotional beats ringing true.
08:55Oh, I never did ask how you lost your mom.
08:58Oh, she was killed by angry humans.
09:00Number 13.
09:01Chan Tyrell.
09:02A rainy day in New York,
09:04Gomez is given a chance to really shine in this romantic comedy.
09:08Although she plays a supporting part in a stacked cast,
09:11her character Chan is one of its brightest spots.
09:14Cut.
09:14It's better.
09:16Josh, he's way too uptight to open up his mouth.
09:18Hey, are you still seeing that shrink?
09:20As the love interest of Timothee Chalamet's Gatsby Wells,
09:23Chan represents the main protagonist's hopes for renewed passion in life.
09:27Her presence signals a positive direction for the story each time she shows up.
09:32Now that I think of it, Chan, you always were around giving me the fish eye.
09:38You're just realizing this now?
09:41Mm-hmm.
09:43Mm-hmm.
09:44That's all you gotta say?
09:45You didn't think I was cute or attractive, anything?
09:48While Chan is designed to be likable,
09:50Gomez's magnetic performance brings a deeper dimension to the role.
09:54Showing solidarity with sexual harassment victims,
09:57Gomez later donated her salary to the Time's Up movement
10:00after allegations against director Woody Allen were raised.
10:04It's fall.
10:05By spring, I'll have you up to 10.
10:13Number 12.
10:14Madison.
10:15Neighbors 2.
10:16Sorority Rising.
10:17If you're lucky and you make the cut,
10:19you will be joining a sisterhood in making best friends for life.
10:24After surviving a neighborhood fraternity in the first film,
10:27Mack and Kelly Radner are shocked to discover that a sorority has taken its place.
10:32No, of course we party, stupid.
10:34We just do it at frats.
10:35The sorority in question springs up in spite of Phi Lambda,
10:39a pretentious and rule-filled group of girls led by Selena Gomez's Madison.
10:44We have all brand new feather duvets.
10:48And we got a new chef and we're going gluten-free.
10:52While she only has a brief role in the film, it's a good one.
10:55As Phi Lambda president,
10:57she plays a straight-laced sorority leader who doesn't believe in partying.
11:02Hi, what are you doing?
11:03Clad all in white, Gomez is the personification of purity,
11:07a brilliant contrast to the rambunctious and drug-fueled characters
11:11that round out the rest of the film.
11:13In the United States of America,
11:14sororities are not allowed to throw parties in their houses.
11:17Only frats can.
11:18Google it.
11:19Number 11.
11:20Alex Russo.
11:21Wizards of Waverly Place, the movie.
11:24One of these days, I'm gonna win the wizard competition
11:27and I'm gonna be the full wizard.
11:29Based on the popular television show,
11:31the film follows the magical Russo family as they vacation in the Caribbean.
11:36Reprising her role as Alex Russo,
11:38Gomez steps back into the character with ease.
11:40Though a surfboard I might be a mess on,
11:43my brother is in need of a lesson.
11:47Whoa!
11:53How do you slow down on this thing?
11:57Aimed at the tween demographic,
11:58the film is filled with exactly the kind of gags and one-liners you'd expect.
12:03Let me use the wand or I'll tell dad
12:05you really did take it without permission this time.
12:07Fine, then I'll tell dad you took the book.
12:10So? I'm not the good one.
12:11What separates this movie from others like it
12:13is the star power of a young Selena Gomez.
12:16The comedy drama made it clear
12:18that the young actress was on the cusp of breaking out,
12:20and within a few short years, that's exactly what she did.
12:24I'm jealous of how smart you are and how kind and how nice.
12:30Please don't leave me here.
12:32Number 10.
12:33Grace Ann Bennett and Cordelia Winthrop Scott.
12:36Monte Carlo.
12:38Hi, Amanda.
12:39Hi, guys.
12:43So we made it.
12:44Graduation.
12:47Do you mind if we order?
12:53Yeah.
12:53After one of them is mistaken for royalty,
12:56a trio of women vacationing in Europe travel to Monte Carlo,
13:00where they are tossed into a world of lavish parties,
13:02polo games, and romantic adventures.
13:05Gomez plays the woman mistaken for a British heiress,
13:08allowing her to flex her acting chops by playing two different characters.
13:12Merci.
13:14A light-hearted film that doesn't take itself too seriously,
13:17Gomez shines as per usual,
13:20creating a couple of characters that viewers can enjoy without much effort.
13:23Well, where else would I be than here in Monte Carlo,
13:27where I'm supposed to be at my ball.
13:29Antelicia.
13:30A slightly formulaic movie,
13:32the beautiful scenery and fun-loving plot are hard not to like.
13:36I may not deserve your help, but they do.
13:42Six million euros.
13:47I would like to bid six million euros for the necklace.
13:52Antelicia.
13:53On that young woman's neck.
13:56Whomever she may be.
13:57Number nine.
13:58Beatrice Beezus Quimby.
14:00Ramona and Beezus.
14:02Being about to do it and doing it.
14:04So santo chetre de veran, oui?
14:06When her family falls on hard times,
14:09Ramona, a young girl with an incredible imagination,
14:12her best to cope with the help of her big sister Beatrice.
14:15Gomez is cast as the older sibling,
14:17and feels right at home in this genuine and heartfelt film.
14:20The movie garnered considerable praise from critics,
14:23who felt it exemplified the positive qualities of a fun-loving flick
14:27without succumbing to the pitfalls of others like it.
14:30Ramona, I don't think making dinner is gonna distract mom from your hair.
14:35It's worth a shot.
14:39Quimby residence?
14:41Oh, hi Henry.
14:43Not sure if Beezus is available.
14:46Give it to me.
14:46She could be in the bath.
14:48Give it to me.
14:48Go away, you jerk.
14:50While Ramona and Beezus is a G-rated comedy,
14:53it served as a turning point in Gomez's acting career.
14:56I hope nobody I know sees us out here.
14:58We're so weird.
15:00Propelling her from television to the big screen.
15:03Don't worry, mom will be home soon.
15:04She'll know what to do.
15:06Number eight.
15:07Carter Mason.
15:08Princess Protection Program.
15:10You're supposed to be blending in.
15:12I am blending.
15:13Speaking fluent French in class,
15:15and eating hamburger like you're having tea with the queen.
15:18Well, how else should it be?
15:20Like this.
15:24It works.
15:27There you go.
15:28After her country is invaded,
15:30a princess must pretend to be an average American teen in Louisiana.
15:34Starring alongside fellow Disney vet Demi Lovato,
15:37Selena Gomez plays Carter,
15:39daughter to a princess protection agent and all-around tomboy.
15:43I order you to stop.
15:46You order me?
15:48You order me.
15:49I order you to take a long walk off a short pier.
15:52Gomez plays the more interesting of the two lead characters in this flick.
15:56She must teach the relocated princess how to act like a regular American high school student.
16:01What are you doing?
16:02I'm going to school.
16:03Bye guys.
16:04And you're supposed to act like a normal American girl.
16:05You're supposed to blend in.
16:07I'm trying.
16:07Try harder.
16:08In doing so, Gomez is afforded multiple opportunities to show her comedic range.
16:13The film does a great job of giving its budding stars room to act.
16:20Ultimately allowing Gomez and Lovato to demonstrate that they have what it takes
16:24to carry a teen genre film.
16:27You and me, the perfect team.
16:30Shaking at the seams.
16:32Wanting to save.
16:35Number 7.
16:36Mary Santiago.
16:38Another Cinderella story.
16:45In this modern version of the classic folk tale,
16:48Gomez plays the Cinderella-inspired lead character of Mary.
16:52Even though this film was a direct-to-DVD release,
16:54Gomez manages to make her star shine.
17:00We keep meeting like this.
17:03You, uh, you have shrimp in your hair.
17:06Come on.
17:07Thin characters and cheesy dialogue aside,
17:09the film benefits from the young actress's obvious talent as a singer and dancer.
17:14Justice is not a test.
17:16You put in work to be the best.
17:19It's a classic take on a brand new game.
17:22Before the needle drops, take a note your name.
17:24Films like this can be a dagger in the heart
17:26or a stepping stone towards bigger and better things.
17:29Gomez managed to use it as the latter,
17:32propelling her to stardom only a few short years later.
17:38Number 6.
17:39Mavis Dracula.
17:41Hotel Transylvania.
17:42You're not gonna believe this,
17:43but dad is letting me go out on my own to see a human village.
17:47After his wife dies, Count Dracula decides to open a hotel for monsters in Transylvania.
17:53Gomez plays the vampire's teenage daughter, Mavis.
17:56Dad, you said that when I turned 118,
17:59I could go out into the world like every other adult that gets to come and go from this hotel.
18:03But maybe, maybe it's not safe.
18:05Blah, blah, blah.
18:06Dad, 30 years ago you promised.
18:09I remember we were both eating mice
18:10and you specifically said that you gave me your work.
18:13As her father attempts to shield her from the outside world,
18:16the young vamp can't help but wonder what lies beyond the walls of the hotel.
18:20It was the big world.
18:21How was it out there?
18:23It was okay, dad.
18:24What?
18:25What's the matter?
18:26Dad, you were right.
18:28Humans are awful.
18:29They were everything you said.
18:31Gomez does an excellent job of matching the silliness
18:34and gag-a-minute nature of the film.
18:36Then again, it should hardly come as a surprise that the pop star
18:39feels comfortable behind a microphone.
18:41While the film is definitely aimed at a younger demographic,
18:45Gomez does her best to work with what she's given.
18:48Can we try that kiss over again?
18:50I think we can.
18:56Number 5.
18:57Faith, Spring Breakers.
19:00This is more than just Spring Break.
19:02This is our chance to see something different.
19:05When four girls head to St. Petersburg, Florida for spring break,
19:09they soon find themselves caught up in the dangerous lifestyle of an eccentric gangster.
19:14I don't like it here.
19:16What's wrong?
19:20This isn't why we came here.
19:22Touted as the film that would shed her good girl image,
19:25Gomez still manages to be the most wholesome character in the Black comedy.
19:30I know, mom.
19:30I'm sorry.
19:31I should have told you that I came.
19:33You've never let me go.
19:37I'm, I'm fine.
19:39Mom, I'm sorry.
19:41That being said, she pulls it off with ease.
19:43As Faith, she watches her friends delve deeper into the sex,
19:47drugs, and violence that characterize their new environment.
19:51Gomez does an excellent job of playing the reluctant observer,
19:54proving that she may not be bad to the bone,
19:57but definitely capable of handling more serious film roles.
20:00Number 4.
20:02Number 4.
20:03Dot.
20:04The Fundamentals of Caring.
20:05Cool f***ing sneakers.
20:12Mall.
20:12In search of a job that will help him cope with a recent loss,
20:16Ben becomes a caregiver to Trevor, a young man with muscular dystrophy.
20:20The two embark on a road trip that sees them pick up a hitchhiker named Dot,
20:24played by Selena Gomez.
20:26Your wife issued a court order against you?
20:29That's great.
20:29It's a funny and heartfelt film that benefits from a strong showing from all its cast members,
20:35with Gomez doing a fantastic job as the love interest to the morose Trevor.
20:40I told you I only date assholes.
20:42To be honest, it would be a tall task for anyone not to fall in love with Gomez's Dot,
20:48as the actress is as cute as ever in this quirky comedy.
20:52You know what you are?
21:00Handsome and cool.
21:02Number 3.
21:03Mabel Mora.
21:04Only Murders in the Building.
21:062,000 women report assaults here every year,
21:09so it's a place that makes you binge Dateline to find out how not to end up on Dateline.
21:13After numerous commercial successes,
21:16Only Murders in the Building marked Selena Gomez's greatest critical achievement yet.
21:21Earning Emmy and Golden Globe nominations,
21:24Gomez brings her absolute best as Mabel Mora.
21:27A week ago I saw Tim, the dead guy, at Bunny's apartment.
21:31Poop, she's out of the board.
21:32Okay, so he was asking her about a package of his that she got by mistake.
21:37Along with Martin Short and Steve Martin's characters,
21:41Mabel finds herself at the center of several murder mysteries.
21:44Serving as the wild card in the cast,
21:47this protagonist has much more to hide than she lets on.
21:50Oh, you fancy.
21:52Gomez's dynamic performance adds layers to Mabel's characterization,
21:56portraying a wide range of emotions with pitch-perfect accuracy.
22:00Have you ever been to Coney Island?
22:03What'd you do for fun as a kid?
22:07Oh yes, the adventures of a teenage grave robber.
22:10The show benefits from wonderful storytelling and Gomez's evolution as a performer,
22:16as Mabel's character stays fresh and interesting with each season's overarching mystery.
22:22I'm the kind of person that could stab someone in the subway and not even remember.
22:27Which means I could also be the sort of person
22:32to put a needle in the chest of a defenseless old woman.
22:36Number two.
22:37Jesse Del Monte.
22:38Emilia Perez.
22:41Singing is among Gomez's most recognizable skills,
22:44but she reaches a new level for this musical crime comedy.
22:52If you didn't know it before,
23:03you'll know now that our girl can really belt a tune.
23:16The story follows a former cartel leader after transitioning to become the titular character.
23:22Gomez plays the protagonist's wife, Jesse Del Monte.
23:26While the framing device has us sympathizing with Emilia,
23:29Jesse's arc draws us in too.
23:35Despite its darkly comedic style,
23:38Emilia Perez is a heart-touching tale of self-acceptance and living with the weight of our choices.
23:44Jesse serves as a poignant reminder to Emilia of what she's had to give up to live her truth.
23:49Leading into the film's themes of self-worth and loss.
23:58Before we continue, be sure to subscribe to our channel
24:01and ring the bell to get notified about our latest videos.
24:04You'll have the option to be notified for occasional videos or all of them.
24:07If you're on your phone, make sure you go into your settings and switch on notifications.
24:14Number one.
24:15Alex Russo.
24:16Wizards of Waverly Place.
24:20Yes, the character appears again on our list, but for good reason.
24:32Selena's performance as Alex Russo on the hit Disney Channel show, Wizards of Waverly Place,
24:38is that one role that helped the actress get her foot in the door
24:42and make a name for herself in the entertainment business.
24:45How do I look?
24:46Why?
24:47Because I'm going to duplicate myself and if I look ugly, I don't want to look twice as ugly.
24:51The show picked up multiple primetime Emmys for Outstanding Children's Program,
24:56and much of its success was due to the fact that there was a future Hollywood star in the cast.
25:01As Russo, Gomez was able to showcase her tremendous talent
25:04and keen ability to win over viewers.
25:07Mom, you do realize that if you go to my school looking like that,
25:10no one will ever talk to me again.
25:12While clearly meant for young teens,
25:14the sitcom was one of Disney Channel's most successful during its multiple year run.
25:18I'm sorry, I just, I got jealous.
25:24What do we do?
25:27I guess we have to break up.
25:30But we can still be close friends.
25:33There's no rules against that.
25:35Which performance makes you a hardcore Selenator?
25:38Let us know in the comments.
25:44Do you agree with our picks?
25:51Check out this other recent clip from Ms. Mojo,
25:54and be sure to subscribe and ring the bell to be notified about our latest videos.