Selena Gomez facts that will truly shock you

Selena Gomez has been in the spotlight for years. From Disney Channel to a globally celebrated artist, she has built a career full of milestones.

Not only is the 33-year-old star a singer and an actress but she is also a producer, a business woman and a mental health advocate.

Whether you followed her story since her time on Wizards of Waverly Place or just became a fan, these facts will help you know more about your favourite celebrity.

Got her start on 'Barney and Friends'

Yes, you read that right, in the early 2000s Selena starred in Barney and Friends. Long before becoming one of the world’s biggest superstars, topping charts and winning awards, she was singing and dancing alongside the purple dinosaur we all know and loved.

On the same set, Selena also crossed paths with Demi Lovato, who also appeared on the show. Later down the line the two sparked a friendship that lasted for their teen years, but just like any other friendship, over time their friendship also fizzeled out.

First Kiss

Selena has spent a good amount of her childhood on-screen so it doesn’t come as a surprise that her first kiss also happened to be on-screen. So, believe it or not, but her very first kiss actually happened with Dylan Sprouse when she was guest starring on Suite Life of Zack & Cody.

At the time of her on-screen kiss only 12-years-old but later revealed her first real-life kiss happened when she was 14-years-old.

Recalling her kiss with Dylan, the Who Says hitmaker described it as one of the "worst days of her life" because of how awkward it was and also because at the time she had a crush on Dylan’s twin brother Cole Sprouse, as per Elle.

Named after a music leged

On season 2 of Selena + Chef, the pop-star opened up about the story behind her name, revealing that initially her parents had picked out another name for her.

"I'm actually named after Selena Quintanilla," she shared. "It gives me goosebumps sometimes because I was obsessed with Selena. I knew everything about her. I was just such a fan. My real name was going to be Priscilla, and my dad said, 'No. I want her name to be Selena."'

Selena’s more than a star: She's an exec producer as well

Selena served as the executive producer for Netflix’s original series 13 Reasons Why, calling it a "passion project."

Dylan Minnette, who played Clay Jensen on it, once reflected on his time on set with the star, recalling a memorable day when the Back to You hitmaker dropped by on set.

"She stayed with us the whole day on set and talked to everyone. She took us out to dinner and saw a movie with us, and we hung out with her. I don’t think I can emphasise how generous she is and how genuinely she cares," he shared as per Popsugar.

Entrepreneurial mind

Aside from her famous and best-selling cosmetic brand Rare, the Single Soon hitmaker had also ventured into fashion with her 2010 clothing line 'Dream Out Loud.'

Her best friend saved her life

In summer of 2017, Selena Gomez underwent a kidney transplant as part of her battle with Lupus.

Later sharing in a heartfelt Instagram post, the Only Murders in the Building actress revealed that it was her best friend Francia Raisa who donated the kidney, calling the incredible gesture as the "ultimate gift."

One of Selena’s emotional hits was written in less than an hour

Selena’s top charting hit song Lose You to Love Me came together in 45 minutes and earned a spot on the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 1.

Opening up about making the song, she explained on the Apple original film Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me, saying, "I texted Julia Michaels and Justin Tranter and said, 'I'm ready to just say I'm sad."

She then revealed that the hit song that came out in 2019 was "the fastest song she had ever written."

Named her kidney after 'Saturday Night Live' star

Selena has been candid about her journey with lupus diagnosis, which led her to get a kidney transplant in 2017.

Despite that, the icon maintained a cheerful and upbeat attitude, going so far as to jokingly naming her kidney after comedian Fred Armisen.

During her appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, she playfully shared, "As a way of coping, I thought I would name it."

"It's weird, I know, but I did. And I named it after Fred Armisen. Because I love 'Portlandia,' and I love everything he does. And so I'm like, 'Hey watch Fred, guys,' you know?"