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Selena Gomez | SmartLess

By Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, Will Arnett

Join Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, and Sean Hayes on "SmartLess" as they delve into the multifaceted world of their guest, Selena Gomez, who shares her journey from a child star on "Barney & Friends" to a pop sensation and acclaimed actress. In this episode, Selena recounts her early beginnings, her rise to fame with Disney's "Wizards of Waverly Place," and the blossoming of her music career paralleling her acting pursuits. Her insights reveal the dedication required to maintain success across different creative mediums and foreshadow a deeper dive into acting that might dominate her future endeavors.

Selena Gomez doesn't shy away from the tougher aspects of life in the limelight, opening up about her personal challenges with mental health and how they have shaped her path. As a mental health advocate, she discusses the importance of authenticity and shares how embracing her true self has been a guiding principle in both her advocacy and career choices. Her story isn't just about entertainment; it's a testament to her resilience and the power of laughing through the pain, as well as her commitment to choosing work that resonates with her genuine self, setting an example for her fans and peers in the industry.

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Selena Gomez | SmartLess

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Selena Gomez | SmartLess

1-Page Summary

Selena Gomez's Early Career

Selena Gomez began her acting career on the children's show "Barney & Friends" when she was just seven years old. Her role on "Barney" proved foundational, establishing her path in the entertainment industry. She later achieved her breakout role as Alex Russo on Disney Channel's "Wizards of Waverly Place," catapulting her to stardom. During her time on the show, Selena didn't confine her talents to acting; she concurrently launched her music career, releasing albums and demonstrating her abilities as a versatile artist.

Balancing Music and Acting Careers

Selena Gomez has successfully juggled careers in both acting and music, striking a balance between the demands of these two worlds. She has enjoyed both the rigors of acting and the excitement of live music performances, but she hints at a possible shift towards acting in the future. Despite her love for touring and connecting with fans through music, she envisions focusing more on her acting pursuits, with an intention to create another album before fully committing to the cinematic path.

Mental Health Struggles

Openly discussing mental health, Selena Gomez has shared her struggles with anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. She once took time off to attend a mental health treatment facility, canceling a tour to prioritize her wellbeing. The decision underscored her dedication to her health, and she has since been transparent about these challenges, even documenting her journey to foster connection with others facing similar battles. In coping with her mental health struggles, Selena employs humor, which she finds helpful in managing difficult situations.

Advocacy and Authenticity

Through her career, Selena Gomez has consistently emphasized authenticity, a principle that she maintains in both her advocacy efforts and professional projects. During the pandemic, she launched her cosmetics line, Rare Beauty, prioritizing individual expression and authenticity over competition. Her commitment to genuine connection is evident in her approach to discussing mental health with her fan base. She remains choosy about her acting roles, only connecting with parts that feel true to her identity. Selena values earning roles through merit, rather than popularity, signifying her dedication to an authentic and honest career path.

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Selena Gomez began her acting career on the children's show "Barney & Friends" at the age of seven, where she gained early experience in the entertainment industry. Her breakout role came as Alex Russo on Disney Channel's "Wizards of Waverly Place," a show that propelled her to fame and showcased her acting abilities to a wider audience. These roles were pivotal in shaping Selena's career trajectory, leading to opportunities in both acting and music.
  • Selena Gomez has pursued both acting and music careers simultaneously throughout her professional journey. She gained fame through her acting roles on television, notably on Disney Channel, while also releasing music albums and showcasing her talents as a singer. Despite her success in both fields, she has hinted at a potential shift towards focusing more on acting in the future. Selena has managed to balance the demands of both careers, showcasing her versatility as an artist.
  • Selena Gomez has been open about her challenges with anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder, sharing her experiences to raise awareness and reduce stigma around mental health issues. She has taken breaks from her career to prioritize her well-being and seek professional help when needed. By speaking out about her struggles, Selena aims to connect with others facing similar challenges and promote conversations about mental health. She uses humor and openness as coping mechanisms to navigate and manage her mental health journey.
  • Selena Gomez launched Rare Beauty, a cosmetics line, to promote self-expression and authenticity. The brand focuses on empowering individuals to embrace their unique qualities through makeup. Rare Beauty's mission is to encourage people to feel confident and comfortable in their skin, emphasizing inner beauty and self-acceptance. Selena's vision for the brand is to create a safe space for people to explore and celebrate their individuality through beauty products.
  • Selena Gomez's emphasis on earning acting roles based on merit rather than popularity highlights her commitment to selecting roles that align with her artistic vision and personal values. This approach signifies her dedication to choosing projects that resonate with her creatively and allow her to showcase her skills as an actress. By prioritizing the quality and substance of roles over their potential commercial success, Gomez aims to maintain authenticity and integrity in her career choices. This approach also reflects her desire to be recognized for her talent and craft rather than solely for her fame or public image.

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Selena Gomez | SmartLess

Selena Gomez's Early Career

Selena Gomez began her journey to stardom at a young age, with her first role on television being on the children's show Barney & Friends at age 7.

Beginning with Barney at age 7

Selena got her first job at age 7, her inaugural foray into the world of acting, which saw her appearing alongside the friendly purple dinosaur known as Barney. This early experience on Barney would set the stage for her future in entertainment.

Starring on Disney's Wizards of Waverly Place

Her experiences as a child actress paved the way for her breakout role as Alex Russo on the Disney Channel hit series Wizards of Waverly Place. This show, which centered around a family of wizards living in New York City, became a launchpad for Selena's career, cementing her status as a Disney Channel star.

Releasing music albums dur ...

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Selena Gomez's Early Career

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Selena Gomez's early career began with her role on the children's show Barney & Friends at age 7, where she gained her first experience in acting. This opportunity laid the foundation for her future in the entertainment industry. She later starred as Alex Russo on the Disney Channel series Wizards of Waverly Place, a role that propelled her to stardom and solidified her status as a Disney Channel star. Concurrently, she also ventured into music, releasing albums that showcased her vocal talents alongside her acting career, demonstrating her versatility as a performer.
  • Selena Gomez's early acting experiences, starting with her role on Barney & Friends at age 7, laid the foundation for her future in entertainment by providing her with valuable on-screen experience and exposure to the industry at a young age. These early roles helped her develop her skills and confidence, setting her on a path towards more significant opportunities in acting and music ...

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Selena Gomez | SmartLess

Balancing Music and Acting Careers

Selena opens up about the challenges and joys of maintaining dual careers in music and acting, and how her focus may shift in the future.

Enjoying success in both and trying to keep up

Selena has enjoyed success in both her music and acting careers. Despite the hard work required to excel in two demanding industries, she has managed to keep up with the different rhythms and commitments that each one entails.

Finding touring and live performing fun

While she has achieved considerable accomplishments in both fields, Selena finds particular enjoyment in the immediacy and energy of touring and live performances in her music career. This aspect of her work has been fun and rewarding, offering her a unique connection with audiences.

...

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Balancing Music and Acting Careers

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Counterarguments

  • While Selena has succeeded in both music and acting, it's possible that her success in one industry may overshadow her achievements in the other, leading to a perception that she is more talented or successful in one field over the other.
  • The hard work required to maintain dual careers might lead to burnout or a decline in the quality of work in one or both fields, as the individual may not have enough time to dedicate to both.
  • Although Selena enjoys touring and live performances, these activities can be physically and mentally exhausting, and the enjoyment might not fully mitigate the potential negative impacts on her health and personal life.
  • The unique connection with audiences during live performances is subjective and may not be as fulfilling or important to every artist; some may find studio work or the creative process more rewarding.
  • Focusing ...

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Selena Gomez | SmartLess

Mental Health Struggles

Selena Gomez openly discusses her journey navigating mental health issues, the impact on her career, and the strategies she uses to cope, such as humor and transparency.

Dealing with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder

Selena Gomez acknowledges her struggles with depression and anxiety and reveals that she is bipolar. She has experienced mental health challenges including depression and had to face these issues head-on. Selena recalls having a panic attack during an interview when she was around 21 years old due to worries about public perception. Jason Bateman can relate to such experiences, understanding how panic can escalate with the concern that others might notice.

Attending mental health treatment centers

Selena mentions that there was a time when she had to visit a mental health institution. The visit was necessary enough that she canceled one of her tours, citing the need for the cancellation being that her work was becoming a distraction from confronting "bad things."

Canceling tours to prioritize health

In prioritizing her mental health, Selena Gomez took the significant step of canceling her tour, demonstrating her commitment to addressing her mental health struggles. Her openness extends to the public realm, as she released a documentary focusing on her mental health. This candid portrayal allowed her to connect with other ...

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Mental Health Struggles

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Selena Gomez has been open about her struggles with anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. She has faced challenges such as panic attacks and has sought treatment at mental health institutions. Gomez has prioritized her mental health by canceling tours and using humor and transparency as coping mechanisms. Her willingness to share her experiences has helped her connect with others facing similar mental health battles.
  • Selena Gomez canceled a tour to prioritize her mental health, recognizing the importance of addressing her struggles. This decision highlighted her commitment to self-care and well-being over professional obligations. By openly discussing this choice, she aimed to raise awareness about mental health challenges and the importance of seeking help when needed. The cancellation of the tour allowed her to focus on her mental health journey and take the necessary steps towards healing.
  • Selena Gomez's visit to a mental health institution was a significant moment in her mental health journey. It was a decision made to prioritize her well-being and seek professional help for her mental health struggles. This step highlighted the seriousness with which she approached her mental health challenges and the importance of seeking appropriate care when needed.
  • Using humor as a coping mechanism for mental health challenges involves finding lig ...

Counterarguments

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Selena Gomez | SmartLess

Advocacy and Authenticity

Selena Gomez navigates her career with a commitment to authenticity, openly discussing mental health to connect with fans and focusing on sincerity in her work.

Launching Rare Beauty during the pandemic

Selena Gomez successfully launched her cosmetics line, Rare Beauty, during the COVID-19 pandemic. She expresses gratitude for its unexpected success and credits her values for not aiming to be number one, values instilled in her by her mother. The brand benefitted from an online approach during a time when makeup and video content creation became increasingly popular.

Discussing her latest endeavors, Selena shares her excitement about an upcoming collection for Rare Beauty which she believes will be significant. The products emphasize individuality and fun, rather than heavy makeup use, and aim to differ from existing offerings in the beauty market.

Discussing mental health openly to connect with fans

Amidst the pressures of a public life, Selena hints at emotional challenges stemming from a lack of privacy and reflects on just being herself, separate from her public persona. Jason Bateman acknowledges that many admire her for her honesty, alluding to her openness about her personal issues.

Selena emphasizes the importance of authenticity, stating that she cannot be anyone other than herself. This genuine approach has endeared her to her audience, resonating with them and contributing to her continued success.

Focusi ...

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Advocacy and Authenticity

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Rare Beauty, a cosmetics line founded by Selena Gomez, stands out in the beauty market for its emphasis on individuality and fun over heavy makeup use. The brand's online approach during the pandemic aligned well with the rise of makeup and video content creation trends. Selena's commitment to authenticity and sincerity in her work is reflected in Rare Beauty's mission to offer products that resonate with consumers seeking a more personal and inclusive beauty experience. The brand's success and impact stem from its unique positioning and Selena's genuine connection with her audience through her openness about mental health and personal struggles.
  • Selena Gomez's commitment to authenticity is a core principle that guides her career decisions. She prioritizes roles and projects that align with her true self, refusing to c ...

Counterarguments

  • While Selena Gomez may strive for authenticity, it can be argued that the very act of discussing personal issues publicly is a form of self-marketing that can benefit her brand and public image.
  • The success of Rare Beauty during the pandemic could be partially attributed to the overall increase in online shopping and the beauty industry's resilience, not solely on Selena's values or approach.
  • Emphasizing individuality and fun in a cosmetics line is not unique to Rare Beauty; many brands have similar marketing strategies that focus on self-expression and the lighter side of makeup.
  • The concept of authenticity in the entertainment industry is complex, and some might argue that every public figure has to maintain a certain persona that may not fully align with their private self.
  • Being choosy with roles and fig ...

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