Selena Gomez has created such a huge name for herself as a singer, big-screen actress, and style star that it's easy to forget that she got her start on the Disney Channel, playing the lead role of Alex Russo on Wizards of Waverly Place from 2008 to 2012. While Selena's journey has included its fair share of ups and downs, it's worth noting that the 27-year-old actress and singer just experienced a lot of the same things that many women in their 20s go through; friends coming and going, relationships falling apart (and rekindling), doing a little partying, and even getting tattoos. We're taking a look back at Selena's evolution from cute Disney kid to smokin' hot Hollywood star — scroll through to see the memorable moments.
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She walked the red carpet at the Anaheim, CA, premiere of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End.
Selena posed with Minnie Mouse at the Disneyland premiere of High School Musical 2 in Anaheim, CA.
A young Selena and Demi Lovato posed together at a Chevy event in LA.
Selena posed with a pair of young fans at an AIDS benefit event in LA.
At the Teen Choice Awards in LA, Selena met up with her pals Demi Lovato and Miley Cyrus.
Selena got glammed up for a night out with Jessica Alba at the ALMA Awards in LA.
Selena was all smiles during an autograph signing for Wizards of Waverly Place fans in NYC.
Selena stayed close to Taylor Swift at the LA premiere of Another Cinderella Story.
Selena launched the first ever Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF campaign in NYC.
Selena posed with a furry friend at the LA premiere of Hotel For Dogs.
Selena accepted the Teen Choice Award for choice Summer TV star at the ceremony in LA.
Selena and her Wizards of Waverly Place costars celebrated their outstanding children's program win at the Creative Emmy Awards.
Selena turned heads in a black dress at the Hollywood Style Awards in LA.
A young Selena and Justin Bieber hugged while attending New Year's Rockin' Eve in Las Vegas.
Selena teared up while accepting her trophy for favorite TV actress at the Kids' Choice Awards in LA.
Selena and her Ramona and Beezus costar Joey King promoted the film together at a Miami meet-and-greet event.
Selena sat front row with Kim Kardashian for the Beach Bunny Swimwear fashion show in Miami.
Selena seemed to be breaking out of her shell in a sexy silver dress at the MTV VMAs in LA.
Selena and Taylor Swift celebrated their respective People's Choice Award wins — favorite breakout artist and favorite country artist — backstage at the ceremony in LA.
A mature-looking Selena waved to her fans at the LA premiere of Justin Bieber: Never Say Never.
Selena and Justin Bieber had a very adult-looking date night at the Vanity Fair Oscars afterparty in LA.
She shared a sweet hug with Cory Monteith on the Kids' Choice Awards red carpet in LA.
Selena and Justin Bieber cuddled up in their seats at the Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas.
She showed some cleavage during a performance at KIIS FM's Wango Tango show in LA.
She kept the glamour going at the American Music Awards, where she and boyfriend Justin Bieber showed PDA on the red carpet.
Selena brought her mom, Mandy Teefey, as her lovely date to the Vanity Fair Oscars afterparty in LA.
She and on-again boyfriend Justin Bieber were on the Kiss Cam during an LA Lakers game.
Selena celebrated her 20th birthday on stage at the Teen Choice Awards in LA.
Selena stunned on the red carpet at her first Venice Film Festival, where she premiered Spring Breakers with Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Benson, Rachel Korine, James Franco, and director Harmony Korine.
Selena was the recipient of a Glamour woman of the year award at the annual ceremony in NYC.
She announced a global partnership with the Adidas NEO label at a big event in LA.
Selena went short and glitzy for the InStyle Golden Globes afterparty in LA.
Selena slipped into a sexy pantsuit and posed with her Spring Breakers costars Ashley Benson and Vanessa Hudgens at the film's premiere in Germany.
Selena showed off her figure at the SXSW screening of Spring Breakers in Austin.
She palled around with Katy Perry and Kristen Stewart at the Kids' Choice Awards in LA.
Selena caught some flak around the time her single "Come & Get It" was released in 2013; many groups found her wearing of bindis — as well as her Indian-inspired performance at the MTV Movie Awards — offensive.
Despite the backlash over her performance, Selena hit the stage in similar Indian-inspired garb at the Billboard Music Awards.
Taylor Swift and Selena matched their dresses for the MTV VMAs in NYC.
Selena walked the red carpet with Ethan Hawke at the LA premiere of their action flick, Getaway.
Selena relaxed in a bikini with friends during a break from her Stars Dance tour in Miami.
She showed off her silly side with a group of kids at a Salvation Army event in Texas.
To launch her supersexy cover for Flaunt magazine, Selena wore an equally sultry look at a party in her honor in Beverly Hills, CA.
She vamped things up during a performance at Z100's Jingle Ball in NYC.
Selena partied with the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow and Reese Witherspoon at the Stand Up to Cancer benefit event in LA.
Selena took home the Kids' Choice Award for favorite female singer at the annual ceremony in LA.
Selena wore a little black dress for the Alliance For Children's Rights dinner in LA.
Selena was the picture of a glamour girl at the American Ballet Opening Night Gala in NYC.
After going braless in NYC and sporting a bustier look, rumors swirled that Selena had gone under the knife.
Selena showed off her new tattoo while attending the Ischia Global Film and Music Festival in Italy.
Selena delivered a heart wrenching performance of her single "The Heart Wants What It Wants" at the American Music Awards.
Selena stole the show at the Met Gala in a backless white Vera Wang gown. It's official, folks: she's all grown up.
Selena joined Taylor Swift and the rest of the "Bad Blood" video squad on the red carpet at the MTV VMAs.
The singer outshone the models at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show when she took the stage and delivered an amazing performance of her hit songs, "Can't Keep my Hands to Myself" and "My Girls."
Selena and Taylor made the cutest pair when they showed up to the Grammy Awards together.
After kicking off her Revival Tour, the star celebrated with a sexy night out in Sin City.
Selena stunned in a fiery red dress at the American Music Awards in LA.
Selena sported a shimmery orange ensemble at the LA premiere of Netflix's 13 Reasons Why.
Attending the Comme des Garçons-inspired Met Gala, Selena rocked a breezy gown with floral details.
By the end of 2017, Selena had a new blonde 'do, which she showed off during a visit to Kiss FM Studio in London.
Selena sported her classic wispy bangs while attending the Coach 1941 show during New York Fashion Week.
Selena was all smiles at a photo call for Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation in Culver City, CA.
Selena looked bright and radiant at the premiere of Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation in LA.
Selena kept her look simple and classy with a Dior dress at WE Day in LA.
Selena emanated pure elegance at the Cannes Film Festival screening of The Dead Don't Die.
Selena modeled a fun feathery number at the NYC premiere of The Dead Don't Die.
Selena looked like a million bucks on the AMA Awards red carpet in NYC.
Selena stunned in a pink and black outfit at Dolittle's star-studded LA premiere.
Selena was a walking fantasy as she rocked a blush cape dress at the Hollywood Beauty Awards.