2. Teen Choice
A sweet Selena was seen on the, uh, grass carpet at the 2007 Teen Choice Awards. She wasn't even nominated that year, but she went on to win 3 statues in 2009! At this point in her career her new show was just getting off the ground and she had starred in a few episodes of Hannah Montana.
3. Giving Back
Ms. Gomez has always made it a point to give back. Here she was at the A Time for Heroes Celebrity Carnival in 2008, and that year she also participated in the UR Votes Count campaign, helped a dog rescue charity and also became an ambassador of DoSomething.org.
4. Movie Making
Selena Gomez's first movie roles came in 2008. She appeared in Another Cinderella Story and voiceover in Horton Hears a Who!, AND landed on Forbes' "Eight Hot Kid Stars to Watch" list. It was definitely a standout year.
5. Winner Winner
Selena won an Alma Award for Outstanding Female Performance in a Comedy Television Series in 2008. She wore this sophisticated award on her big night, and even posed with Jessica Alba during the show!
6. Selena Sings
Selena's music career was set in motion in 2008. She recorded a cover of "Cruella de Vil" for the DisneyMania 6 album, and sang a song for the animated film Tinker Bell. Then, she signed a recording deal with Hollwood Records!
7. Strictly Business
Selena isn't just a singer and actress, she's a businesswoman! In October 2008 she began her own production company, July Moon Productions. While other tween stars are out partying and making the headlines, Selena's hard at work.
8. Famous Friends
Selena has some way famous friends, including Hilary and Haylie Duff, Taylor Swift, Demi Lovato (although they had a falling out), and more! These Hollywood gals have to stick together, you know.
9. Bangin'
Selena Gomez is pretty consistent with her sweet, sophisticated look, but she got a bit daring in late 2008 with some severe bangs and some shorter locks. We have to say we prefer her softer side, but it's always fun to change things up once in a while!
10. Short and Sweet
Here's another new 'do for this Disney darlin'. She went for shoulderlength locks during the summer of 2009, briefly. Before too long she was back to her long, loose waves. At this point in her career she was about to launch her own fashion line and her band Selena & the Scene was taking off!
Wizards of Waverly Place! Selena and the crew won an Emmy for Outstanding Children's Program in 2009, and here they are celebrating the victory. This is one for the books.
12. Award Winner
Selena really racked up the statues in 2009. She got 3 Teen Choice Awards, an Alma Award, Young Artist Award, AND Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award all that year. She also signed on for the lead role in Ramona & Beezus early last year.
13. A Helping Hand
Selena became the youngest-ever UNICEF Ambassador in August 2009. She traveled to Ghana for a week as part of her duties and when she came back she said she was happy to use her star power for a good cause. She raised over $700,000 for the charity in 2008.
14. BFFs
Selena and Taylor Swift are the best of friends these days, though we're pretty sure their hectic schedules don't allow much in-person girl time. But, they just recently met up in Italy, where they ate gelato and looked adorable. Here they were at the Hope for Haiti telethon in early 2010.
15. Young Love
Selena and Nick Jonas dated for a bit of 2008, then they got back together for about a month in early 2010 before going their separate ways. Apparently their crazy schedules just got to be too much. It happens a lot in Hollywood.
16. Loves It!
Selena always has a smile, and that's one of the many things we love about the tween star. She always has time to pose for the cameras or with a fan. You can't get her down!
Selena landed a major movie in 2010: Monte Carlo. The film also stars Leighton Meester and Katie Cassidy, and it's sure to be a big hit. The gals had a blast filming in Europe over the summer!
19. Sexy Selena
The 18-year-old showed her sexier side at the 2010 VMAs. She wore this daring silver number and definitely got people talking. At least she was wearing pants, unlike some of her peers!
20. Ready to Rock
Nothing says holiday cheer like Disneyland, snow, and Selena! She performed at the happiest place on Earth for the park's annual Christmas parade this year and put everyone in a festive spirit. Keep up the good work, Selena! We're expecting to see a whole lot more of you in 2011.
