Selena Gomez is a professional actress.
Selena Marie Gomez ( [ səˈliːnə_məˈɹiː_ˈɡoʊmɛz ] ; [ seˈlena ˈɣomes ] ; born July 22 , 1992 ) is an American actress and singer . Having appeared in the children 's television series Barney & Friends while growing up , she rose to fame playing the role of Alex Russo on the Disney Channel series Wizards of Waverly Place ( 2007 -- 2012 ) .