Round 2 may refer to:

• Round 2 (J. Holiday album), 2009
• Round 2 (The Stylistics album), 1972

This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the same title. If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article.

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Not to be confused with Julie Roberts or Juliet Roberts. For the British Home Shopping host, see Julia Roberts (QVC presenter).

Julia Roberts
Roberts at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival premiere of Jesus Henry Christ
Born	Julia Fiona Roberts (1967-10-28) October 28, 1967 (age 44) Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1987–present
Religion	Hindu
Spouse	Lyle Lovett (m. 1993–1995; divorced) Daniel Moder (m. 2002–present; 3 children)
Family	Eric Roberts (brother) Lisa Roberts Gillan (sister) Emma Roberts (niece)

Julia Fiona Roberts (born October 28, 1967) is an American actress. She became a Hollywood star after headlining the romantic comedy Pretty Woman (1990), which grossed $464 million worldwide. After receiving Golden Globe Awards and Academy Award nominations for Steel Magnolias (1989) and Pretty Woman, she won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in Erin Brockovich (2000). Her films My Best Friend's Wedding (1997), Mystic Pizza (1988), Notting Hill (1999), Runaway Bride (1999), Valentine's Day (2010), The Pelican Brief (1993), Ocean's Eleven (2001), and Ocean's Twelve (2004) have collectively brought box office receipts of over $2.4 billion, making her one of the most successful actresses in terms of box office receipts.^[1]

Roberts had become one of the highest-paid actresses in the world, topping the Hollywood Reporter's annual "power list" of top-earning female stars from 2005 to 2006. Her fee for 1990's Pretty Woman was $300,000;^[2] in 2003, she was paid an unprecedented $25 million for her role in Mona Lisa Smile (2003). As of 2010, Roberts's net worth was estimated to be $140 million.^[3]

Roberts has been named one of People magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People in the World" eleven times, tied with Halle Berry. In 2011, she was named one of the "100 Hottest Women of All-Time" by Men's Health.^[4] In 2001, Ladies Home Journal ranked her as the 11th most powerful woman in the United States, ahead of then national security advisor Condoleezza Rice and former first lady Laura Bush.^{[5][clarification needed][dead link]} Roberts has a production company called Red Om Films.

Early life and family[link]

Roberts was born in Atlanta, Georgia, at Crawford Long Hospital (now Emory University Hospital Midtown), to Betty Lou (née Bredemus) and Walter Grady Roberts.^[6][7] She is of English, Scottish, Irish, Welsh, German, and Swedish descent.^[8][9] Her parents were Baptist and Catholic,^[10] and she was raised Catholic.^[11][12] Her older brother, Eric Roberts (from whom she was estranged until 2004), sister, Lisa Roberts Gillan, and niece, Emma Roberts, also are actors. Julia's parents, one-time actors and playwrights, met while performing theatrical productions for the armed forces. They later co-founded the Atlanta Actors and Writers Workshop in Atlanta, Georgia, off Juniper Street in Midtown. While her mother was pregnant with Julia, she and her husband ran an acting school for children in Decatur, Georgia. The children of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King attended the school. As a thank-you for their service, Mrs. King paid the hospital bill when Julia's mother gave birth to Julia.^[13] Julia's mother filed for divorce in 1971 with the divorce being finalized early in 1972.^[14] Roberts lived in Smyrna, in 1972, where she attended Fitzhugh Lee Elementary School, Griffin Middle School, and Campbell High School.^[15] Her mother married Michael Motes and had a daughter, Nancy Motes, in 1976. Julia's father died of cancer when she was ten.^[16]

Roberts wanted to be a veterinarian as a child. She played clarinet in the band in school. After graduating from Smyrna's Campbell High School, she headed to New York to pursue a career in acting. Once there, she signed with the Click Modeling Agency and enrolled in acting classes.

Career[link]

1986–1989[link]

Roberts made her first big screen appearance in the film Satisfaction (1988), released on February 12, 1988, alongside Liam Neeson and Justine Bateman, as a band member looking for a summer gig. She had previously performed a small role opposite her brother, Eric, in Blood Red (1986) (she has two words of dialogue), filmed in 1987 and released in 1989. Her first television appearance was as a juvenile rape victim in the initial season of the series Crime Story with Dennis Farina, in the episode titled "The Survivor", broadcast on February 13, 1987. Her first critical success with moviegoers was her performance in the independent film Mystic Pizza in 1988;^[17] that same year, she had a role in the fourth season finale of Miami Vice. In 1989, she was featured in Steel Magnolias, as a young bride with diabetes, and received both her first Academy Award nomination (as Best Supporting Actress) and first Golden Globe Award win (Motion Picture Best Supporting Actress) for her performance.^[17]

Roberts in 1990

1990–2000[link]

Roberts became known to worldwide audiences when she co-starred with Richard Gere in the Cinderella/Pygmalionesque story, Pretty Woman, in 1990.^[17] Roberts won the role after Michelle Pfeiffer, Molly Ringwald, Meg Ryan, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Karen Allen, and Daryl Hannah (her co-star in Steel Magnolias) all turned it down.^[18] The role also earned her a second Oscar nomination, this time as Best Actress, and second Golden Globe Award win, as Motion Picture Best Actress (Musical or Comedy).^[17] Her next box office success was the thriller Sleeping with the Enemy, playing a battered wife who escapes her abusive husband, played by Patrick Bergin, and begins a new life in Iowa. She played Tinkerbell in Steven Spielberg's Hook in 1991, and also played a nurse in the 1991 film, Dying Young. This work was followed by a two-year hiatus, during which she made no films other than a cameo appearance in Robert Altman's The Player (1992). In early 1993, she was the subject of a People magazine cover story asking, "What Happened to Julia Roberts?"^[19] She was offered the role of Annie Reed in Sleepless in Seattle (1993), but turned it down.^[20]

Roberts co-starred with Denzel Washington in The Pelican Brief (1993), based on John Grisham's 1992 novel of the same name.^[17] In 1996, she appeared in season 2 of Friends (episode 13 "The One After the Superbowl"). Roberts recorded her scenes from January 6–8, 1996.^[21] She had a relationship with cast member Matthew Perry at the time,^{[22][23][24][25]} and an audience member said about their on-screen kiss, "Julia looked at Matt and said 'I'm glad we rehearsed this over the weekend'."^[26] She was offered the role of Lucy Eleanor Moderatz in While You Were Sleeping (1995), but also turned it down.^[20]

Roberts co-starred with Liam Neeson in Michael Collins (1996).^[17] Over the next few years, she starred in Stephen Frears' Mary Reilly (1996), followed by My Best Friend's Wedding in 1997. In 1998, she appeared on Sesame Street opposite the character Elmo, demonstrating her ability to change emotions. She was offered the role of Viola de Lesseps in Shakespeare in Love (1998), but turned it down.^[20] She starred with Hugh Grant in Notting Hill (1999). That same year she also starred in Runaway Bride, her second film with Richard Gere. Roberts was a guest star on the Law & Order television series episode "Empire" with series regular Benjamin Bratt (at that time her boyfriend). She earned an nomination for Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series.^[27] Also in 1999 she starred in the critically panned film Stepmom (1998) alongside Susan Sarandon.^[28]

Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Matt Damon, Andy García, Julia, cast of Ocean's Eleven along with director Steven Soderbergh in December 2001

2001–2005[link]

In 2001 Roberts received the Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Erin Brockovich, who helped wage a successful lawsuit against energy giant Pacific Gas & Electric. While presenting the Best Actor Award to Denzel Washington the following year she made a gaffe, saying she was glad that Tom Conti wasn't there. She meant the conductor, Bill Conti, who had tried to hasten the conclusion of her Oscar speech the previous year, but instead named the Scottish actor.^[29] Roberts teamed with Erin Brockovich director Steven Soderbergh for three more films: Ocean's Eleven (2001), Full Frontal (2002), and Ocean's Twelve (2004). Later in 2001 she starred in the road gangster comedy, The Mexican, giving her a chance to work with long-time friend, Brad Pitt. In 2005 she was featured in the music video for the hit single "Dreamgirl" by the Dave Matthews Band; it was her first music video appearance.^[30]

2006–present[link]

Roberts had two films released in 2006, The Ant Bully and Charlotte's Web. Both films were animated features for which she provided voice acting. Her next film was Charlie Wilson's War (2007), with Tom Hanks and Philip Seymour Hoffman, directed by Mike Nichols and based on the book by former CBS journalist George Crile; it was released on December 21, 2007. Fireflies in the Garden (2008), also starring Ryan Reynolds and Willem Dafoe, was released at the Berlin International Film Festival in February 2008 and was subsequently shown in European cinemas; it did not get a North American release until 2011.

Deployed troops show Julia Roberts the controls of an F-15.

Roberts made her Broadway debut on April 19, 2006 as Nan in a revival of Richard Greenberg's 1997 play Three Days of Rain opposite Bradley Cooper and Paul Rudd. Although the play grossed nearly US$1 million dollars in ticket sales during its first week^[31] and was a commercial success throughout its limited run, her performance drew criticism. New York Times' critic Ben Brantly described her as being fraught with "self-consciousness (especially in the first act) [and] only glancingly acquainted with the two characters she plays."^[32] Brantley also criticized the production of "Greenberg's slender, elegant play," writing that “it's almost impossible to discern its artistic virtues from this wooden and splintered interpretation, directed by Joe Mantello."^[32] Three Days of Rain received two Tony Award nominations in stagecraft categories. In 2009, Lancôme announced that Roberts would become their global ambassador for their company.^[33] Julia starred with Clive Owen in the comedy-thriller Duplicity for which she received her seventh Golden Globe nomination. In 2010, she appeared in the ensemble romantic comedy Valentine's Day, with Cooper, and starred in the film adaptation of Eat Pray Love. Eat Pray Love^[34] had the highest debut at the box office for Roberts in a top-billed role since America's Sweethearts.^[35] Later in the year, she signed a five-year extension with Lancôme for GB£32 million (US$50 million).^[36] In 2011, she co-starred as Mercedes Tainot opposite Tom Hanks who directed and played the title role in the romantic comedy Larry Crowne.^[37] The movie has received generally bad reviews with only 35% of the 175 Rotten Tomatoes reviews giving it high ratings,^[38] although Roberts' comedic performance was praised.^[39] Roberts appeared in the 2012 Tarsem Singh adaptation of Snow White, called Mirror Mirror, playing the Evil Queen.^[40]

American Girl films[link]

Roberts has brought to life some of the books from American Girl as films, serving as executive producer alongside her sister Lisa. The company's product lines and services are focused on pre-teen-girl characters from various periods of American history, embodied as dolls and featured in narratives including books and movies. Roberts has produced four movies.^[41]

Personal life[link]

Relationships[link]

Julia Roberts in Paris, September 2010

Roberts has reportedly had romantic relationships with actors Jason Patric, Liam Neeson, Dylan McDermott, and Matthew Perry.^[42][43][44] She was briefly engaged to actor Kiefer Sutherland; they broke up three days before their scheduled wedding on 11 June 1991. On June 25, 1993, she married country singer Lyle Lovett; the wedding took place at St. James Lutheran Church in Marion, Indiana.^[45] They separated in March 1995 and subsequently divorced.^[46] From 1998 to 2001, Roberts dated actor Benjamin Bratt.^[47]

Roberts and her husband, cameraman Daniel Moder, met on the set of her film The Mexican in 2000, while she was still dating Bratt. At the time, Moder was married to Vera Steimberg. He filed for divorce a little over a year later, and after it was finalized, he and Roberts wed on July 4, 2002, at her ranch in Taos, New Mexico.^[48] Together, they have three children: twins Hazel Patricia Moder and Phinnaeus "Finn" Walter Moder (born November 28, 2004) and Henry Daniel Moder (born June 18, 2007).^[49]

Beliefs[link]

Roberts disclosed in a 2010 interview for Elle magazine that she believes in and practices Hinduism.^[50][51][52] Roberts is a devotee of Neem Karoli Baba (Maharaj-ji). A picture of Neem Karoli Baba drew Roberts to Hinduism.^[53]

Charities[link]

Roberts has given her time and resources to UNICEF as well as to other charitable organizations. On May 10, 1995, Roberts arrived in Port-au-Prince, as she said, "to educate myself".^[54][55] The poverty she found was overwhelming. "My heart is just bursting", she said.^[54] UNICEF officials hoped that her six-day visit would trigger an outburst of giving: $10 million in aid was sought at the time.^[54][55]

In 2000, Roberts narrated Silent Angels, a documentary about Rett syndrome, a neurodevelopmental disorder, which was shot in Los Angeles, Baltimore and New York. The documentary was designed to help raise public awareness about the disease. In July 2006, Earth Biofuels announced Roberts as a spokeswoman for the company and as chair of the company's newly formed Advisory Board promoting the use of renewable fuels.

Filmography[link]

References[link]

Notes

Further reading

• Mark Bego. Julia Rica's Sweetheart (New York: AMI Books, 2003)
• Paul Donnelley. Julia Roberts Confidential: The Unauthorised Biography (London: Virgin, 2003)
• Frank Sanello. Julia Roberts: Pretty Superstar (Edinburgh: Mainstream 2000)
• James Spada. Julia: Her Life (New York: St Martin's Press, 2004)

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Julia Roberts

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Julia Roberts

• Julia Roberts at the Internet Movie Database
• Julia Roberts at the Internet Broadway Database

Rodney Mullen

Personal information
Birth name	Rodney Mullen
Born	(1966-08-17) August 17, 1966 (age 45) Gainesville, Florida, U.S.
Website	Dwindle Distribution
Sport
Country	United States
Sport	Skateboarding

John Rodney Mullen (born 17 August 1966) is a professional skateboarder who practices the disciplines of freestyle and street skateboarding. Mullen is credited with inventing numerous skateboarding tricks, including the kickflip, the heelflip, the impossible and the 360 flip.^[1] Mullen has appeared in a large volume of skateboarding videos and has co-authored an autobiography entitled The Mutt: How to Skateboard and Not Kill Yourself with Sean Mortimer (Mortimer also co-authored a Tony Hawk autobiography).^[2][3]

In a 2009 video Mullen sums up his passion for skateboarding:

I fell in love with skateboarding because it was individual. There were no teams, there were no captains... it was completely opposite of what I saw in so many sports: It was creative.^[4]

Biography[link]

Early life[link]

Mullen was born in Gainesville, Florida, United States (US), and began skateboarding at the age of ten after a neighbourhood friend introduced him to a skateboard. He promised his worried father, a dentist, that he would cease skateboarding the first time he became seriously injured. Mullen began practicing whilst wearing a complete pad setup, as part of the deal with his father, and spent time with his sister's surfer friends, who skateboarded on weekdays.^[5] Mullen subsequently became obsessed with the skateboard and practiced for many hours on a daily basis.

Skateboarding[link]

In 1978, having owned a skateboard for less than a year, Rodney placed fifth in the Boy's Freestyle at the U.S. Open Championships at Kona Skatepark in Jacksonville. Skateboard manufacturer Bruce Walker saw his performance and sponsored Mullen through Walker Skateboards in 1978-1980. Mullen's biggest influence in skateboarding at the time was Walker pro skater Jim McCall. Mullen was coached in his early years by Bruce Walker (who also coached a young Kelly Slater).

In later years, Mullen was coached by Barry Zaritzky, aka SIO Barry. When his family moved to a farm in a remote part of Florida, Rodney began perfecting his flatground techniques in the family garage. Mullen cites the isolation and lack of terrain naturally influenced him toward freestyle skateboarding. Rodney cites 1979 - 1980 as his "most creative time".^[5] Mullen put together a string of 30 straight competitive amateur victories in the late 70s, mostly in his home state Florida, culminating in a win at the Oceanside Nationals in June, 1979.

In 1980, 14-year-old Rodney Mullen entered the Oasis Pro competition, defeating world champion Steve Rocco. Mullen later turned professional as a member of the Bones Brigade sponsored by Powell Peralta. Powell Peralta was co-owned by Stacy Peralta, who Mullen highly admired. Mullen competed voraciously throughout the 80s—often frustrating both competitors and judges with his consistency and progressive ability.^[6] By 1990, Mullen had won 34 out of 35 freestyle competitions that he entered, having been beaten only once by fellow Bones Brigade member Per Welinder, due to Mullen falling over during his run. Mullen established the most successful competitive run in the history of the sport.

Despite Alan "Ollie" Gelfand's fame for inventing the ollie air (Gelfand's maneuver being primarily a transition-oriented trick) Mullen is responsible for the invention and development of the street ollie. The ability to pop the board off of the ground and land back on the board while moving has been the most significant development in modern skateboarding. The invention alone would rank Mullen one of the most important skateboarders of all time.

Throughout the 1980s, he invented the majority of skating's ollie and flip tricks, including the flatground ollie, the kickflip, the heelflip and many others. These tricks are now considered an essential part of modern vert and street skateboarding. In early 1989, Mullen left the Bones Brigade to join World Industries as a principal investor with longtime friend and former rival Steve Rocco.^[6] The choice was a gamble since Powell Peralta was an established company, while Rocco's upstart company was struggling and losing money.

Street skating[link]

As the popularity of freestyle skateboarding declined, Mullen was urged to move his style toward street skating, which Mullen had refused to do.^[6] This is hinted at in the World Industries video Rubbish Heap, where Mullen's sequence ends with team member Jeremy Klein breaking Rodney's freestyle skateboard, and handing him a note from Steve Rocco, symbolizing the end of freestyle.^[7]

In 1991, Mullen joined the high-profile skateboarding team Plan B. Mike Ternasky, the owner of Plan B, influenced Mullen to transition from freestyle to street skating, and showcased his skills in the 1992 Plan B video Questionable. Mullen's segment begins with traditional freestyle tricks done on flat ground, but quickly accelerates across public terrain to shift into street skating. In relation to obstacles, he sequences tricks, mixes flip tricks with grinds and board slides. In the video, Mullen introduced two newly invented tricks, the kickflip underflip and the casper slide.

Mullen's Questionable performance may have marked the beginning of a new era in street skateboarding. His reluctant departure from freestyle to become a street skater was a symbol that legitimized the technical direction street skating had taken over the previous few years. Mullen specialized at this progression in subsequent Plan B videos, including 1993's Virtual Reality, where Mullen showcases the newly-mastered Darkslide. Mullen's participation in Plan B dissolved after Mike Ternasky died in a car crash 1994. In 1997, Mullen started another company A-Team, with the intent of forming a super team with the defection of Plan B from the World Industries empire.^[5] Rodney talked to friend and fellow pro Daewon Song to plan the video Rodney vs. Daewon, which featured each skater competing in segments from trick to trick.

Mainstream success[link]

Rodney Mullen has appeared in the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater video games, Underground, Underground 2, American Wasteland, Proving Ground and Ride.^[8] The A-Team folded in 2000 and Mullen went from company founder to company rider under former Maple rider Marc Johnson, who started Enjoi Skateboards. Mullen left Enjoi to head Almost Skateboards with Daewon Song, the company which he still helms and skates for. Mullen's role at Almost includes research and development on new designs and technologies, including Tensor truck in 2000^[9] and experimental and composite deck constructions for Dwindle brands.^[10]

After years of success and controversy, Steve Rocco decided to sell his company. In 2002, World Industries under the holding name Kubic Marketing, were sold to Globe International for $46 million, making Mullen and Rocco instant multi-millionaires. Kubic's management remained intact and Mullen began working for Globe under the Dwindle Distribution brand.^[11] In 2002, Mullen won the Transworld Readers' Choice Award for Skater of the Year. In 2003, Mullen wrote and released his autobiography entitled The Mutt: How to skateboard and not kill yourself. In late 2003 he was voted as the all-time greatest action sports athlete on the Extreme Sports Channel's Legends of the Extreme countdown.^[12][13]

From 2007 to 2009, Mullen worked to erase his riding stance, allowing him to move from regular stance to goofy. In an interview with Tony Hawk, Mullen explained that he had developed problems in his right hip joint and that his transition between stances came out of an effort to favor his leg. He goes on to describe that scar tissue had built up in his joint as a result of habitually hyper-extending his leg while skating. Mullen stated that through extensive and consistent stretching he was able to tear away the scar tissue.^[14] In December 2010, Mullen stated in an interview that he was preparing to film a part for the upcoming Almost video.^[15]

Personal life[link]

Rodney Mullen is married to his wife Traci. Mullen is nicknamed the Mutt.

Filmography[link]

• Powell Peralta: Skateboarding in the '80's (1982)
• Powell Peralta: The Bones Brigade Video Show (1984)
• Powell Peralta: Future Primitive (1985)
• Powell Peralta: Public Domain (1988)
• Gleaming the Cube ("Skate double", 1989)
• World Industries: Rubbish Heap (1989)
• Plan B: Questionable (1992)
• Plan B: Virtual Reality (1993)
• Plan B: Second Hand Smoke (1995)
• Rodney Mullen vs. Daewon Song (1997)
• Rodney Mullen Vs. Daewon Song Round 2 (1999)
• Globe: Opinion
• Almost: Round Three (2004)
• Transworld: Show Me the Way (Darkslide)
• Tony Hawk's Secret Skatepark Tour (2005)
• John from Cincinnati (Skate double, Episode 10, 2007)
• Globe: United by Fate (2008)
• Almost: "5 Incher" (2012)
• Bones Brigade: An Autobiography (2012)

References[link]

Further reading[link]

• Brooke, M (1999). Concrete Wave: The History Of Skateboarding. ISBN 1-894020-54-5.
• Mullen, Rodney (2004). The Mutt: How to Skateboard and not Kill Yourself. Regan Books. 

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (May 2008)

Daewon Song
Born	(1975-02-19) February 19, 1975 (age 37) California, U.S.
Occupation	Professional skateboarder

Daewon David Song (born February 19, 1975) is a Korean-American professional skateboarder recognized for his technical street skateboarding. He is a co-owner of Almost Skateboards, along with Rodney Mullen,^[1] and also skates for the company alongside other sponsored team riders.

Early life[link]

Song grew up in the city of Gardena, California, and was given his first skateboard by his mother at the age of thirteen years.^[2] Song has stated that his early skateboarding influences were Christian Hosoi, Steve Caballero, Natas Kaupas and the Z-Boys.^[3]

Career[link]

World Industries[link]

Song became sponsored by World Industries at the age of sixteen years and appeared in numerous video productions for the company, including Love Child (1992). It is in Love Child that Song documented the first hardflip on film.^[4]

Deca[link]

After nine years with World Industries, Song left in 1999 to start his own company called Deca Skateboards. Deca ceases operations after three years, citing failure to grow as the reason for closure.

Artafact[link]

Following the cessation of Deca, Song launched a short-lived company entitled Artafact in 2002, with Chris Haslam and Cooper Wilt included as team riders. The brand was dismantled in 2003.^[1]

Almost[link]

Instead of continuing with Artafact, Song entered into a partnership with long-time colleague, mentor and friend, Rodney Mullen, to establish Almost Skateboards in 2003.^[1] The initial team roster included Chris Haslam, Cooper Wilt, Greg Lutzka and Ryan Sheckler.^[5]

Song released a video part on The Berrics in January 2011 that could be purchased for USD$0.99. The downloadable part, entitled "New Year's Dae", was made available for sale on 11 January—and was thus promoted as a "1.11.11" video part—and featured a combination of street, park and transition skateboarding.^[6][7]

Video game appearances[link]

Song has made several appearances as a playable character in video games such as Grind Session and the Tony Hawk series of games. He remained a playable character in each iteration of the Tony Hawk series starting with Tony Hawk's American Wasteland and continuing until Tony Hawk's Proving Ground, with the exception of Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam. He also appears in the game Tony Hawk: Ride.

Matix Clothing[link]

In 1998, Song founded the Matix Clothing apparel company with fellow professional skateboarder (now retired), Tim Gavin, and distribution company, Podium Distribution.^[3]

[edit] Thrasher Skater of the Year

In 2006, Song was awarded the "Skater of the Year (SOTY)" title by Thrasher magazine. His SOTY feature article appeared in the April 2007 edition of the magazine, for which he also appeared on the front cover.^[8]

References[link]

Selena Gomez
Gomez attending "The 6th Annual Hollywood Style Awards", Beverly Hills, CA on Oct. 10, 2009
Background information
Birth name	Selena Marie Gomez
Born	(1992-07-22) July 22, 1992 (age 19) Grand Prairie, Texas, U.S.
Genres	Pop, dance, pop rock[1]
Occupations	Actress, singer, Fashion Designer
Instruments	Vocals, piano, guitar, drums
Years active	2002–present
Labels	Hollywood
Associated acts	Selena Gomez & the Scene, Demi Lovato, Taylor Swift
Website	SelenaGomez.com

Selena Marie Gomez (born July 22, 1992)^[2] is an American actress and singer best known for portraying Alex Russo in the Emmy Award-winning Disney Channel television series Wizards of Waverly Place. She subsequently ventured into feature films and has starred in the television movies Another Cinderella Story, Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie, and Princess Protection Program. She made her starring theatrical film debut in Ramona and Beezus.

Her career has expanded into the music industry; Gomez is the lead singer and founder of the pop band Selena Gomez & the Scene, which has released three RIAA Gold certified studio albums, Kiss & Tell, A Year Without Rain, and When the Sun Goes Down, spawned three RIAA Platinum certified singles, "Naturally", "Who Says" and "Love You Like a Love Song" and charted four No. 1 Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs.^[3] Gomez has also contributed to the soundtracks of Tinker Bell, Another Cinderella Story, Wizards of Waverly Place, and Shake It Up after signing a record deal with Hollywood Records.

In 2008, Gomez was designated a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.^[4]

Early life[link]

Gomez was born in Grand Prairie, Texas.^[2] She is the daughter of former stage actress Amanda Dawn "Mandy" Teefey (née Cornett) and Ricardo Joel Gomez.^[5][6][7] Her father is of Mexican ancestry, and her mother is of part Italian descent.^[8][9] Regarding her Hispanic heritage, Gomez said: "My family does have Quinceañeras, and we go to the communion church. We do everything that's Catholic, but we don't really have anything traditional except [that we] go to the park and have barbecues on Sundays after church."^[10] Her birth parents divorced when she was five years old, and she was raised as an only child by her working mother.^[5][11] In 2006, Mandy remarried Brian Teefey.^[12] She was named after Tejano singer Selena, who died almost three years after Gomez was born.^[13] In a 2009 interview with People, Gomez mentioned that she developed an early interest in acting from watching her mother prepare for and act in theater productions.^[11] She earned a high school diploma through homeschooling in May 2010.^[14]

Career[link]

[edit] 2002–06: Barney & Friends and early work

Gomez began her acting career at age seven, playing Gianna on Barney & Friends.^[15] She later had minor roles in Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over and the TV film Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial By Fire. Gomez also starred in the television movie Brain Zapped. (Selena Gomez also found out that she wanted to be an actress because in E Special she states that "I would also watch my mom on stage do her lines".)

In 2004, Gomez was discovered by the Disney Channel in a USA-wide scouting.^[16] Gomez appeared as a guest star on The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and had a guest appearance – that later turned into a recurring role – on Hannah Montana from seasons two to three. Gomez previously taped two different pilots that were spin-offs to two previous Disney series.^[17] The first one, What's Stevie Thinking?, was the spin-off to Lizzie McGuire. Gomez played Stevie Sanchez, Miranda Sanchez's little sister. The other show was titled Arwin!, the spin-off to The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, in which she played Alexa. Neither series was picked up.

[edit] 2007–09: Wizards of Waverly Place and Selena Gomez & The Scene

Gomez on the studio set of Wizards of Waverly Place before filming an episode for the show's first season in April 2007

In early 2007 Gomez was cast in the Disney Channel series Wizards of Waverly Place as one of the three main characters, Alex Russo. The show premiered to an audience of 5.9 million, becoming a hit. Many news outlets began dubbing Gomez the next 'Miley Cyrus' causing some controversy and a reported 'feud'. Gomez clarified that there was no feud and that she was flattered by the comparison, saying: "It's a little overwhelming, but I think really, it's a compliment. She's obviously extremely successful, and I think she's a wonderful performer ... So being compared to her, I was very, very flattered."^[18] Gomez recorded four songs, one of which was a cover, for theWizards of Waverly Place soundtrack, only one single (Magic) from the album was released.

In 2008, Gomez recorded a cover of "Cruella de Vil"—which included a music video—for the compilation albumDisneyMania 6. Gomez also recorded "Fly to Your Heart" for the 2008 animated film Tinker Bell. In July 2008, before Gomez' sixteenth birthday, she signed a recording deal with Hollywood Records, a music label owned by Disney.^[19] In May, of the same year, Gomez was featured, with Forever the Sickest Kids, on a duet version of the non-album song "Whoa Oh!".^[20] The same year Gomez appeared in Another Cinderella Story, the direct-to-DVD sequel to the 2004 Hilary Duff film, opposite Drew Seeley. She also had a minor voiceover role as one the Mayor's ninety-six daughters in Horton Hears a Who! which released in March of that year. In April, Lacey Rose, of Forbes ranked Gomez as being fifth on their "Eight Hot Kid Stars To Watch" list; and Rose described Gomez as having been "a multitalented teen".^[21] Gomez recorded three songs for the movie's soundtrack.

In 2009, Gomez formed the teen pop band Selena Gomez & the Scene. Kiss & Tell, the band's debut studio album and was released on September 29, 2009 by Hollywood Records. On March 5, 2010, the album was certified Gold by RIAA.^[3] The album's single, "Naturally", was certified Platinum by the RIAA on July 15, 2010.^[3] In February 2009, Gomez signed on to star as one of the two female leads in Ramona and Beezus, a film adaption of the children's novel series by Beverly Cleary.^[22][23] Gomez stated that she felt no pressure in taking more adult roles: "I think I’m fully aware of my audience and I’m still just a kid myself. I wouldn’t do a role I don’t feel comfortable doing or that my audience wouldn’t feel comfortable seeing."^[24]

In June 2009, Gomez did a guest appearance as herself in one episode of best friend Demi Lovato's Disney Channel television show, Sonny with a Chance, entitled "Battle of The Network Stars". That same month Gomez appeared alongside Lovato in the made-for-television Disney Channel movie, Princess Protection Program.^[25] The telecast garnered 8.5 million viewers becoming, at the time, the third most watched Disney Channel Original Movie.^[26] One month later, Gomez, along with two cast members of Wizards of Waverly Place appeared in a television three-way cross-over episode with Hannah Montana and The Suite Life on Deck, entitled Wizards on Deck with Hannah Montana.

On August 28, 2009 two months after appearing in Princess Protection Program, Gomez starred in Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie, a made-for-television film based on the show.^[27] The film premiered to an audience of 11.4 million viewers becoming cable's No. 1 scripted telecast of 2009 and Disney Channel's second most-viewed film premiere after High School Musical 2.^[28] In September 2009, Wizards of Waverly Place won "Outstanding Children's Program" at the 61st Primetime Emmy Awards.^[29] In 2010, the film adaptation won the series its second consecutive Emmy for "Outstanding Children's Program" at the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards.^[29]

[edit] 2010–2011:Theatrical film debut, A Year Without Rain and When The Sun Goes Down

Gomez on location in Paris, France filming Monte Carlo in June 2010

Gomez's first theatrical film Ramona & Beezus premiered on July 23, 2010 and met with generally positive reviews.^[30] In March 2010, Variety reported that Gomez was set to star as one of the three lead roles in Monte Carlo, alongside Leighton Meester and Katie Cassidy.^[31] In the film Gomez plays Grace, a girl who’s “mistaken for a socialite while on a trip to Paris.”^[32] To prepare for the role Gomez learned how to play polo and also took two weeks of vocal training to learn two different British accents.^[33][34] The same year Gomez confirmed that the fourth season of her hit Disney Channel show, Wizards of Waverly Place, would be its last.

Gomez performing at the 2011 MuchMusic Video Awards.

On September 17, 2010 , Selena Gomez and The Scene released their second studio album, A Year Without Rain The record debuted on the Billboard 200 at number 4, selling 66,000 copies. On January 19, 2011, the album was certified Gold by RIAA.^[3] As of April 2011, the band has sold 1,354,000 albums in the United States.^[35] To support the album, the band embarked on the mini-tour A Year Without Rain Tour. In February 2011, Deadline.com reported that Universal Pictures and Strike Entertainment had acquired the novel Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher with Gomez attached to the lead.^[36] That same month TV Guide reported that Gomez would make a cameo in the Muppets film.^[37] On March 23, 2011, Hollywood Records announced through a press release that Selena Gomez & The Scene would be embarking on their third concert tour in the United States, the We Own the Night Tour ran during the summer of 2011.^[38] Production for the final season of Wizards of Waverly Place came to a wrap on May 14, 2011.^[39] Gomez co-hosted the 2011 MuchMusic Video Awards on June 19.^[40] She also hosted the 2011 MTV EMAs on November 6, 2011, in Belfast, Northern Ireland, where she performed her band's single "Hit the Lights". Near the end of 2011, it was reported Gomez was in talks to star in two upcoming films. Deadline.com announced in October that Gomez would take part in the comedy Hot Mess.^[41]

In early November, Variety reported that Gomez was in talks to star in the upcoming film Spring Breakers alongside James Franco and Vanessa Hudgens.^[42] Gomez confirmed to MTV that she had signed on for the project and that production will begin in early 2012.^[43] On June 28, 2011, Selena Gomez & the scene released their third studio album, When the Sun Goes Down, previously titledOtherside,^[44] The album debuted at number 4 on the Billboard 200, selling 78,000 copies its first week and the following week, the album rose to number 3 on the Billboard chart, becoming the band's highest charting album to date.^[45][46] On November 17, 2011, the album was certified platinum.^[3] The album's lead single, "Who Says" was certified Platinum by RIAA on June 23, 2011 and has become the band's highest charting song on the Billboard Hot 100 to date, peaking at number 21.^[3][47] The second single, "Love You Like a Love Song", was certified Platinum by RIAA on December 2, 2011, and became the act's first to sell over two-million copies.^[3][48]

2012–present: Focus on film[link]

In January 2012, Gomez announced that she would put her music career on hold.^[49] This was later reaffirmed as Gomez wrote on her Facebook page that she was taking a break from music in order to focus on her acting career, "my band and I are going our separate ways for a while. This year is all about films and acting and I want my band to play music wherever with whoever. We will be back but, it will be a good while."^[50] In February 2012, Gomez announced that the band would be taking a hiatus, so that she could focus on film for the year. She encouraged her band mates to work with other artists during the hiatus.^[51] The same month, it was announced that Gomez will replace Miley Cyrus in the animated comedy Hotel Transylvania playing Mavis, the daughter of Dracula who will be voiced by Adam Sandler.^[52] As of March 2012, Gomez has been cast in four upcoming films; in which three of them she has been cast as a lead role. She will first appear in Hotel Transylvania, an animated film, voicing the character of Mavis, who was originally supposed to be voiced by Miley Cyrus, however Cyrus dropped out of the film in early 2012 in order to focus on her music career.^[53] The film is scheduled to be released on September 21, 2012.^[54] Next, Gomez will appear in Spring Breakers, which is currently being filmed on location in Sarasota, Florida. The film is being written and directed by Harmony Korine.^[55] Gomez has also been cast as the main role of Hannah Baker in the film adaptation of young-adult fiction novel, 13 Reasons Why. The novel was written by Jay Asher.^[56] She will also play the lead role in a film called Hot Mess, a comedy film directed by Dave Meyers.^[56] On April 7, 2012, Gomez posted a video for fans in which she revealed that she will be filming a new movie called "The Getaway" in Bulgaria. ^[57]

Other projects[link]

Philanthropy[link]

Selena Gomez performs at the KISS 108 Jingle Ball in December 2010

Gomez was involved in the UR Votes Count campaign which encouraged teenagers to learn more about 2008 presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain.^[58] In October 2008, Gomez participated in St. Jude's Children's Hospital "Runway For Life" benefit.^[59] Gomez is a spokesperson for Borden Milk; she is featured in the campaign's print and television ads.^[60] She is the ambassador of DoSomething.org after being involved with the charity Island Dog, which help dogs in Puerto Rico.^[61] She got involved while filming Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie in Puerto Rico.^[62] Gomez is a spokesperson for State Farm Insurance, and is featured in their TV commercials; which air on the Disney Channel, to raise awareness of being a safe driver.^[63] Gomez is also involved with the charity RAISE Hope For Congo, an initiative of the Enough Project, which helps raise awareness about conflict minerals and violence against Congolese women.^[64]

In October 2008, Gomez was named UNICEF's spokesperson for the Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF campaign, which encouraged children to raise money on Halloween to help children around the world.^[4] She said that she was "extremely excited" to "encourage other kids to make a difference in the world."^[4]

In August 2009, a 17-year-old Gomez became the youngest UNICEF ambassador ever, passing fellow songstress Hayley Westenra, who was 18 when she was chosen. In her first official field mission, Gomez traveled to Ghana on September 4, 2009 for a week to witness first-hand the stark conditions of vulnerable children that lack vital necessities including clean water, nourishment, education and healthcare.^[65][66] Gomez explained during an interview with Associated Press that she wanted to use her star power to bring awareness to Ghana: “That’s why I feel very honored to have a voice that kids listen to and take into consideration [...] I had people on my tour asking me where IS Ghana, and they Googled it [...] and because I went there, they now know where Ghana is. So it’s pretty incredible.”^[66][67] Gomez said of her role as ambassador that: "Every day 25,000 children die from preventable causes. I stand with UNICEF in the belief that we can change that number from 25,000 to zero. I know we can achieve this because every moment, UNICEF is on the ground providing children with the lifesaving assistance needed to ensure zero becomes a reality."^[65]

Gomez was named spokesperson for UNICEF's 2009 Trick-or-Treat campaign, for the second year in a row.^[68] Gomez, who raised over $700,000 for the charity in 2008, stated that she hopes to be able to raise 1 million dollars in 2009.^[66] Gomez participated in a celebrity auction^[69] and hosted a live web cast series on Facebook in support of the Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF campaign.^[70] Gomez returned as the UNICEF spokesperson for the 60th anniversary of Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF campaign in 2010.^[71] In celebration of the 60th anniversary, Gomez and her band, The Scene, held a benefit concert donating all proceeds to the campaign.^[72]. On January 22nd 2010, Gomez participated in the Hope for Haiti Now Telethon with a number of other celebrities^[73].

In February 2011, Gomez traveled to Chile to witness and meet with the families of UNICEF's supported program, "Programa Puente" which helps families better understand and develops skills to deal effectively with early childhood education, development and other issues related to raising children. From her field trip experience, Gomez said "UNICEF is helping Chilean families get out of poverty, prevent violence within the home and promote education. To witness first hand these families' struggles, and also their hope and perseverance, was truly inspiring."^[74] In March 2011, Gomez participated in the UNICEF Tap Project's "Celebrity Tap Pack," limited-edition, custom-made water bottles featuring tap water from the homes of each celebrity advocate, in order to raise funds and increase profile for the clean water and sanitation programs.^[75] She is also featured in videos promoting the campaign.^[76][77]

Gomez is involved in Disney's Friends for Change, an organization which promotes "environmently-friendly behavior", and appears in its public service announcements.^[78] Gomez, Demi Lovato, Miley Cyrus, and the Jonas Brothers recorded "Send It On", a charity single with all of its proceeds to the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund.^[79][80] It debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 20.^[79] Also in 2009, Gomez made a surprise visit to a Los Angeles elementary school as part of the "A Day Made Better" program that was sponsored by OfficeMax. During her visit, Gomez gave the school an award and $1,000 worth of school supplies, and talked to students about the importance of giving back to the community.^[81][82]

Gomez is also the owner of six rescue dogs and describes herself as a "huge animal-lover".^[83]

In April 2012, Gomez was named ambassador to the Ryan Seacrest Foudation^[84].

Entrepreneurship and sponsorships[link]

Gomez was part of Sears back-to-school fashion ad campaign.^[85] As part of the campaign Gomez was featured in the television commercials. In August 2009, Gomez also hosted the "Sears Arrive Air Band Casting Call" – to select five people for the first-ever "Sears Air Band", which performed at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards.^[86]

In October 2008, Gomez launched her own production company, July Moon Productions, and partnered with XYZ Films to create star vehicles for Gomez. As part of the agreement Gomez will have the opportunity to be able option articles, hire writers and create talent packages to shop to studios.^[87][88] Also, as part of the deal, "XYZ Films will allow Gomez to star in and produce at least two films.^[81] Variety reported that: "In August, XYZ [Films] inked a similar deal with Time Inc. and management-production company the Collective to finance the development of the print media giant's content for the bigscreen [...] As part of the July Moon-XYZ deal, [Selena] Gomez will have the ability to cherry-pick projects from the vast Time Inc. library, which includes Time, Sports Illustrated, Fortune and Life."^[88]

In October 2009, Gomez announced her plan to launch her own fashion line, called "Dream Out Loud by Selena Gomez". The clothing line launched in the fall of 2010.^[89][90] The collection consists of and features bohemian dresses, floral tops, jeans, skirts, jackets, scarves and hats, all made from recycled or eco-friendly materials.^[91][92] Gomez said that the line will reflect her own personal style and described the clothing as being "pretty, feminine, and bohemian," and: "With my line, I really want to give the customer options on how they can put their own looks together [...] I want the pieces that can be easy to dress up or down, and the fabrics being eco-friendly and organic is super important [...] Also, the tags will all have some of my inspirational quotes on them. I'm just looking to send a good message."^[89][92] Gomez, who has no background in fashion, teamed up with designers Tony Melillo and Sandra Campos, both who have worked with big-name fashion houses.^[90] Gomez said of the partnering: "When I met Tony and Sandra, I was instantly comfortable with them and now they are just like family to me ... They are so creative and I love how I can just call them up whenever and talk to them about everything, even if it's just about changing a button ... They've been so cool about everything."^{[89][90][91][92]} The brand will be manufactured by, Melillo and Campos teamed with New York-based Adjmi Apparel and formed by Adjmi CH Brands LLC; which is the holding company for the brand.^[93]

It was announced on July 14, 2011, that Gomez had signed a license agreement with Adrenalina, an extreme sports and adventure-themed lifestyle brand, to develop, manufacture, and distribute the actress' fragrance. It is expected to debut in May of 2012. Chairman and C.E.O. of Adrenalina, Ilia Lekach, said, "We are incredibly enthused to be working with Ms. Gomez and will reveal more details pertaining to the fragrance as we get closer to the launch date."^[94]

Personal life and Image[link]

With a solid fan and media following, Selena Gomez is considered a teen idol. She has appeared on several magazine covers, including People Magazine,^[95] Cosmopolitan,^[96] Billboard,^[97] TVGuide,^[98] Teen Vogue,^[99] Seventeen,^[100] Elle^[101].

Wax statues of Gomez are on display at Madame Tussauds wax museums in New York^[102], London^[103], Washington D.C^[104] and Hollywood.

Relationships[link]

Gomez has had several high-profile relationships. She had an on-off relationship with singer Nick Jonas of the Jonas Brothers from 2008 to 2010.^[105] In 2009, she met actor Taylor Lautner in Vancouver, while she was filming Ramona and Beezus and he was shooting New Moon^[106], and the two dated for almost a year. However the pressure of the media became too much for them and caused the two to break-up.^[107] On February 27 2011, Gomez attended the 2011 Vanity Fair Oscar Party with Canadian singer Justin Bieber,^[108] confirming several months of media speculation about a romantic relationship between the pair.^{[109][110][111][112][113][114]} The relationship has since continued to garner significant media attention.^{[115][116][117][118][119]}

Filmography[link]

Film[link]

Television[link]