Selena Gomez is an American singer, songwriter, and actress who rose to fame as a child star on the Disney Channel show Wizards of Waverly Place. She went on to launch a successful music career, releasing three studio albums that have spawned multiple top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Some of her most popular songs include “Come & Get It,” “Good for You,” and “Lose You to Love Me.”
Gomez has received numerous awards and accolades, including an American Music Award, a Billboard Women in Music honor, and multiple Teen Choice Awards. She has an extremely loyal fanbase and is one of the most-followed celebrities on Instagram with over 369 million followers. In 2017, Billboard reported that she had sold over 7 million albums and 22 million singles in the United States alone.
Beyond music, Gomez has continued acting in films like Spring Breakers and The Dead Don’t Die. She also produces the hit Netflix show 13 Reasons Why. Gomez is involved in various philanthropic causes, having been a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2009. She aims to use her platform to empower and inspire young people.
Family Background
Selena Gomez was born in 1992 to Ricardo Joel Gomez and Amanda Dawn “Mandy” Cornett in Grand Prairie, Texas. Her father, Ricardo, comes from a Mexican Catholic family while her mother, Mandy, was raised Southern Baptist.
Though her parents divorced when she was 5 years old, Selena was raised in the Catholic faith by her mother. As a child, she would attend church services and youth groups with her mom. Despite her parents having different religious upbringings, Selena was brought up with a Christian foundation by her mother after her parents’ divorce.
Childhood and Upbringing
Selena Gomez grew up in Grand Prairie, Texas and was raised Catholic by her mother. She has said that she regularly attended church services and youth groups while growing up.
In an interview, Gomez shared that “I’ve been a Christian for a while now. I don’t talk about it too much—I want to, but it’s gotten a bad rep. I just want to make it clear that I love God, and that’s never changed”. Her early experiences with religion seem to have shaped her continued faith as an adult.
References to God and Faith in Songs
Selena Gomez’s music contains several references to spirituality and faith. The song “Nobody” from her 2013 album Stars Dance includes the lyrics “Nobody’s gonna love me like you do” and “You are my rock, you are my shelter” which Gomez confirmed are addressed to God. She told iHeartRadio that “‘Nobody’ is written about my faith, my connection with God”.
In the song “Save the Day” from her 2020 album Rare, Gomez sings “I know that you’ll save the day / And I’ll be close behind” which suggests she relies on her faith for support during difficult times. Other songs like “Goddess” and “Undercover” also hint at her spiritual side with references to higher powers. Overall, Gomez’s lyrics frequently incorporate themes of spirituality and faith, reflecting her religious background.
Public Statements on Religion
In an interview, Selena Gomez discussed her religious beliefs, stating “I’m very, very spiritual. I believe in God, but I’m not religious. I’ve been a Christian for a while now. I don’t talk about it too much—I want to, but it’s gotten a bad rep.” She went on to say that she attends church regularly and even reads the Bible, indicating her strong Christian faith despite not adhering to the strict dogma of a particular denomination.
In another interview, Gomez shared that she prays with her pastor frequently and credits her faith for getting her through difficult times. Though private about specifics, Selena has made it clear through her words that she identifies as a Christian.
Connections to Hillsong Church
Selena Gomez has had close ties to the Australia-based Hillsong Church and its former celebrity pastor Carl Lentz over the years. She was first introduced to Hillsong in 2014 by her friend and fellow singer Justin Bieber, who attended the church and was mentored by Lentz. Gomez developed a close friendship with Lentz and his wife Laura, frequently attending services when she was in Los Angeles and New York. She was even spotted vacationing with the couple on several occasions.
However, in late 2020, Lentz admitted to cheating on his wife and was fired from Hillsong for “moral failures.” This scandal appears to have distanced Gomez from the church. She unfollowed Lentz and his wife on Instagram and stopped referencing Hillsong on her social media accounts. According to reports, she decided to leave Hillsong for good in the wake of the scandal as she could no longer support the church. While she has not publicly commented on her departure, Gomez did make a shady comment about Lentz on Instagram in 2023, further signaling her split from Hillsong.
Romantic Partners’ Religions
Selena Gomez has been romantically linked to several high-profile celebrities over the years, many of whom come from Christian backgrounds like herself.
Her most famous relationship was with pop star Justin Bieber. Bieber was raised in a Christian household and has spoken openly about his faith, crediting God for his success and attending Hillsong Church services regularly. When he briefly rekindled his romance with Gomez in late 2017, they were spotted attending church together, perhaps bonding over their shared Christian values.
Another former flame, The Weeknd, was raised by an Ethiopian Orthodox Christian mother and has incorporated religious themes into his music at times. While not overtly religious, he does seem to share Gomez’s spiritual side.
More recently, Gomez has been linked to Italian producer Andrea Iervolino. He was raised Catholic and told an interviewer that he believes in God, though he does not consider himself to be religious.
So while the specific denominations may vary, Gomez seems drawn to creative partners who were raised with some type of Christian upbringing and for whom faith still plays a role, even if just culturally. Religion does not define her relationships, but it does appear to connect her to romantic interests.
Perspectives on Morality
Selena Gomez has been outspoken about her perspectives on social and moral issues, particularly women’s rights and abortion access. She has used her large public platform to advocate for reproductive rights and speak out against abortion bans.
In June 2022, after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, Gomez posted on Twitter: “Watching a Constitutional right be stripped away is horrific. A woman should have the right to CHOOSE what she wants to do with her own body.”
She also called on men to take action, saying: “Men need to stand up and speak out on this issue”.
In 2019, Gomez spoke out against Alabama’s abortion ban, calling it “a problem” and saying “I do believe that us women should do all we can to make sure that our voices are heard”.
Through her advocacy and public statements, Gomez has made her pro-choice stance clear and used her influence to speak up for women’s reproductive rights.
Philanthropy and Charity
Selena Gomez has been involved in charity work from a young age, supporting various organizations focused on children, education, and health. She was named a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2009 when she was just 17 years old, becoming the youngest person to receive that title from the organization. Through UNICEF, Gomez has traveled to impoverished regions in Africa and Latin America to meet with children in need and raise awareness of issues like malnutrition and lack of education. She also helped launch the UNICEF Tap Project, encouraging people to donate money by not using bottled water for one day.
In 2012, Gomez was honored with the Young Humanitarian Award at the UNICEF Ball for her extensive work with the organization. She continues to participate in UNICEF campaigns and serve as an ambassador today. Gomez also supports a range of other non-profits including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Alliance for Children’s Rights, Ryan Seacrest Foundation, and Make-A-Wish Foundation. She is passionate about giving back and uses her platform to raise awareness of issues impacting children worldwide.
Conclusion
Based on an examination of Selena Gomez’s background, music, public statements, and connections, it appears she was raised Christian and continues to have a strong Christian faith. While she hasn’t explicitly stated she identifies as a specific denomination, there are many references to God, prayer, church, and the Bible throughout her music and interviews. She has been closely affiliated with Hillsong Church, which is a popular Christian organization.
Gomez seems to hold traditional Christian values related to morality and relationships. Her philanthropic efforts often involve working with faith-based organizations as well. Though she doesn’t preach or push her beliefs, her faith seems to be an integral part of her identity and worldview. Overall, the evidence indicates Selena Gomez has a sincere personal Christian faith that guides her life and work.
