Quick Answer: Yes, Selena Gomez is Latina. She is half Mexican on her father’s side and half Italian on her mother’s side. She was named after the legendary Tejana singer Selena Quintanilla.
Before Selena Gomez became one of the most visible stars in pop culture, she spoke with ShowBizCafe about being Latina and carrying her Mexican heritage into mainstream entertainment.
Born on July 22, 1992, in Grand Prairie, Texas, Gomez grew up steeped in her Mexican roots, named after the most iconic Tejana in history. Now, at the promising age of 16, she is already being heralded as the next Jennifer Lopez. Gomez, who has quickly been establishing herself as a Latina powerhouse, has already marked her territory in television and music, with her sights set on dominating the film industry next. But how much do we know about the Latina heritage of the Wizards of Waverly Place star?
What always piques our curiosity about American Latino celebrities is whether their cultural heritage is ever important to them. In an industry where cultural roots play a pivotal role, Selena Gomez showcases her Latina heritage as an element of her identity. In our exclusive interview with Gomez, she reveals her deep connection to her Mexican and Italian lineage. Named after the legendary singer Selena, she considers her name a testament to her heritage’s influence on her life and career.
One of the hottest rising Latina stars in TV and music, Gomez spent a rainy weekend in New York City with the rest of the Wizards of Waverly Place cast, signing autographs for fans and for children from the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The heritage of the cast runs through the video, starting with Selena herself.
“My Dad is Mexican and my Mom is Italian, so I’m half Mexican, which is a big part of my life, which is why I was named after the singer Selena, so I think that’s awesome, but yes, I am half Mexican,” Gomez says in the video.
Actor Jake T. Austin, her co star on Wizards of Waverly Place, also talks about where his family comes from. “my dad is Polish English and Irish and which gives me the real last name of sansky and my mom is full Spanish I’m Puerto Rican Argentinian and Spaniard wow so my last name say man my real last name is very misleading but I am Spanish,” he explains.
In the piece Selena is introduced as having one of the hottest shows on cable, a growing singing career, and a new Disney DVD film called Another Cinderella Story. You can catch Selena and the rest of the Wizards of Waverly Place cast on the Disney Channel.
Click on the video below and see what she says in our exclusive interview.
Is Selena Gomez Latina? The answer is in her own words. She is half Mexican and half Italian, and her name is a direct tribute to the most famous Latina singer in American history. For Selena Gomez, being Latina is not a label — it is a core part of who she is, shaping her career, her music, and her identity in Hollywood.
Yes. Selena Gomez is half Mexican on her father’s side and half Italian on her mother’s side.
What is Selena Gomez’s ethnicity?
Gomez is of Mexican and Italian descent. Her father’s family is from Texas with Mexican roots.
Does Selena Gomez speak Spanish?
Gomez has said she understands full Spanish conversations but struggles to respond fluently. She has recorded songs in Spanish and wants to become fully bilingual.
Why is Selena Gomez named Selena?
She was named after the legendary Tejana singer Selena Quintanilla. Gomez has called the name a testament to her heritage’s influence on her life.
Is Selena Gomez Mexican?
She is half Mexican. Her father is of Mexican descent and her mother is of Italian descent.
