Good Bad Billionaire: Selena Gomez – Actress, Singer, Beauty Mogul

Episode Release Date: April 28, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of Good Bad Billionaire, hosted by Simon Jack and Zing Seng from the BBC World Service, the focus shifts to Selena Gomez—a multifaceted artist who has traversed the realms of acting, singing, and entrepreneurial ventures to become one of the youngest female self-made billionaires. Through an in-depth exploration of her journey, the hosts evaluate whether Selena stands as a good, bad, or typical billionaire.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Selena Gomez was born on July 22, 1992, in Grand Prairie, Texas, into a Mexican American family with a challenging background. Her paternal grandparents immigrated to the U.S. hidden in the back of a truck, a story that resonates deeply in today’s political climate (05:01). Selena’s father, Ricardo Joe Gomez, settled in Texas after his parents gained citizenship 17 years later (05:30).

At a young age, Selena aspired to be on television. Her first role was in a commercial for Joe’s Crab Shack, which, while modest, marked the beginning of her acting career (07:15). At seven, she landed a role on the beloved children’s show Barney & Friends, earning approximately $3,000 per episode and appearing in 13 episodes before age ten. This early exposure laid the foundation for her future in the entertainment industry (08:24).

Rise to Fame with Disney and Expanding Horizons

Selena’s breakthrough came in 2007 with the Disney Channel series Wizards of Waverly Place, where she played Alex Russo, a teenage wizard navigating life in New York City. This role catapulted her into the limelight, making her a household name and leveraging her image across television, music, movies, and merchandise (09:55).

Alongside her acting career, Selena launched her music career with the band Selena Gomez and the Scene, releasing the album Kiss & Tell in 2009. By 2012, her solo endeavors began to take shape with her debut album Stars Dance, which featured her first top 10 single, "Come & Get It" (12:00).

Personal Struggles: Health and Mental Health Battles

Despite her professional success, Selena faced significant personal challenges. In 2013, just as her solo career was gaining momentum, she began experiencing health issues. She was diagnosed with lupus, an autoimmune disease, and underwent chemotherapy. This period was marked by cancellations of tours and public speculation about her mental health (20:08).

Selena publicly revealed her struggles with anxiety, depression, and later, a diagnosis of bipolar disorder in 2016 and 2018 respectively. These revelations were groundbreaking, especially coming from someone in the public eye, as they helped destigmatize conversations around mental health (21:20; 28:03). Her openness about her conditions, including a kidney transplant in 2017, showcased her resilience and commitment to mental health advocacy (26:09; 28:21).

Transition to Entrepreneurship: Rare Beauty and Wondermind

Leveraging her immense influence, Selena ventured into the business world with the launch of her beauty brand, Rare Beauty, in 2020. Rare Beauty is not just a cosmetic line but a mission-driven company aiming to break down unrealistic standards of perfection. Notably, 1% of all sales go to the Rare Impact Fund, targeting the raising of $100 million over ten years for mental health organizations (30:32; 31:28).

In addition to Rare Beauty, Selena co-founded Wondermind, a mental health platform, with her mother Mandy and Daniela Pearson. Valued at $100 million in 2022, Wondermind offers mental fitness tools, podcasts, and resources aimed at fostering healthy mental habits (33:07).

Philanthropy and Advocacy

Selena’s philanthropic efforts extend beyond her business ventures. Through Rare Beauty’s Rare Impact Fund, she has pledged significant donations to mental health causes and other nonprofits. For instance, each episode of her cooking show, Selena and Chef Sheb, donates $10,000 to charitable organizations, totaling $400,000 over three seasons (44:22; 44:50).

Moreover, Selena has been an active voice in social and political issues. She executive produced the Netflix documentary series Living Undocumented and used her platform to support the Black Lives Matter movement by temporarily handing over her Instagram account to activists, amplifying their messages to her 400 million followers (30:35; 46:56).

Becoming a Billionaire

Selena Gomez officially joined the Bloomberg Billionaires Index in September 2024, with an estimated net worth of $1.3 billion. The bulk of her wealth—81%—comes from her stake in Rare Beauty, while the remaining 19% is attributed to endorsements, acting, record sales, and her mental health platform Wondermind (39:08; 39:58).

Rare Beauty alone is valued at $2 billion, with annual sales estimated between $350 million and $400 million. Despite rumors of a potential sale, Selena has no plans to sell her beauty empire, cementing her status as a formidable entrepreneur in the beauty industry (37:46; 38:33).

Conclusion: Judging Selena Gomez

After a comprehensive evaluation of Selena Gomez’s journey, Simon and Zing conclude that she embodies the qualities of a good billionaire. Her philanthropic endeavors, mental health advocacy, and commitment to using her wealth for social good position her favorably. Despite facing personal and professional challenges, Selena’s resilience and dedication to meaningful causes differentiate her from typical billionaires (48:08; 48:57).

Final Ratings:

• Wealth: 4/10 (Zing: 5/10)
• Villainy: 0/10
• Philanthropy: Simon: 3/10; Zing: 4/10
• Power: 7/10
• Overall Verdict: Good Billionaire

Notable Quotes

• Zing Seng (02:23): "Because the woman at the center of this storm is none other than Mexican American superstar Selena Gomez."
• Simon Jack (05:01): "Selena Gomez is officially done with playing it safe."
• Zing Seng (20:31): "I was diagnosed with lupus and I've been through chemo. That was my break."
• Simon Jack (37:46): "Anyone with nearly half a billion followers on Instagram is pretty powerful."

Time Stamps

• [05:01] – Selena's grandparents' immigration story
• [05:30] – Father’s work and early life
• [07:15] – First acting role
• [08:24] – Early earnings and role on Barney & Friends
• [09:55] – Breakthrough with Wizards of Waverly Place
• [12:00] – Solo music career launch
• [20:08] – Public health struggles
• [21:20] – Lupus and its impact
• [26:09] – Kidney transplant revelation
• [28:03] – Bipolar disorder diagnosis
• [30:32] – Launch of Rare Beauty
• [31:28] – Rare Beauty’s mission and sales
• [33:07] – Founding of Wondermind
• [44:22] – Philanthropic initiatives through Rare Beauty
• [44:50] – Donations through her cooking show
• [46:56] – Support for Black Lives Matter
• [37:46] – Valuation and future of Rare Beauty
• [39:08] – Entry into Bloomberg Billionaires Index
• [39:58] – Breakdown of Selena's net worth
• [48:08] – Power and influence on social media
• [48:57] – Final judgment as a billionaire

Next Episode Teaser

Next week on Good Bad Billionaire, the hosts will delve into the life of Ike Perlmutter, the former Marvel CEO and chairman. Known for his role in resurrecting Marvel Comics and launching the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Ike's story is one of media shyness and strategic profitability.

Produced by Louise Morris. Research by Annie Rose, Harrison Dunn, and editor Paul Smith.