Selena Gomez Reveals How Her Mom Protected Her Growing Up And Never Left Her Alone
While other parents left child stars to their own devices in Hollywood, Selena Gomez's mom made sure to protect her.
Plenty of parents toss their kids straight into the entertainment world full of exploiters (and predators), which is why we’re constantly hearing horror stories about child actors. Fortunately for Selena Gomez, her mom was always there for her.
Their “Gilmore Girls” Relationship
In a Variety interview with the very talented Saoirse Ronan, Gomez got candid about her mom having her at just 16 years old. “I do feel that we grew up together and that’s a different perspective than someone who would wait until they’re older to have a child,” she said. “I am so grateful that we were there for each other. It felt very ‘Gilmore Girls.’”
“My mom was fantastic. She would never put me in a room by myself; she was very aware of things that I didn’t know. For example, if I had to go to a premiere and I was 16, she’d say, 'You can’t go to the after-party. You can have fun, and then you’re going to go home," Gomez shared, adding that it helped with her sanity.
It’s easy to forget that Gomez’s childhood wasn’t all red carpets and Wizards of Waverly Place. Teefey worked multiple jobs to support her daughter’s dreams before Selena became a household name.
Too often, kids in the entertainment industry are treated like commodities, their parents more like managers than guardians. Gomez’s story is a rare exception.
Even now, Gomez honors the role her mom played in shaping her life. In the same Variety interview, Gomez reflected on her recent experience playing a mother herself. “I got to play a mom in Emilia Pérez, and it was very sweet. However, I was intimidated,” she admitted. “There is something about children that is fearless, and I appreciate that so much, and I miss it a little.”
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