Selena Marie Gomez (/səˈliːnə ˈɡoʊmɛz/ sə-LEE-nə GOH-mez; born July 22, 1992) is an American singer, actress, producer, and businesswoman. She began her career as a child actress, starring on the children’s television series Barney & Friends (2002–2004), and rose to prominence as a teen idol, leading as Alex Russo on the Disney Channel sitcom Wizards of Waverly Place (2007–2012). As a singer, she signed with Hollywood Records in 2008 and formed the pop rock band Selena Gomez & the Scene. The band released three studio albums, all of which have been certified gold or higher by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).