The Complicated Truth: 5 Key Moments In The Decades-Long Friendship Of Demi Lovato And Selena Gomez (Updated 2025)

The enduring, yet famously rocky, relationship between pop superstars Demi Lovato and Selena Gomez has once again captured the public spotlight in late 2025, proving that some Hollywood connections are simply too profound to ever completely fade away. Despite years of rumored feuds, public distance, and diverging career paths, the two former Disney Channel darlings remain intrinsically linked by a childhood bond that started over two decades ago. This connection was recently highlighted following the major life news of both artists, with Lovato offering a rare, public expression of happiness for Gomez's future, solidifying their status as one of the industry's most complicated and realistic celebrity friendships.

As of late 2025, the two artists are not actively in contact, yet their shared history continues to define a significant chapter of their lives. This article explores the full, complex timeline of "Delena," from their innocent start on a children's television set to the adult well-wishes that prove a deep-seated respect remains, even in silence.

Biographies: The Two Titans of Pop Culture

To understand the depth of their connection and the complexity of their separation, it is essential to first look at the individual paths of these two global icons.

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Demi Lovato (Born August 20, 1992)

• Full Name: Demetria Devonne Lovato
• Born: Albuquerque, New Mexico
• Occupation: Singer, Songwriter, Actor
• Key Career Milestones:
  • Began acting on *Barney & Friends* (2002–2004).
  • Rose to global fame with Disney Channel's *Camp Rock* (2008) and the TV series *Sonny with a Chance* (2009–2011).
  • Debut album *Don't Forget* (2008) and subsequent successful albums like *Unbroken*, *Tell Me You Love Me*, and *Dancing with the Devil... the Art of Starting Over*.
  • Known for powerful vocals and advocacy for mental health and sobriety.
  • Current Relationship Status (2025): Engaged to musician Jordan Lutes (Jutes).
• Notable Entities/LSI Keywords: Wilmer Valderrama, Joe Jonas, sobriety, pop-rock, *Holy Fvck*, non-binary identity, mental health advocate.

Selena Gomez (Born July 22, 1992)

• Full Name: Selena Marie Gomez
• Born: Grand Prairie, Texas
• Occupation: Singer, Actress, Producer, Entrepreneur
• Key Career Milestones:
  • Began acting on *Barney & Friends* (2002–2004).
  • Became a teen idol as Alex Russo in Disney Channel's *Wizards of Waverly Place* (2007–2012).
  • Successful music career with hits like "Come & Get It," "Hands to Myself," and "Lose You to Love Me."
  • Executive Producer of Netflix's *13 Reasons Why* and star/producer of Hulu's *Only Murders in the Building*.
  • Founder of the cosmetics line Rare Beauty and a strong mental health advocate.
  • Current Relationship Status (2025): Engaged to music producer Benny Blanco (announced December 2024).
• Notable Entities/LSI Keywords: Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, Rare Beauty, Lupus diagnosis, Alex Russo, *Only Murders in the Building*, producing, pop music.

From Barney to Disney Channel: The Inseparable "Delena" Era

The story of Demi and Selena, affectionately dubbed "Delena" by fans, is a rare Hollywood narrative that begins not in a glamorous movie set but on the wholesome, brightly colored set of *Barney & Friends*. In 2002, at the age of seven, the two Texas natives met as child actors, forming an instant, deep friendship. They were Giana (Lovato) and Angela (Gomez), and their bond quickly extended off-screen, a fact they often documented in their early, iconic YouTube vlogs, which provided fans with an unfiltered look into their lives.

Their careers mirrored each other's paths precisely. After *Barney*, they both transitioned to the Disney Channel, the ultimate launchpad for young stars. Lovato starred in the massively successful *Camp Rock* franchise alongside the Jonas Brothers, while Gomez led the hit series *Wizards of Waverly Place*. The peak of their professional collaboration came in 2009 with the Disney Channel Original Movie, *Princess Protection Program*. This film, where they played best friends who switch lives, perfectly captured the magic of their real-life relationship, cementing their status as a powerful, inseparable duo in the eyes of their young fanbase.

The shared experience of navigating teen fame, the pressures of the Disney machine, and the intense media scrutiny created a unique, powerful bond. However, this shared experience would also become the source of their most significant challenges.

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The Rocky Road: Feuds, Public Distance, and Diverging Paths

As both women matured and their careers exploded, the pressures of the industry began to strain their childhood bond. The "Delena" friendship became notoriously volatile, marked by periods of intense closeness followed by long, public breaks. The first major rift was noted around 2010, which Lovato later acknowledged in interviews, often citing the difficulties of maintaining a genuine friendship in the intense, competitive Hollywood environment.

A significant period of distance occurred between 2014 and 2015. During this time, both artists were dealing with their own personal struggles—Lovato with her sobriety and mental health, and Gomez with her Lupus diagnosis and high-profile relationships. The exact reasons for the fallout were never fully disclosed, but Lovato once told Andy Cohen that "we're not friends," indicating a clear separation. The media often speculated about external factors, including their respective relationships with other celebrities like Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift, further complicating the narrative.

A brief, heartwarming reunion occurred in 2017 at the *InStyle* Awards, where the two embraced, sending the internet into a frenzy. However, this public display of reconciliation was fleeting, and the friendship once again cooled shortly thereafter. By the late 2010s, it became clear that their paths had diverged significantly, leading to a silence that would last for years.

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The Current Chapter (2024–2025): Respect from a Distance

The most recent and definitive update on the state of their relationship came in late 2024 and throughout 2025, centering on a major life event for Selena Gomez: her engagement to music producer Benny Blanco.

In December 2024, Gomez and Blanco announced their engagement, a piece of news that quickly became a global sensation. When Demi Lovato was publicly asked about her former best friend's engagement, her response was mature, brief, and entirely supportive. Lovato confirmed that while they no longer speak, she wished Gomez "nothing but happiness." This rare, public comment was a significant moment, demonstrating that despite the lack of active friendship, a core of mutual respect and good will remains between the two women. The comment effectively closed the door on any lingering animosity, replacing it with a quiet acknowledgment of their shared past.

Coincidentally, Lovato is also set to walk down the aisle, having announced her engagement to musician Jordan Lutes (Jutes). The parallel timing of their engagements—both women finding happiness and stability in their personal lives—further highlights the strange, mirroring nature of their journeys. Both have overcome significant personal and professional hurdles, emerging stronger and ready for their respective next chapters.

The "Delena" friendship may not exist in the form fans remember from the Disney Channel days, but the complexity of their bond is a testament to the reality of growing up, changing, and finding peace. Their story is a powerful reminder that not all friendships are meant to last forever, but the impact of a childhood connection can be indelible, leaving behind a legacy of shared success and, ultimately, mutual respect.