7 Shocking Secrets And Rare Updates On Selena Gomez And Demi Lovato’s Barney & Friends Days (The 2025 Truth)

The childhood television show Barney & Friends holds a surprisingly dark secret: it was the unlikely launchpad for two of Hollywood's biggest, and most complicated, stars: Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato. Their shared history, which began with the purple dinosaur, is a captivating narrative of best friends, Disney Channel stardom, public feuds, and recent, rare acknowledgments of their bond. As of today, December 13, 2025, new comments and developments regarding their relationship continue to surface, proving that the "Delena" connection, forged in Texas over two decades ago, remains one of the most intriguing sagas in celebrity culture.

This deep dive explores the full, untold story of their time on the children's program, their parallel rise to global fame, and the definitive, most current updates on where their friendship stands today, including Demi Lovato's surprising reaction to Selena Gomez’s recent engagement.

Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato: A Full Biography and Career Snapshot

The story of "Delena" is a tale of two Texas girls who shared an audition room and a dream, leading to careers that have mirrored each other through music, acting, and public struggles. Their biographies are inextricably linked by their early start on the PBS set.

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• Selena Marie Gomez (Gianna)
  • Born: July 22, 1992, Grand Prairie, Texas.
  • Barney Role: Gianna (Seasons 7–8, 2002–2004).
  • Breakout Role: Alex Russo on Disney Channel's Wizards of Waverly Place (2007–2012).
  • Music Career: Selena Gomez & the Scene (2009–2012); Solo career featuring hits like "Come & Get It," "Lose You to Love Me," and "Single Soon."
  • Recent Projects: Star and Executive Producer of Hulu's Only Murders in the Building (2021–present); Founder of Rare Beauty.
• Demetria Devonne "Demi" Lovato (Angela)
  • Born: August 20, 1992, Albuquerque, New Mexico (raised in Dallas, Texas).
  • Barney Role: Angela (Seasons 7–8, 2002–2004).
  • Breakout Role: Mitchie Torres in Disney Channel's Camp Rock (2008); Title role in Sonny with a Chance (2009–2011).
  • Music Career: Multi-platinum solo artist with albums like Don't Forget, Here We Go Again, and Holy Fvck. Known for powerful vocals and candid lyrics.
  • Recent Projects: Continues to release music and advocate for mental health and addiction recovery; new Disney+ documentary projects.

The Unlikely Origin: Auditions, Gianna, and Angela

The shared experience of being child actors in Dallas, Texas, cemented a bond that few in Hollywood can replicate. Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato first met at the audition for Barney & Friends. They were both seven years old, a time they have consistently recalled as the beginning of their intense, sister-like friendship.

They secured roles as two of Barney's new friends for the show’s seventh season. Selena played Gianna, and Demi played Angela. Their characters were often paired together in scenes, from singing the famous "I Love You" song to participating in the show’s educational skits.

The environment of the show, which focused heavily on imagination, kindness, and sharing, provided a safe bubble for the young stars. They spent their formative years navigating the peculiar world of show business together. This shared foundation, however, would later become the source of both their greatest collaboration and their most public estrangement.

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The "Barney Was Hot" Anecdote

One of the most viral and endearing stories from their time on set highlights their budding childhood crushes. In a 2017 interview, Selena Gomez confessed a hilarious detail about the performer inside the iconic purple costume. She admitted that she thought the actor playing the dinosaur was "hot." This anecdote, which Demi Lovato has also referenced, provides a rare, humanizing glimpse into the surreal reality of being a child star on a massive production. It shows that even on a set with a giant purple dinosaur, the young girls were just regular kids with typical, slightly awkward crushes.

From Purple Dinosaur to Disney Channel Dominance

After their run on Barney & Friends concluded, the two friends embarked on parallel paths that would solidify their status as global teen idols. This period, from roughly 2007 to 2010, was the peak of their professional and personal closeness, marked by the rise of the "Delena" phenomenon.

• The Disney Channel Takeover: In late 2007, both stars landed career-defining roles. Selena became the sarcastic yet lovable Alex Russo on Wizards of Waverly Place, while Demi was cast as the lead in the smash-hit Disney Channel Original Movie, Camp Rock, alongside the Jonas Brothers.
• The Joint Project: The pinnacle of their on-screen friendship came in 2009 with the release of the Disney Channel Original Movie, Princess Protection Program. The film, which saw them co-star as best friends, was a massive success and a testament to their real-life chemistry.
• The YouTube Vlogs: During this era, they frequently posted candid, often goofy YouTube video blogs, further endearing them to fans who loved their genuine connection. This period also saw Demi star in her own series, Sonny with a Chance, cementing their dominance over the network, alongside other stars like Miley Cyrus.

However, the intense pressure of the Disney machine, coupled with their individual struggles and the natural drift of growing up, led to a public and painful separation. The years following their Disney peak were marked by periods of silence, cryptic social media messages, and a noticeable distance, fueling years of media speculation about their "complicated" friendship.

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The 2025 Update: Engagement Reaction and Rare Public Remarks

Despite the years of distance, Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato's history ensures that any public mention of the other becomes an immediate headline. The latest and most definitive updates on their relationship have emerged in late 2024 and early 2025, providing a rare glimpse into their current dynamic.

The most significant recent development followed Selena Gomez's high-profile engagement to music producer Benny Blanco in December 2024. During a televised interview on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen (*WWHL*) in early 2025, Demi Lovato was asked about her former co-star's news.

Lovato's response was measured yet supportive, a clear sign of mutual respect despite the lack of current closeness. She confirmed that she had heard about the engagement and offered a sincere, positive remark. This public acknowledgment, while brief, was considered a major moment for fans of the "Delena" friendship, signaling an end to any lingering public animosity.

Furthermore, in a 2025 interview on the Pass That Puss podcast, Selena Gomez was asked about her former Disney Channel co-stars. While she didn't focus solely on Lovato, she spoke generally about the shared experience and mutual respect she holds for those who went through the unique pressures of child stardom with her. These small, yet significant, public remarks confirm that while the intense closeness of their *Barney* and Disney days is gone, a professional and personal respect remains.

Other Famous Faces from the Barney & Friends Cast

The true legacy of Barney & Friends is its ability to spot future talent. Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato are the most famous examples, but they are far from the only stars who got their start with the purple dinosaur. This phenomenon adds to the show's topical authority as a true Hollywood incubator.

• Jaren Lewison: Now known for his starring role as Ben Gross on the popular Netflix series Never Have I Ever. Lewison appeared on Barney & Friends as a child in the mid-2000s, proving the show's casting longevity.
• Madison Pettis: Known for her roles in Cory in the House and The Game Plan, Pettis also appeared on the show shortly after Gomez and Lovato left.
• Kyla Pratt: A successful voice actress and star of the *Dr. Dolittle* film series, Pratt was another cast member who went on to significant fame.
• Jackson Pace: He appeared on Barney and later gained recognition for his role as Chris Brody on the acclaimed series Homeland.

The sheer number of successful actors who emerged from the unassuming set in Texas is a fascinating piece of pop culture history. It suggests that the show’s casting directors had an uncanny ability to spot the charismatic qualities necessary for long-term success in Hollywood.