Let’s be real for a second. If you grew up in the 2000s, you didn't just watch Disney Channel; you practically lived in the orbit of Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato. They were the gold standard. The ultimate "bestie goals" before that was even a hashtag. From the literal sandbox on Barney & Friends to the glittery chaos of teen superstardom, they were inseparable.
Then, things got quiet. Really quiet.
If you've spent any time on TikTok recently, you've probably seen the clips. People are dissecting every "like," every podcast mention, and every red carpet glance. The internet is obsessed with what Selena Gomez on Demi Lovato looks like today. Are they friends? Are they "industry acquaintances"? Or is it just a classic case of two people growing up and growing apart? Honestly, the truth is a lot more nuanced than a tabloid headline.
From Barney to "Ask Taylor"
They met when they were seven. Think about that. Most of us don't even remember our coworkers' last names, but these two were building an empire together before they hit double digits. The director of Barney & Friends, Fred Holmes, once said they were "pretty inseparable" on set. They ate lunch together every single day.
By 2008, they were the queens of Disney. They had the YouTube vlogs—remember the grainy webcams?—where they answered fan questions and laughed until they couldn't breathe. But fame is a weird, high-pressure cooker. While Selena was finding her footing with Wizards of Waverly Place, Demi was skyrocketing with Camp Rock.
Then came 2010. The year of the "shady" heard 'round the world.
A fan famously asked Demi, "How's Selena?" as she was signing autographs. Demi’s response? "Ask Taylor." Ouch.
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That one line launched a thousand ship-wars. It was the first public sign that the "Delena" era was fracturing. Selena had become incredibly close with Taylor Swift, and Demi clearly felt the shift. It wasn't necessarily a "feud" in the traditional sense, but anyone who has ever lost a best friend to a new group knows that specific kind of sting.
The 2025 Reconciliation (Sorta)
Fast forward to late 2025. It’s been years of "we wish each other the best" and "we aren't close anymore." But the narrative shifted again recently. Selena sat down for an interview on Jake Shane’s Therapuss podcast in July 2025. She was talking about the massive success of her Disney peers—Miley, the Jonas Brothers, and yes, Demi.
"It’s good to see them all do their thing," Selena said.
She didn't just skim over the name. Fans noticed a certain warmth in how she mentioned Demi. It wasn't the practiced, robotic PR answer we’ve seen in the past.
Demi actually responded to this. In September 2025, she appeared on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen. When asked about Selena’s comments, Demi beamed. She called the shout-out "really, really sweet." She even went a step further, gushing about Selena’s engagement to Benny Blanco and praising their 2025 collaborative album, I Said I Love You First.
Demi’s favorite track? "Bluest Flame."
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It’s these small, public olive branches that keep the fan base hopeful. They aren't going to brunch every Sunday, but there’s a clear, mutual respect that has survived the wreckage of their twenties.
Why the "Fallout" Happened
It’s easy to blame Taylor Swift or "industry competition," but that’s a surface-level take. The reality is that their lives took drastically different paths.
Demi has been incredibly open about her struggles with addiction, eating disorders, and the darker side of the Disney machine. In her documentary Simply Complicated, she revealed that during some of her most public "best friend" moments, she was struggling behind the scenes.
Selena, meanwhile, was dealing with her own health battles—Lupus and a kidney transplant—while navigating the most scrutinized breakup in pop culture history.
- Different Support Systems: Selena leaned into a tight-knit circle that included Taylor Swift and Francia Raisa.
- The Rehab Cycle: Demi has noted that she lost a lot of friends during her various stints in treatment. It’s hard to maintain a "normal" friendship when one person is fighting for their life in rehab and the other is at the Met Gala.
- Competitive Casting: In the Disney days, they were often up for the same roles. That’s a lot of pressure for two teenagers to handle.
In a 2020 interview with Harper’s Bazaar, Demi was point-blank about it. She said, "When you grow up with somebody, you’re always going to have love for them. But I’m not friends with her."
That might sound harsh, but it’s actually incredibly healthy. It’s an acknowledgment of their history without the performative "BFF" act that Hollywood usually demands.
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Supporting Each Other From a Distance
Despite the "not friends" label, they’ve shown up for each other in the ways that actually matter.
When Demi performed "Anyone" at the 2020 Grammys—her first big performance after her 2018 overdose—Selena was one of the first people to post on Instagram. She wrote: "I wish there were words to describe how beautiful, inspirational and DESERVED this moment was. Demi, I’m so happy for you."
And when Selena released her own documentary, My Mind & Me, insiders reported that Demi was supportive behind the scenes. They seem to have moved into a phase of life where they are "cheerleaders from afar." They understand the specific trauma of being a child star in a way no one else can.
What We Can Learn From "Delena"
The obsession with Selena Gomez on Demi Lovato isn't just about celebrity gossip. It’s about the relatability of a dying friendship. Most of us have that one friend from childhood who we don't talk to anymore, but we’d still defend them in a heartbeat if someone else talked trash.
Their "relationship" in 2026 is a masterclass in:
- Setting Boundaries: You don't have to be best friends with someone just because you were friends at age seven.
- Public Grace: Even when they weren't speaking, they rarely—if ever—publicly bashed each other.
- Growth: They’ve both evolved past the "Disney Star" labels and into distinct, successful women.
Next Steps for Fans:
If you’re looking to support both artists, the best way is to engage with their current work rather than digging up 2014 era tweets. Check out Selena’s latest work on Only Murders in the Building or listen to Demi’s 2025 album It’s Not That Deep. Both women are currently at their most authentic, and that’s worth more than a forced reunion photo.