Inside the fractured friendship between Disney icons Demi Lovato and Selena Gomez

Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato are bonafide Disney legends whose careers have transcended the typical lifespan for child stars. They really have been in it together since day one – the pair of them met and became friends filming Barney & Friends when they were just 10 years old. Their trajectories from stars of Disney TV shows and original movies in their teen years into successful pop careers and acting ventures has paralleled – but their friendship has not always been smooth. Here’s a look inside the fractured relationship between Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato, as Demi just spoke about Selena for the first time in years.

They used to be ultimate Disney besties

Demi and Selena used to vlog a bit, and they put one up before Princess Protection Programme in 2008 where they both gushed over how they were best friends whilst interacting with fans.

Via Disney

“This is my best friend in the entire world,” Demi introduced, and Selena continued, “And this is my best friend ever since we were 7 years old.”

Selena also said: “I think really what makes her a true friend for me is just that she’s honest with me, and she’s always there for me, no matter if it’s 3 in the morning, even if we’re not saying anything on the phone, just to talk to her and tell her absolutely anything. And she’s got the biggest heart ever.”

Things got bumpy in 2010

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Demi threw shade at Selena Gomez’s friendship with Taylor Swift, and then later gave an interview discussing their friendship where she said “We’re both busy, and I wish the best for her. True friends don’t let their friends or family be mean to you. If you can’t trust somebody, you can’t be friends with them.” Beefy.

Demi goes to rehab and then Selena reaches out 

Demi Lovato checked into rehab in 2010 for self-harm and an eating disorder – and revealed Selena rang her crying. Selena later said to Seventeen: “I’ve known her since we were 7, and we did fall apart for a while. She was going through things and I was so young and it was confusing. I processed it saying, ‘OK, I don’t understand what she’s going through so I’m just going to do this.’ I don’t think it was fair, and I’m so happy that I have her back in my life now.”

In 2013, Demi says her and Selena grew apart

Speaking to MTV for a special, Demi explained “We’ve been through a lot together, we’ve had periods of times where we grew apart and we just didn’t really talk.

“Now we are in a place where I think we realized that life is so short and that when you have people in your life that love you so much then, you should just always be around them,” she continued. “She’s going to be a big sister, and I want to be around for that. Everything about her, she has a great soul, she’s talented, she’s beautiful, and she will always be really, really close to my heart.”

Later that year, Demi unfollowed Selena on X.

Via Disney

Things were good for a few years then

Demi and Selena showed a load of love to each other since 2013 and praised each other’s songs publicly on Twitter. In 2017, they attended the InStyle awards together.

However, in 2018, Selena unfollowed Demi on Instagram.

Selena comments after Demi was hospitalised after an overdose

Selena stated at the time “All I’m saying is, I reached out personally. I didn’t do a public thing. I didn’t want to. I…I love her. I’ve known her since I was seven. So…it’s…that’s what I’ll say.”

Demi Lovato shows love to Selena Gomez and reveals she listened to her latest album with Benny Blanco:

“I have listened to the album, really, really great job. Loved the songs on it. ‘Bluest Flame’ was my song […] I couldn’t be happier for her, she’s engaged. I just wish her… pic.twitter.com/b61hqSMUSn

— Pop Base (@PopBase) September 17, 2025

Ups and downs in the 2020s

Demi then also unfollowed Selena, but both showed love and support to each other after various emotional performances in Demi’s recovery.

Demi just praised Selena’s 2025 album and it’s so wholesome

Speaking to Andy Cohen on Watch What Happens Live, Demi says she spoke about listening to I Said I Love You First – this year’s Selena Gomez record she made with Benny Blanco. Demi gushed:“ I have listened to the album, really, really great job. Loved the songs on it. ‘Bluest Flame’ was my song […] I couldn’t be happier for her, she’s engaged. I just wish her the best.”

Finally it feels like the Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato relationship is back on track. For now.

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Featured image via Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato on Instagram, as well as Startraks / Shutterstock