- Demi Lovato and Selena Gomez first met as kids when they worked on Barney together.
- The pair starred in Disney Channel projects like Princess Protection Program as teenagers, and reportedly had a falling out in their adulthood.
- Now, Demi is opening up about where she stands with Selena in 2026.
A Delena—or, sorry, Demi Lovato and Selena Gomez—mention in our good year 2026 is just as unexpected as it is healing. The pair goes way back, since they met on the set of Barney as kids, and eventually ran the golden era of Disney Channel with Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers in the 2000s.
Now, Demi has made a rare comment about her former Princess Protection Program co-star—and where they stand in 2026—during an appearance on the Baby, This is Keke Palmer podcast.
Demi and Keke, who were formerly child stars, chatted about their relationship dynamics in Hollywood at the time, as they were constantly pitted against each other by the media and execs. The Camp Rock star then opened up about her friendship with Selena and how it made her feel “safe” in such a competitive landscape.
“What was beautiful is, Selena and I had a friendship prior to Disney Channel because we were actually on Barney together,” Demi explained on the pod’s March 3 episode. “So, I felt this safety when I came into the Disney Channel, having a built-in friendship there, already.”
The singer went on to say, “I’m so grateful for that, and will always be grateful for the friendship that I have and continue to have with her.”
Demi and Selena’s friendship has seemingly fluctuated over the years after the “Cool for the Summer” hitmaker first checked into rehab in 2010. Nearly a decade later, she maintained that she and Selena “weren’t friends,” despite still having love for her, during an interview with Harper’s Bazaar.
On the flip side, Selena gushed about Demi and other Disney Channel alum during an appearance on Jake Shane’s Therapuss podcast in August 2025. “We were all, you know, from the Jonas Brothers to Miley and Demi, and then it was Zendaya…It’s just so cool to see all the people you went to school with, if you will, it’s good to see them all do their thing,” she said.
Demi, who married her husband Jordan “Jutes” Lutes last year, also made sweet comments about Selena before her wedding with Benny Blanco during a September 2025 appearance on Watch What Happens Live! with Andy Cohen.
“I have listened to the album—really, really great job,” Demi said of Selena and Benny’s joint album, I Said I Love You First. “I 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.”
We simply love to see it!!
