ORLANDO, Fla. — Selena Gomez made a heartfelt appearance at the opening night of Demi Lovato's It's Not That Deep Tour on Monday, April 13, at the Kia Center, marking what appears to be their first public reunion in nearly a decade. The two former Disney Channel stars, who rose to fame together in the early 2000s, shared a warm backstage hug, as captured in a photo Gomez posted on her Instagram Story. This moment comes after years of reported estrangement, signaling a possible thaw in their once-close friendship.
Gomez, 33, expressed her admiration for Lovato's performance in an emotional post, writing, “I am in tears, [Demi Lovato],” via her Instagram Story. She continued, “This was hands down one of the best shows. Oh and the VOCALS? Psh *blown away*.” Accompanying the message was the image of the duo embracing, overlaid with a heart emoji, which quickly drew attention from fans and media alike. Earlier in the evening, videos captured by attendees showed Gomez in the crowd, enjoying a support set from singer Adéla before Lovato, also 33, took the stage for her first full-scale arena concerts since 2018.
The concert was a night of reunions for Lovato, who also shared the stage with her ex-boyfriend and former Camp Rock costar Joe Jonas. The pair performed a duet of “This Is Me” and “On the Line,” delighting the audience with a nostalgic nod to their Disney roots. Gomez's presence added another layer of significance, given the pair's shared history that dates back to their days as child actors.
Gomez and Lovato first crossed paths in the early 2000s while working on the children's show Barney & Friends. Their careers soon skyrocketed as teen idols, leading to a collaboration in the 2009 Disney Channel movie Princess Protection Program. Reflecting on filming that project, Lovato told interviewers in 2010 that it was challenging to portray conflict on screen because of their genuine off-camera bond. “It was really hard because we’ve never really gotten into arguments before,” Lovato said at the time. “We never antagonize each other like that. But it was fun at the same time.”
Despite their early camaraderie, the two reportedly drifted apart as they navigated adulthood in the spotlight. Rumors of tension surfaced in 2010 when Lovato, responding to a fan's question about Gomez during a public interaction, quipped, “Ask Taylor [Swift].” At the time, Gomez and Swift, 36, were close friends, having bonded over their relationships with Jonas Brothers members—Gomez with Nick Jonas and Swift with Joe—in the late 2000s. This comment fueled speculation of a rift, though no direct confirmation emerged immediately.
The estrangement became more explicit a decade later. In an April 2020 interview with Harper’s Bazaar, Lovato stated that she and Gomez were “not friends” anymore. She softened the revelation by adding, “I will always have love for her, and I wish everybody nothing but the best.” That same month, a source told Us Weekly that there was “no beef with Selena and there is no animosity between them” following their falling out of touch. The insider clarified, “They’re just not friends at this point.”
Signs of reconciliation began to appear in recent years. In August 2025, during an appearance on the “Therapuss” podcast, Gomez spoke positively about her former Disney colleagues, including Lovato, the Jonas Brothers, and Miley Cyrus. She said it was great to see them “do their thing” as adults, highlighting a sense of mutual respect amid their individual successes.
Lovato echoed this sentiment in a September 2025 interview on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, describing Gomez's support as “really, really sweet.” At the time, Lovato also congratulated Gomez on her engagement to music producer Benny Blanco, 38. Gomez and Blanco married on September 27, 2025, at the Sea Crest Nursery in Santa Barbara, California. “I couldn’t be happier for her,” Lovato said. “She’s engaged. I just wish her the best.”
“You naturally have insecurities at a young age,” Lovato acknowledged in a March 2025 episode of the “Baby, This Is Keke Palmer” podcast, reflecting on the pressures of early fame. “So you start comparing yourself to other people.”
She credited her mother for instilling a mindset of abundance, saying, “But one thing my mom instilled in me was, ‘There’s room for everyone. It’s not a competition.’ That’s what I really stuck by. That’s what kind of got me through that period. I was always rooting for everybody.” Lovato emphasized her ongoing gratitude for the friendships from her Disney era, specifically noting, “I will always be grateful for the friendship that I have and continue to have” with Gomez.
The It's Not That Deep Tour represents a significant return for Lovato, who has been open about her personal and professional challenges in recent years, including health struggles and a shift toward more vulnerable songwriting. The tour's opening in Orlando drew a packed crowd, with Gomez's attendance adding a celebrity spotlight that amplified the event's buzz. Fans shared clips online of Lovato's powerful vocals and the emotional high of the Jonas duet, underscoring the tour's appeal to both longtime supporters and new audiences.
Looking back, the paths of Gomez and Lovato illustrate the complexities of growing up in the entertainment industry. Both have built empires beyond Disney—Gomez with her acting, music, and beauty brand Rare Beauty, and Lovato with advocacy for mental health and a string of hit albums. Their reunion at the concert suggests that time and maturity may have bridged past divides, allowing for moments of celebration without revisiting old wounds.
While sources close to the pair have downplayed any lingering animosity, the public nature of Gomez's support at the concert speaks volumes. It aligns with Lovato's recent reflections on non-competitive camaraderie among peers. As Lovato told the “Baby, This Is Keke Palmer” podcast, the entertainment world has space for all, a philosophy that seems to have fostered this unexpected but welcome gathering.
The tour continues through the spring, with Lovato scheduled to perform in various cities before wrapping up on May 25 in Houston. Upcoming stops include major arenas across the U.S., promising more high-energy shows laced with personal storytelling. For Gomez, who has been focusing on her post-wedding life and upcoming projects, the outing appears to have been a joyful detour, reconnecting with a chapter of her past while cheering on a friend's milestone.
This reunion arrives at a time when many former child stars are reflecting on their legacies. Miley Cyrus, another Disney alum, has similarly navigated public perceptions of her evolution, and Gomez's podcast comments grouped her with Lovato and the Jonases in a collective appreciation for their shared starting point. Whether this sparks more collaborations remains to be seen, but for now, it offers a feel-good story amid the relentless pace of celebrity news.
As Lovato's tour gains momentum, the entertainment world watches to see if other Disney-era bonds resurface. The Orlando kickoff, with its hugs and heartfelt posts, serves as a reminder that even faded friendships can find new light under the stage lights.