Gomez performing at the KISS 108 Jingle Ball in December 2010
In 2009, Gomez continued to work on her acting career. She appeared in an episode of The Suite Life on Deck, portraying the character of Alex Russo. Her appearance served as a crossover between the series, Wizards of Waverly Place, and Hannah Montana, with all of the series' main characters appearing in the episode.[58] Gomez later guest starred as herself on an episode of the Disney series Sonny With a Chance, which stars Gomez's good friend Demi Lovato.[59] Gomez later provided the voice of Princess Selenia in the animated film Arthur and the Revenge of Maltazard.[60] Gomez, along with Lovato, starred in the Disney Channel film Princess Protection Program, which aired in June 2009. The film was a critical success,[61] and had a total of 8.5 million viewers during its premiere.[62] For the film, Gomez and Lovato recorded the song "One and the Same", which was later released as a promotional single with a music video.[63] The song had minor success, peaking at number 82 on the Hot 100 chart.[64] On August 28, 2009, Gomez starred in Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie, a television film based on the series.[65] The film premiered to an audience of 11.4 million viewers becoming cable's No. 1 scripted telecast of 2009 and Disney Channel's second most-viewed film premiere after High School Musical 2.[66] The film won the series its second consecutive Emmy for "Outstanding Children's Program" at the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards.[67]

Gomez had been working on her debut album since signing with Hollywood Records in 2008,[68][69] and later announced that she had formed a band known as Selena Gomez & the Scene.[70] In August 2009, the band released their debut studio album Kiss & Tell.[71] The album proved to be an immediate hit, debuting inside the Top 10 of the Billboard 200 chart in the United States.[72] Kiss & Tell went on to receive a Gold certification from the RIAA, and spawned the Platinum certified single "Naturally".[73] While the band began working on their second studio album, Gomez continued to work in film. In 2009, Gomez signed on to star as one of the two female leads in Ramona and Beezus, a film adaption of the children's novel series by Beverly Cleary.[74][75] Gomez stated that she felt no pressure in taking more adult roles,saying "I think I'm fully aware of my audience and I'm still just a kid myself. I wouldn't do a role I don't feel comfortable doing or that my audience wouldn't feel comfortable seeing."[76] The film premiered on July 23, 2010 and was met with generally positive reviews.[77] Gomez was part of Sears' back-to-school fashion ad campaign.[78] As part of the campaign Gomez was featured in the television commercials. In August 2009, Gomez also hosted the "Sears Arrive Air Band Casting Call" – to select five people for the first-ever "Sears Air Band", which performed at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards.[79] Gomez was a spokesperson for Borden Milk, and was featured in the campaign's print and television ads.[80] She was also a spokesperson for State Farm Insurance and appeared in numerous television commercials, which air on the Disney Channel, to raise awareness of being a safe driver.[81] Gomez later began dating film star Taylor Lautner, though the couple broke up after a few months of dating.[24]

Gomez during the We Own the Night tour, 2011
Gomez and her band released their second studio album, A Year Without Rain, on September 17, 2010.[82] The album continued the success of their previous effort, becoming their first album to reach the Top 5 of the Billboard 200.[83] A Year Without Rain spawned two singles, both of which entered the Top 40 on the Hot 100 chart.[84] It became the band's second album to receive a Gold certification from the RIAA.[73] In October 2009, Gomez announced her plan to launch her own fashion line, called "Dream Out Loud by Selena Gomez". The clothing line launched in the fall of 2010.[85][86] The