Selena Gomez Says She's 'Done Playing' Alex Russo After 'Wizards Beyond Waverly Place' Finale: 'This Is the End'

As Selena Gomez shared her thoughts on the four-part finale of Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, the Rare Beauty founder's voice was laced with a mix of nostalgia and gratitude. For the singer-actress, reprising her role as Alex Russo in the Disney+ spin-off marked the end of a journey that began over 15 years ago. With the franchise's conclusion, Gomez is not only saying goodbye to a character she's played for over a decade but also to a part of her childhood.

The Wizards of Waverly Place franchise, which premiered in 2007, was more than just a show for Gomez and her co-stars. It was a family affair, a symbol of the joy and togetherness that comes with watching a show that appeals to all ages. The original series, which ran for four seasons, was a launching pad for Gomez's career, catapulting her to superstardom in the 2010s. Her success as a pop star was no accident, with Gomez notching 46 songs on the Billboard Hot 100, including the No. 1 smash Lose You to Love Me in 2019.

The finale of Wizards Beyond Waverly Place brought back one of the original show's most beloved characters, Harper Finkle, played by Jennifer Stone. Stone's return was a poignant reminder of the emotional toll of revisiting a part of one's past. For Stone, reprising her role was a bittersweet experience, a chance to say goodbye to her teenage self. As she shared with Entertainment Tonight, "It felt like saying goodbye to, in a weird way, your teenage self."

As Gomez closes the chapter on Alex Russo, she's embarking on a new creative journey. Her directorial debut on the third and final installment of Wizards Beyond Waverly Place marked a significant milestone in her career. The emotional conclusion of the spin-off series is evidence of Gomez's growth as an artist and a producer. With her latest music release, Te Olvido (La La), a collaboration with husband Benny Blanco and Becky G, Gomez is pushing the boundaries of her artistry.

The conclusion of Wizards Beyond Waverly Place marks the end of an era for the Disney+ franchise. As Gomez said, "This is it. This is the end." For fans of the show, the finale is a bittersweet reminder of the fleeting nature of television's golden age. The show's influence on popular culture is clear, and its conclusion will be felt for years to come.

Selena Gomez's legacy as Alex Russo will transcend time, a reminder of the impact that family-friendly shows can have on audiences worldwide. As Gomez hopes, "My hope is that people fall in love with family shows again, and that they hold this to a standard of appreciating what it means to just have a show that the whole family can get together, watch, hopefully laugh."

In the end, the conclusion of Wizards Beyond Waverly Place is a poignant reminder of the power of television to bring people together. As Gomez said, "I'm going to really miss that." The Rare Beauty founder's words are evidence of the enduring legacy of the Wizards of Waverly Place franchise, a legacy that will continue to inspire and entertain audiences for years to come.