How Demi Lovato Became the Princess: The Surprising Role Swap With Selena Gomez

Before she rocked Balmain minis and sky-high Zanottis, Demi Lovato first captured hearts as a Disney princess.

Her early fashion moments, especially in Princess Protection Program, revealed a young star already comfortable in the spotlight and glamorous heels. Let’s revisit Demi’s royal makeover and how her style evolved alongside her rising fame.

Princess Protection Program: Demi Lovato’s Royal Disney Makeover

In 2009, Demi Lovato starred as Princess Rosalinda María Montoya Fioré in the Disney Channel Original Movie Princess Protection Program.

In her second Disney Channel Original Movie following Camp Rock, the word “Princess” is used 80 times.

Demi Lovato, just 15 at the time, transforms into royalty in a golden off-the-shoulder gown with satin gloves and a sash as Princess Rosalinda María Montoya Fioré in Princess Protection Program (Credit: Disney)

Role Swap: Demi Lovato and Selena Gomez Switch Characters

Demi Lovato was 15 years old when filming in Puerto Rico from March 14, 2008, to April 18, 2008. The movie was released on June 26, 2009, when she was 16.

Amy Stofsky designed the costumes for the 2009 Disney Channel Original Movie Princess Protection Program. She served as the costume designer for the film, crafting a diverse wardrobe that ranged from regal gowns to everyday teen attire.

Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato, both 16 at the time, strike a contrast in their Princess Protection Program roles—Gomez in casual sneakers and a green dress, Lovato in a golden ballgown and sparkling heels, highlighting the film’s royal-versus-regular-girl theme (Credit: Disney–ABC Domestic Television)

Selena Gomez, who was also 15 years old while filming and 16 when the Princess Protection Program was released, was initially cast as Princess Rosalinda Maria Montoya Fiore. Demi Lovato was cast as Carter Mason. However, the young actresses switched parts because Demi is “more princessy.”

Selena Gomez stuns in a one-shoulder white Tadashi Shoji dress while Demi Lovato turns heads in a strapless colorblock bustier gown at the 2009 Toronto premiere of Princess Protection Program (Credit: John White / INFphoto)

Premiere & Friendship: Red Carpet Style and Bond Beyond Disney

Selena Gomez looked stunning in a one-shoulder white Tadashi Shoji dress and Stuart Weitzman heels at the Princess Protection Program premiere in Toronto, Canada.

Standing back-to-back at the Princess Protection Program premiere, Demi Lovato (5ft 2½ or 158.8 cm) appears slightly shorter than Selena Gomez (5ft 4¾ or 164.5 cm), even with both stars wearing heels (Credit: John White / INFphoto)

A few days earlier, she told the Associated Press about her close friendship with Demi Lovato. They also worked together on the popular children’s television show Barney & Friends.

“You should be there for someone, and I think you should be honest with someone. I don’t think it’s healthy to go around gossiping and telling other people (things). I think it’s nice to just sit down with someone and tell them how you feel and get it off your chest.”

Though both 16 at the time, Demi Lovato appeared slightly taller than Selena Gomez at the Princess Protection Program premiere thanks to her towering black platform pumps, while Selena opted for elegant gray open-toe heels to complement her white Tadashi Shoji dress (Credit: John White / INFphoto)

“They knew we would never get any work done because we’d spend the night and we’d stay up late and talk,” she added about staying in a different building than Demi at night. “That didn’t work — I ended up living in her room half the time.”

After her Disney Channel days and rising music career, Demi Lovato began making bolder red carpet choices that showcased her evolving sense of style. One standout moment came in 2016, when she embraced high-glam fashion and fierce footwear at a major music event.

Balmain & Zanotti: Demi Lovato’s 2016 Wango Tango Fashion Moment

In May 2016, Princess Protection Program actress Demi Lovato looked confident as she arrived at 102.7 KIIS FM’s 2016 Wango Tango held at StubHub Center in California.

Demi Lovato tousles her dark hair for 2016 102.7 KIIS FM’s Wango Tango held on May 14, 2016, at StubHub Center in Carson (Credit: FayesVision / Apega / WENN)

The then-23-year-old singer brought a heavy dose of sparkle to the pink carpet in a Balmain mini dress we spotted on Kris Jenner.

Demi Lovato sparkles on the pink carpet in a long-sleeved Balmain mini dress (Credit: FayesVision / Apega / WENN)

She highlighted her curves in the edgy dress, which featured a plunging neckline, structural shoulders, a thigh-grazing hemline, and a geometric pattern of black and gold sequins.

Demi Lovato wears a geometric-patterned sequined Balmain dress on the pink carpet (Credit: FayesVision / Apega / WENN)

Demi accessorized with a couple of chunky statement rings by Tacori and Effy Jewelry and a pair of earrings by Sarah Magid.

She wore her raven locks in a chic tousled bob and kept her makeup sultry with smoky eyeshadow, dark eyeliner, mascara, and pale pink lipstick.

Demi Lovato strikes a powerful pose in a plunging, animal-print Balmain mini dress and sky-high Giuseppe Zanotti platforms that added drama to her Wango Tango pink carpet appearance

Demi kicked off the event with a performance of her hit singles, including “Confident,” “Neon Lights,” “Stone Cold,” “Cool for the Summer,” and more.

Demi Lovato wears Balmain as she performs at the KIIS FM Wango Tango (Credit: FayesVision / Apega / WENN)

While many performers, like Gwen Stefani, switched their ensembles between the pink carpet and the stage, Demi remained faithful to her Balmain dress for the whole event.

Demi Lovato commands the stage in a glittering Balmain mini dress and Giuseppe Zanotti heels as she belts out a powerful performance at Wango Tango 2016

Zanotti Style Spotlight: Demi Lovato’s Iconic High Heel Moments

The “Camp Rock” star drew more attention to her shapely legs with a pair of towering Giuseppe Zanotti sandals.

Demi Lovato has consistently turned to the Italian footwear designer Giuseppe Zanotti to elevate her red carpet ensembles. Notably, at the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards, she paired a bold red Lanvin gown with gold snake-textured Giuseppe Zanotti ‘Coline’ sandals, showcasing her daring fashion sense.

Similarly, at the 2017 Grammy Awards, Demi dazzled in a Julien MacDonald dress complemented by metallic cross-strap Giuseppe Zanotti heels, further cementing her status as a style icon.

Demi Lovato’s feet and foot tattoos in towering Giuseppe Zanotti sandals (Credit: FayesVision / Apega / WENN)

These black satin shoes feature adjustable ankle-wrap straps, wide front straps with open toes, two-inch platforms, and six-inch sky-high block heels that dramatically elongated Demi Lovato’s petite 5ft 2 ½ (158.8 cm) frame, adding instant red carpet stature.

Demi Lovato’s black satin Giuseppe Zanotti sandals featured sky-high block heels and thick platforms, giving her a dramatic height boost while showcasing her “Let Go(d)” foot tattoo

Style Icons: Demi Lovato and Selena Gomez’s Fashion Evolution

From red carpet glam to street style chic, Demi Lovato and Selena Gomez have consistently showcased their evolving fashion sensibilities. Explore some of their standout looks:

Demi Lovato’s Bold Fashion Statements

• Event: BBC Radio 1 Teen Awards 2015
• Outfit: Demi turned heads in a red houndstooth mini skirt paired with a Victorian-style white blouse.
• Footwear: She completed the look with burgundy Giamba velvet platform heels, featuring peep toes and glittered block heels.
• Read more: Demi Lovato flaunts her legs in a houndstooth mini and sky-high heels

• Event: iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2015
• Outfit: Demi showcased a sleek black roll-neck jumper with a crocodile-textured emerald mini skirt from Topshop Unique.
• Footwear: She elevated her look with sculpted metal-heeled stiletto pumps by Versace.
• See more: Demi Lovato brings the heat in Versace heels at Jingle Ball

Selena Gomez’s Elegant Ensembles

• Event: Cannes Film Festival 2024
• Outfit: Selena exuded elegance in an off-the-shoulder Saint Laurent gown.
• Footwear: She paired the gown with Santoni heels, completing her sophisticated look.
• Discover more: Selena Gomez stuns in Saint Laurent at Cannes 2024

• Event: The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
• Outfit: Selena dazzled in a festive black sequin blazer and leather mini skirt by Chanel.
• Footwear: She completed the ensemble with Christian Louboutin’s “Jumping” pumps.
• See her look: Selena Gomez shines in Chanel and Louboutin heels

Selena Gomez Turns LAX Into a Runway in Vetements Boots

In April 2016, the then-23-year-old American singer and actress was spotted rushing to catch a plane at the Los Angeles International Airport. However, she didn’t hesitate to talk to two fans and sign autographs for others.

Selena Gomez clips her hair back as she rushes to catch a plane at Los Angeles International Airport on April 7, 2016 (Credit: WENN)

Selena wore a cleavage-baring white tee with a printed jacket and sweatpants from Vetements.

The singer styled her casual look with an unstable-looking pair of slanted-heel boots, also by Vetements, and a pair of the it-sunglasses from Christian Dior.

Selena Gomez signs autographs for fans as she arrives at LAX (Credit: WENN)

Selena stopped and bent over to talk to two young fans standing behind her in line, even though she was rushing to check in for her flight.

Selena Gomez steps out in glossy, sharply pointed Vetements ankle boots featuring the brand’s signature slanted heels—blending high fashion with architectural edge (Credit: WENN)

Selena showed off her bright disposition throughout her entire airport trek. She even took the time to thank a photographer who called her beautiful.

Selena Gomez turns the airport into a runway in slanted-heel Vetements boots, high-waisted black pants, and a bold satin bomber jacket as she arrives at LAX flanked by bodyguards on April 7, 2016 (Credit: WENN)

These moments highlight Demi Lovato’s and Selena Gomez’s dynamic fashion journeys, offering inspiration for fans and fashion enthusiasts alike.