Selena Gomez and her former on-screen brother David Henrie reunited for a nostalgic dinner at the upscale Italian restaurant Giorgio Baldi in Santa Monica, California, this past Sunday. The pair, who famously portrayed magical siblings Alex and Justin Russo in the beloved Disney Channel sitcom Wizards of Waverly Place, shared a meal that highlighted their enduring friendship and professional ties.
A Nostalgic Reunion for Disney Channel Alumni
The 33-year-old pop star, often described as 'Texican' due to her mixed heritage, and the 36-year-old host of Seeking Beauty, David Henrie, first rose to fame together on the hit series that aired from 2007 to 2012. Their chemistry on screen as the Russo siblings captivated audiences over four seasons and two subsequent television movies released in 2009 and 2013.
Fashion and Family Moments
For the evening outing, Selena Gomez showcased a stylish yet casual ensemble. She carried a sparkly silver clutch and wore a beige ruffled top that bared her arms, paired with blue flared jeans and black toe-ring sandals. David Henrie opted for a preppy look, donning a brown polo shirt with khakis.
Accompanying Henrie was his pregnant wife, Maria Cahill, who was crowned Miss Delaware in 2011. Maria elegantly covered her growing baby bump with a baggy white blouse and matching sandals. The couple, who are based in Arizona and identify as Catholic, are eagerly anticipating the arrival of a baby brother for their three children: daughter Pia, aged seven, son James, five, and daughter Gemma, three.
Celebrating Milestones and New Beginnings
This Tuesday marks a significant milestone for David and Maria Henrie as they celebrate their ninth wedding anniversary. The family recently enjoyed a special visit to the Los Angeles set of the Disney Channel's continuation series, Wizards Beyond Waverly Place. The show is set to conclude this summer with a four-episode third season, wrapping up the magical saga that began over a decade ago.
Behind the Scenes of Wizards Beyond Waverly Place
Selena Gomez, the founder of Rare Beauty, has taken an active role in the finale season. She served as the executive producer and directed the first episode, which features a returning cast including Jennifer Stone, Gregg Sulkin, Maria Canals-Barrera, and David DeLuise, among others such as Janice LeAnn Brown and Alkaio Thiele.
Last Wednesday, David Henrie announced the completion of the first episode, stating, 'Episode one in the can!' He expressed his hopes for the season, saying, 'My hope is that our finale season ends the way the original show began, with family values and Russos having each other's backs! It's been an honor serving you all with this show.'
Professional Ventures and Personal Life
Beyond his acting career, David Henrie, known for his role in How I Met Your Mother, is the CEO of Novo Inspire Studios and a paid partner for the Theo: Prayer & Meditation app. He maintains friendships with figures like Erika Kirk, the CEO of Turning Point.
Notably absent from the dinner was Selena Gomez's husband, Benny Blanco. The couple married on September 27 in a ceremony reportedly worth $4 million at the Sea Crest Nursery in Santa Barbara. Gomez has openly discussed her challenges with starting a family due to lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease that required a kidney transplant in 2017.
In a 2024 interview with Vanity Fair, Gomez revealed, 'I have a lot of medical issues that would put my life and the baby's in jeopardy. That was something I had to grieve for a while.' She expressed optimism about alternative paths to parenthood, noting, 'I find it a blessing that there are wonderful people willing to do surrogacy or adoption, which are both huge possibilities for me.'
Career Highlights and Future Projects
Selena Gomez, a three-time Grammy nominee, first met Benny Blanco in 2008 during a business meeting when she was just 16 years old. He later contributed to her 2015 album, Revival. Her romantic history includes relationships with Drew Taggart, The Weeknd, and Justin Bieber, while Blanco has dated Elsie Hewitt.
Professionally, Gomez continues to thrive. Last October, Hulu renewed the comedy series Only Murders in the Building for a sixth season, in which she stars as artist Mabel Mora. Reports suggest she earns over $600,000 per episode for her role as both producer and actress, solidifying her status as a powerhouse in the entertainment industry.
This dinner reunion not only celebrated past successes but also highlighted the ongoing projects and personal journeys of both Selena Gomez and David Henrie, reminding fans of the lasting impact of their Disney Channel roots.
