David Henrie Says Selena Gomez Is 'Really Settling Into Herself' and 'Owning Her Life': It's 'Been Wonderful to See' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Selena Gomez and David Henrie at the Los Angeles special screening of “Monster Summer” at the DGA in Los Angeles, CA ‘Monster Summer’ Special Screening, Los Angeles, California, USA.Photo:Todd Williamson/JanuaryImages/ShutterstockDavid Henrieis always going to feel like a big brother toSelena Gomez.The actor, who starred as her older brother onWizards of Waverly Placefrom 2007 to 2012, has remained tight with Gomez, 32, in the years since the show ended, and the actorsrecently reunited for a new iteration of the beloved Disney Channel series.At the L.A. premiere of Henrie’s directorial debutMonster Summer,starringMel Gibson, he tells PEOPLE it was “awesome” to reprise his character alongside Gomez.“It was a dream come true. [She] and I have kept in such good contact and remain good friends,” he says.Reflecting on how the singer, actress and makeup mogul has evolved over the years he’s known her, Henrie, 35, says, “She’s continued to get more and more mature. She’s really settling into herself and her own and really owning her life.“He adds that it’s “been wonderful to see her continue to grow into a beautiful woman.“Selena Gomez and David Henrie on set of ‘Wizards Beyond Waverly Place’.Eric McCandless/disneyWizards Beyond Waverly Place—which Gomez, 32, only guest stars in for the pilot episode, though she is an executive producer alongside Henrie — premieres next month on Disney Channel, and follows an adult Justin Russo (Henrie) who has “chosen to lead a normal, mortal life with his family” when Alex (Gomez) lands on his doorstep with Billie (Janice LeAnn Brown), a young wizard in need of guidance.Henrie says of the new series, “Getting to pass the wand off to a whole new generation — but at the same time give a big, warm hug to our OG fans — is a dream come true for both of us.““It’s nuts,” he continues. “As I was driving here, we passed theWizardsposter on Sunset, and you see that thing and you’re just like, ‘Whoa. It’s really happening. It’s really happening.’ It’s crazy.“Selena Gomez as Alex Russo and David Henrie as Justin Russo in ‘Wizards of Waverly Place’.Eric McCandless/Disney Channel/GettyGomez feels equally chuffed to be returning to the Wizard World more than a decade later. The singer told theAssociated Presslast month that it was “like a dream” to be back on set.“I truly feel like it was the place I started and I’ll always be grateful for that time and I just hope that this new chapter can bring a whole new audience joy the same way that we did when we were younger.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Wizards Beyond Waverly Placepremieres Tuesday, Oct. 29 at 8 p.m. ET on Disney Channel and will be streaming the next day on Disney+.

Selena Gomez and David Henrie at the Los Angeles special screening of “Monster Summer” at the DGA in Los Angeles, CA ‘Monster Summer’ Special Screening, Los Angeles, California, USA.Photo:Todd Williamson/JanuaryImages/Shutterstock

Todd Williamson/JanuaryImages/Shutterstock

David Henrieis always going to feel like a big brother toSelena Gomez.The actor, who starred as her older brother onWizards of Waverly Placefrom 2007 to 2012, has remained tight with Gomez, 32, in the years since the show ended, and the actorsrecently reunited for a new iteration of the beloved Disney Channel series.At the L.A. premiere of Henrie’s directorial debutMonster Summer,starringMel Gibson, he tells PEOPLE it was “awesome” to reprise his character alongside Gomez.“It was a dream come true. [She] and I have kept in such good contact and remain good friends,” he says.Reflecting on how the singer, actress and makeup mogul has evolved over the years he’s known her, Henrie, 35, says, “She’s continued to get more and more mature. She’s really settling into herself and her own and really owning her life.“He adds that it’s “been wonderful to see her continue to grow into a beautiful woman.“Selena Gomez and David Henrie on set of ‘Wizards Beyond Waverly Place’.Eric McCandless/disneyWizards Beyond Waverly Place—which Gomez, 32, only guest stars in for the pilot episode, though she is an executive producer alongside Henrie — premieres next month on Disney Channel, and follows an adult Justin Russo (Henrie) who has “chosen to lead a normal, mortal life with his family” when Alex (Gomez) lands on his doorstep with Billie (Janice LeAnn Brown), a young wizard in need of guidance.Henrie says of the new series, “Getting to pass the wand off to a whole new generation — but at the same time give a big, warm hug to our OG fans — is a dream come true for both of us.““It’s nuts,” he continues. “As I was driving here, we passed theWizardsposter on Sunset, and you see that thing and you’re just like, ‘Whoa. It’s really happening. It’s really happening.’ It’s crazy.“Selena Gomez as Alex Russo and David Henrie as Justin Russo in ‘Wizards of Waverly Place’.Eric McCandless/Disney Channel/GettyGomez feels equally chuffed to be returning to the Wizard World more than a decade later. The singer told theAssociated Presslast month that it was “like a dream” to be back on set.“I truly feel like it was the place I started and I’ll always be grateful for that time and I just hope that this new chapter can bring a whole new audience joy the same way that we did when we were younger.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Wizards Beyond Waverly Placepremieres Tuesday, Oct. 29 at 8 p.m. ET on Disney Channel and will be streaming the next day on Disney+.

David Henrieis always going to feel like a big brother toSelena Gomez.

The actor, who starred as her older brother onWizards of Waverly Placefrom 2007 to 2012, has remained tight with Gomez, 32, in the years since the show ended, and the actorsrecently reunited for a new iteration of the beloved Disney Channel series.

At the L.A. premiere of Henrie’s directorial debutMonster Summer,starringMel Gibson, he tells PEOPLE it was “awesome” to reprise his character alongside Gomez.

“It was a dream come true. [She] and I have kept in such good contact and remain good friends,” he says.

Reflecting on how the singer, actress and makeup mogul has evolved over the years he’s known her, Henrie, 35, says, “She’s continued to get more and more mature. She’s really settling into herself and her own and really owning her life.”

He adds that it’s “been wonderful to see her continue to grow into a beautiful woman.”

Selena Gomez and David Henrie on set of ‘Wizards Beyond Waverly Place’.Eric McCandless/disney

Eric McCandless/disney

Wizards Beyond Waverly Place—which Gomez, 32, only guest stars in for the pilot episode, though she is an executive producer alongside Henrie — premieres next month on Disney Channel, and follows an adult Justin Russo (Henrie) who has “chosen to lead a normal, mortal life with his family” when Alex (Gomez) lands on his doorstep with Billie (Janice LeAnn Brown), a young wizard in need of guidance.

Henrie says of the new series, “Getting to pass the wand off to a whole new generation — but at the same time give a big, warm hug to our OG fans — is a dream come true for both of us.”

“It’s nuts,” he continues. “As I was driving here, we passed theWizardsposter on Sunset, and you see that thing and you’re just like, ‘Whoa. It’s really happening. It’s really happening.’ It’s crazy.”

Selena Gomez as Alex Russo and David Henrie as Justin Russo in ‘Wizards of Waverly Place’.Eric McCandless/Disney Channel/Getty

Eric McCandless/Disney Channel/Getty

Gomez feels equally chuffed to be returning to the Wizard World more than a decade later. The singer told theAssociated Presslast month that it was “like a dream” to be back on set.

“I truly feel like it was the place I started and I’ll always be grateful for that time and I just hope that this new chapter can bring a whole new audience joy the same way that we did when we were younger.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Wizards Beyond Waverly Placepremieres Tuesday, Oct. 29 at 8 p.m. ET on Disney Channel and will be streaming the next day on Disney+.

source: people.com