While the Playboy cover was a fabrication, the year 2013 was a massive turning point for Gomez's public image. Her transition away from the Disney brand was real, and it took place on the silver screen rather than in magazine spreads.
The primary catalyst for the adult media speculation was the theatrical release of the film on March 22, 2013. Directed by Harmony Korine, the neon-soaked, hyper-stylized crime drama starred Gomez alongside fellow Disney alumna Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Benson, and James Franco. Selena Gomez Playboy Magazine March 2013
She was finalizing the artwork for her first solo studio album, Stars Dance . Promotional photos taken around March featured her in a dark, intricate corset and heavy jewelry—a dramatic departure from her Disney wardrobe. While the Playboy cover was a fabrication, the
The timing of these rumors coincided with a major shift in Gomez's public image. In March 2013, her film Spring Breakers The timing of these rumors coincided with a
