Selena Gomez Tapped as an Ambassador to The Ryan Seacrest Foundation

Selena Gomez has been named an ambassador to the Ryan Seacrest Foundation.

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The former Disney channel star announced the news on Seacrest’s radio show Friday morning, with the American Idol host telling listeners that kids “absolutely melt” around Gomez. In her new role with the non-profit organization, which provides children's hospitals with multimedia centers, she will continue to visit new locations in an official capacity.

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"From the beginning, I could tell that Selena really understood our mission. I’m so grateful that she’s decided to take on this larger role with us, joining our efforts to bring hope and spirit to seriously ill and injured kids," said Seacrest, founder and chairman of the foundation, which has broadcast facilities at children’s hospitals in Atlanta and Philadelphia, and will soon launch centers in Orange County, Boston and Gomez’ native Texas. “With her as ambassador, we will continue to expand our programs at children’s hospitals throughout the country.”

The news comes nearly a year after the Wizards of Waverly Place star joined Seacrest at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where he was hosting the first broadcast from the hospital’s multimedia center installed by RSF. 

On Seacrest’s radio show, Gomez shared a story of meeting one of the hospital’s patients, Julia, who had saved a rose she had received at a Gomez concert a year ago Valentine’s Day and was learning to play her songs on the guitar. Gomez told Seacrest’s listeners that she went back to visit the young girl and the two sang her songs together.

While in the studio, Gomez also dished about her upcoming film role opposite James Franco in Spring Breakers, her "humiliating" appearance on the Lakers kiss cam with boyfriend Justin Bieber and the potential for a Spanish language album.

Email: Lacey.Rose@THR.com