Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato are two of the most influential women in Hollywood today for teens and young people. They are professionals at what they do considering they have been in the biz for over 15 years. Of course, both of the girls got their start on the hit show Barney & Friends. They were super young and formed a friendship that lasted for years afterward. Now that Barney & Friends is coming up on their 15th anniversary, the original crew from the show is spilling the beans about what Selena and Demi were really like in their old days.

The International Business Times talked to the producer of the show, Linda Houston, the director, Fred Holmes, the costume supervisor, Ken Weber, and hair stylist, Julie Janes-Love. These were the people that worked with Demi and Selena day in and day out. They watched their every move and in some ways felt like proud parents once the girls went on their own to become Disney Channel stars, make a name for themselves in the music world and become idols for millions.

Demi Lovato and Selena Gomez were really mature for their age.

Fred said, "I particularly remember Selena and Demi because they were really cute and very motivated. And the challenge with kids that age, especially boys, is finding kids that can stand up to the rigors of television. It’s a tough thing to do. They had to have a level of maturity that most kids that age didn’t have. And they were both great."

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Demi Lovato and Selena Gomez both nailed their audition for Barney & Friends.

Fred explained, "We would do a call where we would bring the kids in, one after another and have them read a little bit and sing a song. They would have to come with a song prepared, because that was essential that we tried to always cast kids who could sing, or at least be teachable somewhat to carry a tune. They both passed with flying colors, of course."

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Selena Gomez wanted to wear a tutu on her head during an episode of Barney & Friends.

Julie said, "Many of the episodes, the wardrobe department would include hats and scarves for the children to wear. One of my favorite times with Selena was when she wanted to wear a blue tutu on her head in one of the show’s episodes, and I remember having a blast playing with her and her hair especially on that day."

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Demi Lovato was always smiling and singing with Baby Bop on Barney & Friends.

Julie said, "Demi was always smiling and we would corner Baby Bop and sing together the Barney song ‘If all the rain drops were lemon drops and gumdrops oh what a day that would be.' I felt so goofy being a kid with Demi while opening our mouths pretending and imagining that the candy would just fall from the sky into our mouths."

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Demi Lovato wasn't as outgoing as Selena Gomez when they first started on Barney & Friends.

Linda said, "I know, Selena started out really strong. Demi was maybe not as outgoing as Selena, perhaps, at that time. She was a little more reserved and shy, which is surprising now, but Selena was very strong."

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There was a moment the crew knew Selena Gomez was going to be an actress.

Linda said, "I remember there was a little story we did called the 'Fisherman and his Wife' and after we looked at her performance on that shoot, we just looked at each other and said, 'She is really something, she's really a good actress.' And she was probably like nine years old and we just looked at each other and thought 'She's going to go somewhere,' and she did."

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Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato always ate lunch together while filming Barney & Friends.

"Fred explained, "Very early on, you could just tell, they clicked. Certain kids got along with other kids and they were just two of those that really clicked. They were pretty inseparable and ate lunch together and all those types of things." Apparently, they were always "laughing hysterically" on set, too.

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The Barney & Friends crew is very proud of what Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato have accomplished.

Linda said, "I thought, 'Wow, that's great.’ I was impressed. When I saw Selena landed the Wizards of Waverly Place, I was impressed. And I watched it. I just watched it and I was like 'Wow, good for Selena.' I had thought it was wonderful. And same with Demi, too."

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