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The couple that almost was. Selena Gomez<\/strong><\/a> could have had a groundbreaking relationship on Wizards of Waverly Place<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n Former showrunner and writer Peter Murrieta<\/strong> revealed on the Monday, March 27, episode of Jennifer Stone<\/strong><\/a> and David DeLuise<\/strong>\u2019s \u201cWizards of Waverly Pod\u201d<\/a> that the show\u2019s writers intended for Gomez\u2019s character, Alex Russo, to have a romantic arc with guest star Hayley Kiyoko<\/strong><\/a>, who played Stevie Nichols.<\/p>\n \u201cI wished we could have played more with \u2014 well, it was quite obvious to a lot of us \u2014 was the relationship between Stevie and Alex<\/a>,\u201d the television producer shared. \u201cBut we weren\u2019t able to in that time, but it was pretty clear to all of us what that relationship was, and that would have been fun.\u201d<\/p>\n Kiyoko, 31 \u2014 who has been dating<\/a> Bachelor Nation<\/a> alum Becca Tilley<\/strong><\/a> since 2018 \u2014 appeared on four episodes of the Disney Chanel<\/a> show\u2019s third season in 2010. During her story arc, Stevie befriended fellow teen wizard Alex before attempting to get her to join a wizarding world revolt. In defeating her friend-turned-foe, Alex accidentally turned Stevie to stone and tipped the statue over. Alex ended the series in a relationship with her werewolf boyfriend, Mason, played by Gregg Sulkin<\/strong>.<\/p>\n In the years since Wizards of Waverly Place<\/em>\u2019s conclusion in 2012 \u2014 and after the 2013 follow-up movie<\/a>, The Wizards Return: Alex vs. Alex<\/em> \u2014 the children\u2019s network has incorporated LGBTQ+ characters<\/a> into several shows, most notably Andi Mack<\/em><\/a> and the animated series The Owl House<\/em>.<\/p>\n \u201cThey did it,\u201d Murrieta said on the podcast, referring to Disney Channel\u2019s inclusion of queer characters<\/a>. \u201cAt that time, it wasn\u2019t a thing, but we got as close as we could to \u2014 I mean, it was pretty close. It was pretty much right there. That would\u2019ve been great.\u201d<\/p>\n Gomez, 30, recently chatted with Stone, also 30, and DeLuise, 51 \u2014 who played Alex\u2019s best friend, Harper, and father Jerry, respectively \u2014 on the February 27 episode<\/a> of their rewatch podcast, during which she admitted she wished she\u2019s kept more in touch with her former castmates. The series also starred David Henrie<\/strong><\/a> as Alex\u2019s older brother, Justin, Jake T. Austin<\/strong><\/a> as younger brother, Max, and Maria Canals-Barrera<\/strong> as Alex\u2019s mom, Theresa.<\/p>\n \u201cI felt ashamed of the decisions that I made. I didn\u2019t want you guys to see me in the state that I was in,\u201d the Only Murders in the Building<\/em><\/a> star confessed. \u201cBecause A: you would have told me the truth, which terrifies me. And B: I didn\u2019t want to let you down.\u201d<\/p>\n During her time on Disney Channel, Gomez dated ex-boyfriend Justin Bieber<\/strong><\/a> off and on from 2010 to 2018<\/a>. She has also dealt with numerous health issues over the years, including being diagnosed with Lupus<\/a> and bipolar disorder<\/a>.<\/p>\n The \u201cRare\u201d singer continued: \u201cLittle did I know that I ended up with everyone I needed to be in my life [from Wizards<\/em>]. I think I felt safe, and that\u2019s a really hard thing for me to feel. I know that you guys love me for me. You guys genuinely loved me, and that\u2019s all I could have asked for. The unconditional trust and bond<\/a> we had, I miss it so much.\u201d<\/p>\n Sign up for Us Weekly’s free, daily newsletter<\/a> and never miss breaking news or exclusive stories about your favorite celebrities, TV shows and more!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n In October 2022, the Monte Carlo<\/em> star snapped a pic<\/a> with a Waverly Place street sign while in New York City. She shared the nostalgia-inducing photo<\/a> with fans via Instagram, which she captioned, \u201cWhere it all began.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n