America Singer
America Singer is the 16-year-old protagonist of “The Selection.” America and her family belong to the "Fives," a middle caste, and therefore make their living off the arts. America is a musician who sings and plays several instruments. She is extremely skilled at this and is often requested by rich patron to perform at events. America is a romantic who risks the strict Illéan law by sneaking out to meet her boyfriend, Aspen. They meet in secret at night and plan a future together: America wants to marry Aspen and have several children. America is willing to suffer through poverty worse than her current state in order to be with Aspen. She is not materialistic, nor is she afraid of hard work or hardship. She is stubborn about what she wants from life. She is also extremely loyal to her family and is willing to go through the Selection because doing so benefits her family greatly. Throughout the Selection, America refuses to change who she is. She fights to maintain her sense of self and her idea of what is right among the elite in the palace. She routinely chooses to socialize with her maids over the other contestants or the royal family. Her honesty and her beauty endear her to Prince Maxon. America has a strong and brave character, which is seen through the way she reacts to rebel attacks.
Prince Maxon Schreave
Prince Maxon is the 19-year-old crown prince of Illea. America's preconceived notions of Maxon come from his appearances on the public broadcasting channel. She thinks he is an uptight and boring figurehead. These notions are shattered by their first encounter, where Maxon proves to be honest, patient, and compassionate to her in the face of her distress. Maxon is well-educated and concerned with the welfare of his people, but a lifetime of being lied to about the reality of his country misdirects this care. Maxon is involved in the running of the country and preparing to one day be king. He works closely with his father's side. America opens his eyes to the suffering of the lower castes, and he institutes a hunger-prevention program, even though it goes against the wishes of his father and the advisors in the palace. Maxon is very respectful to the contestants and does not push them to do things they do not want to do. He is good-natured and humble and does not hold arguments with America against her. Maxon has a sense of humor and can be playful. He is a romantic who hopes to find love through the competition. He loves America and allows her to stay in the competition despite the knowledge that she has feelings for another man, so that she can benefit from the process.
Aspen Leger
Aspen is America’s secret boyfriend. His family belongs to the caste of Six, which is the laboring and serving class. Because of the death of his father, Aspen works multiple jobs in order to care for his many siblings. He often goes hungry. He is hardworking and selfless, willing to make sacrifices on behalf of his family. He secretly saves money for his future wedding with America. He is also proud and struggles with his perception that men should provide for their families. It is because of his deep love for America that Aspen lets America go, not wanting to let her suffer as a Six the way he and his family did. After America goes to the palace for the Selection, Aspen is drafted into the armed forces and is sent to serve in the palace as a guard. His intelligence causes him to naturally excel in the role. He is described as extremely good looking and attracts the attention of several women. Although it is dangerous to do so, he decides to keep loving America and attempts to win her back, despite her participation in the Selection.
Mr. Singer
America's father is a kind and gentle artist from whom America inherits her sharp mind and tongue. His easy-going patience is a sharp contrast to his wife's demeanor. Although he and his wife loved each other at the beginning of their relationship, he hints that the stress of their life as Fives has complicated their relationship. Of all the figures in the novel, America's father is one of those who challenge the caste system the most. He tells America that his hope for her is that she finds true love in her life, outside of caste-based considerations. When America happens upon an old history book in his office, he lets her read it, even though they could both face danger for doing so.
Mrs. Singer
America has a strained relationship with her mother, who is strict about America's daily tasks and behavior around the house. She bribes America to enter the Selection by letting her keep a portion of the money she makes from singing. Mrs. Singer is the mother of five children and wants the best for her family, but she considers advantageous marriage to be the means through which her daughters can achieve this most successfully. The marriage of her oldest daughter, Kenna, to a Four, helps solidify this conviction. Mrs. Singer is not content with her status and therefore pushes for America's success in the competition, as the whole family would be elevated if she won. She is strong-willed and tough and as stubborn as her daughter.
Marlee Tames
Marlee is America’s closest friend in the competition. She was born a Four and is a friendly and good-natured girl who gets along well with others. She refuses to engage in the cattiness of the other competitors. Her natural beauty and kind disposition quickly make Marlee the favorite of all the Selected among the public. America thinks Marlee would make a good queen due to her faithfulness and compassion, and she works to get Maxon to notice her. A bond fails to grow between the two, and Marlee tells America that she does not have feelings for Maxon. Despite her lack of feelings, she has a secret which causes her to fight to stay in the palace. America still has not learned this secret by the end of the novel.
King Clarkson Shreave
King Clarkson is the ruler of Illéa. He is a dominant man and a capable ruler. He is smart, but not the most charismatic or charming person. He is not sensitive and can be harsh, even with his own family. He contrasts sharply with his gentle wife and is clearly the disciplinarian in the family. The king is depicted as being aware of his power in the country and ruthless in the maintenance of this power.
Queen Amberly Shreave
Queen Amberly gained her title through the Selection several years ago. She was once a Four which makes her more compassionate to lower castes than her husband. She is a gentle, composed, and regal woman who adores her son and is a source of comfort to him. Amberly had several miscarriages, and thus she treasures her son very much. She is described as a beautiful, graceful woman, and stands strong in the face of rebel attacks.
Anne, Mary, and Lucy
Anne, Mary, and Lucy are America’s three maids in the palace. They assist her by cleaning her room, making her gowns, bathing her, and dressing her. Because America treats them as friends and confidants, they work especially hard to ensure that America has an edge in the competition. Anne is the leader of the three. She was an orphan when she was taken to the palace. She routinely reminds the other two when they are acting improperly. Mary was born in the palace, and Lucy was sold to the palace due to her family's debt. Lucy is the most excitable and timid of all three and suffers from recurring panic attacks whenever the palace is attacked. She was once assaulted by a rebel during an attack on the palace. The three maids complement each other. They love America and keep her grounded by inspiring her caring and compassionate side. They all insistent on helping America, even when she doesn't want them to.
Celeste Newsome
Celeste is a contestant in the competition who is a Two. She is beautiful and cunning, skilled at manipulating people, and has a single-minded focus to win over Maxon and get the crown. She was a model before being selected. Celeste makes it clear that she is willing to play dirty to get what she wants, and constantly puts down and sabotages other contestants. She is jealous of America’s position as Maxon’s favorite. She is competitive and self-absorbed but acts nice while around Maxon in order to hide her true nature from the prince.
