Inside Selena Quintanilla’s Brief Life and Inspiring Legacy

Twenty-seven years have passed since the physical disappearance of Selena Quintanilla, but the absolute queen of Tex-Mex remains one of the most influential Latin celebrities in the region. She is an icon who revolutionized the American music scene, where she broke paradigms about Latin women and their musical impact. Today we commemorate the legendary diva, a Mexican symbol that will live forever.

Selena Quintanilla could be considered the first American and Latin artist to open the doors to Spanish-language music in the United States. The singer with Mexican roots treated the audience “Como la flor” and thus conquered hearts.

Selena dominated a male-controlled market, took her music across the continent, inspired millions. She was inclusive, humble and incredibly talented and she did it all at the age of 23. Can you imagine what she would be like today? Before we do, let’s remember the anecdotes, loves and her legacy.

He began singing at an early age. Abraham Quintanilla convinced with his daughter’s vocal potential, the Tex-Mex queen started singing at PapaGayo ‘s, the family restaurant.

The little girl performed songs in English along with her older siblings A.B. and Suzette Quintanilla to entertain visitors to the Texan restaurant. But this ended when the place went bankrupt in 1980. Although the family business ended, to this day Selena is still honored at that location.

The family was forced to live with 13 other people in Corpus Christi, Texas, as shown by Rebecca Lee Meza in the movie Selena. Abraham Quintanilla preferred to shop during the evenings to be seen with food stamps.

These adversities were no impediment, the father created a soundproof room in the garage of the house as a rehearsal room for his children. Thanks to this effort they made their way in the demanding world of music.

In 1994 Sábado Gigante invited to the set the star of the moment: Selena. As soon as Don Francisco started the interview, she confirmed that she recorded her first song when she was six years old. It is the song “Oh, mama!”.

“It’s Pablito Ruiz’s song. The song hit very hard with him. Not with me,” said the artist with laughter. In her childhood she had no idea of the success that was coming, but she certainly warmed up the engines for her success.

In mid-1984 the group releases the album Selena y los Dinos with the little diva as vocalist. At first out of respect for A.B. and her sister Suzzete as older siblings, the band was called Los Dinos con Selena but, the child prodigy’s leadership soon changed the order.

The Tex-Mex band quickly gained popularity. Between fairs, weddings, quinceañeras and entertainments, the performance schedule soon filled up, thus achieving financial stability.

On the radios you could hear the hit “Ya se va”, even so, many remained incredulous. Some claimed that, because of Selena’s age, they had no chance in the Tex-Mex market. The group had to fight for acceptance. Eventually it became clear that the rejection was never related to the age of the young people. It was all about the rejection of a female vocalist.

Finally, talent and popularity proved overwhelming, breaking down the barriers of machismo.

The Johnny Canales Show was one of the most popular variety shows in the 1980s. The Quintanilla patriarch got Selena y los Dinos to perform there in 1985.

The audience reception was sensational. Christian Serratos gave a wonderful performance in Selena: The Series; the performance allows us to recall that experience that would open the doors for the nine-time winner of the Female Vocalist of the Year category at the Tejano Music Awards.

“I met Selena at the Galleria Mall in Houston, but I didn’t tell her much because I wasn’t a celebrity …. I think she’s a legend, I looked up to her,” Beyoncé told MTV.

At the time Queen B had no idea of the relevance that she or Selena would have, however, the music of the Queen of Tex-Mex is part of her influences, according to her statements: “although I didn’t know exactly what she sang, it helped me a lot in the studio”.

For Selena, family was important. The experience of growing up in less pressing times led them to take advantage of the few things they could afford like The Big Bertha, basic transportation, restored by Abraham Quintanilla to save money on tours. The singer’s commitment led her to acquire 10 acres of land in Corpus Christi.

Her widower, Chris Perez, explained that Selena planned to build a big house to carry on the family legacy.

Between 1984 and 1988 Selena and the Dinos recorded six albums together: Mis primeras grabaciones, Alpha, Muñequito de trapo, And the Winner Is, Preciosa and Dulce amor. At the time, only Rick Treviño recognized the band’s value through his company Tejano Music Awards.

Treviño is part of the third generation of a Mexican-American family. He understood that a star was born and soon no one would be indifferent to Selena, the new musical revelation.

According to Vogue Mexico, Selena’s father pulled her out of school because of her booming music career, however, education was important to the singer. In fact, The Selena Foundation is mainly dedicated to supporting the studies of the little ones.

“To provide the motivation every child needs to complete their education, live an ethical life, love their family, respect human life and sing whatever song they were born to sing,” reads the organization’s mission statement.

Sony Music Latin and Emi Latin competed to represent Selena. As a result, the odds for the “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom” singer were impressive. Abraham Quintanilla decided in favor of Emi, who doubled the bid of their opponent. With this agreement, the label made history by incorporating the first female artist in their ranks.

From then on Selena saw a tremendous leap to stardom. Besides being queen of Tex-Mex, she was also queen of cumbia, Selena was simply queen.

Critics and the public do not always agree in opinion. While the public’s appreciation was enormous, the music industry turned a deaf ear. With the arrival of Emi Latin, things changed forever….

The debut album with the label was Selena, in 1990. With this album she ranked seventh on the Billboard Regional Mexican Albums chart and critics began to listen to the audience, which was reflected in favorable reviews for the singer.

That same year Selena met the love of her life, Chris Perez, according to the testimony that the widower published in his book “To Selena, With Love” (“A Selena, con amor”). The flirtation between the young lovebirds began when he joined the band as guitarist in A.B. and Abraham Quintanilla.

Soon the rumors of the relationship reached the ears of her father who drastically disapproved the romance. Only the singer’s mother supported their love.

While the singer had a vivacious and sassy personality, Perez, her now widower, is introverted and prefers to be behind the scenes. Chris knew the star, however, a trip to Acapulco allowed him to appreciate Selena’s true personality and they began their romance on the sly.

The Big Bertha. He immediately left Chris stranded on the road. “You can go home alone,” she told him as reported in Vogue.

Selena was miserable according to her sister Suzette’s testimony, but the show must go on. In 1990 she recorded the singles “Ya ves”, “La Tracalera” and the catchy “Baila esta cumbia”. Selena’s swaying hips in this song marked a unique style of enjoying Mexican cumbia.

There was no one who could resist moving the body with that cordial invitation. The songs were positioned at the top of the Hot Latin Songs and Billboard charts.

A prestigious soda brand turned to Selena to become its spokesperson. A red suit was needed and Pedro Torres asked Lucia Mendez the favor of giving him the suit. “Pedro told me to give her a red dress and it was one of the ones I liked the most, it was a Versace”, Lucía told Milenio.

Interestingly this was the same shade that Jennifer Lopez chose to pay tribute to the Texan star in 2012.

Despite being “from different societies,” the Forbidden Love between Selena and Chris Perez continued to flourish. At age 20, Selena ran away from home with Chris complicating her relationship with her dad. The events took her away from the patriarch for some time.

The couple decided to get married in 1992. The ceremony was modest. An express wedding at the Nueces County Courthouse. The same day of the event a local media published the news and Abraham Quintanilla took the tabloid by news.

Selena releases her third album with Emi Latin titled Entre a mi mundo. Most of this production was written by Quintanilla III. It includes 10 singles among which “La Carcacha”, “Ámame” and “¿Qué creías?” stand out, but there was one song that would change the career of the Texan singer forever: “Como la flor”.

Selena’s life was going through a whirlwind of important events, and on this track she dedicated “so much love” that it left an indelible mark on her discography.

The singer thought that being married her dad would accept their relationship right away, but it was a while before Perez was looked upon favorably by Abraham Quintanilla. Once again, the show had to go on.

The year of the wedding, Selena won her first “Lo Nuestro Award,” repeated her accolades in the “Female Entertainer of the Year” and “Female Vocalist of the Year” categories at the Tejano Music Awards; and prepared for her first Grammy with Selena Live!

Selena Live! It is a live concert that the queen of Tex-Mex performed at the Memorial Coliseum in Corpus Christi. It received double platinum certification in the United States for 2 million copies and a diamond disc in Mexico for 1 million copies sold.

The feat of the event got Selena her first Grammy Award based on the consent of millions of loyal fans who multiplied since that event.

If a shirt screams Selena, it’s the crop-tops. To them we must add the bustier. Just like her music, Selena added value to these garments until they became trends. Or maybe a classic for fashionistas.

In 1994, Selena Etc. was born. A space where the singer’s Latin roots were combined between clothing collections, manicure and hairdressing. A complete combo to become the queen of Tex-Mex.

In 1994 as part of the album Amor Prohibido includes the song “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom Bom Bom” written by Selena and Pete Astudillo. This playful song inspired by The Big Bertha and the love for her partner.

An allegory between the excitement for transportation and the fascination for Chris came together in this track that says: “Bidi bidi bom bom bom. And he gets excited. He doesn’t reason anymore. I can’t control it…” (Now you can read it without singing).

Selena learned Spanish with her songs. Since her repertoire is mostly in this language, it didn’t take her long to adapt. At first she did not feel confident to give interviews in Spanish, but with her popularity, the invitations piled up until she decided to participate in some shows.

Sábado gigante and El show de Cristina were popular variety shows he decided to venture into. Once these challenges were overcome, Hispanic journalists were able to interview the diva as normal.

While her artistic career was growing, Selena secured a plan B by studying at Miramar California University for a degree in Business Administration. Fame and music are not entirely stable things.

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This university degree made her the businesswoman who was formed behind the artist, for both in her stores and in her professional life in general, she required the financial knowledge to make the most of her achievements.

In addition to the fusion of musical rhythms, style, and charisma that reigned in that concert, another of the highlights were the outfits worn by Selena. Each outfit was recorded as a fashion reference. Even today, every girl wants to show off a slim figure with the singer’s style tights.

The phenomenon was completed with the comment that Selena made her own wardrobe. This opened the doors to the design industry and she soon opened a couple of boutiques.

For years the rumor circulated that the “Mexican Madonna” had an extramarital affair. Dr. Ricardo Martinez was the singer’s financial advisor, but apparently their relationship became something closer.

The Telemundo series, El secreto de Selena, leaves this possibility open. Journalist María Celeste Arrarás stated on Chismes no Like that both Dr. Martínez and Selena’s bodyguard confirmed this story. However, Chris Perez denies that his wife has been unfaithful.

During The Cristina Show she was asked the reason why she was uncomfortable with the sexy label and Selena replied, “I don’t see myself that way. I think it’s a natural thing. I think anyone ugly or ugly, very handsome or beautiful is sexy, depending on the opinion of who sees them. It’s just an opinion.”

Selena believed in beauty free of stereotypes or labels. She considered herself an example for young Latin American girls.

Yolanda Saldivar didn’t get involved in Selena’s life overnight. She submitted a proposal to make the fan club she ran official. Selena’s father and manager considered it for a few days and after several calls, she accepted.

After insistence he was convinced by Saldivar that it was a good idea to make Selena’s fame grow, without knowing the destiny that his daughter would have.

After becoming part of the Quintanilla family, Saldivar managed to gain Selena’s trust until she became her confidant. But the singer didn’t know until before her death that he had stolen money from her fans and from businesses she owned.

The one who ratted her out was her own brother. He told one of the designers of Selena’s boutiques what Saldivar was doing with the money of who she called friend, shortly after she found out.

In January 1995, Selena commented with Don Francisco that she had recorded a cameo in the movie Don Juan DeMarco, there she played a ranchera singer. The film stars Johnny Depp and Faye Donaway. Unfortunately Selena was unable to see the final result of her film debut seen that was released in mid-1995.

In addition to this occasion, she also participated in Televisa’s novela Dos mujeres, un camino, alongside Laura León and Erik Estrada.

With only 23 years old, a buoyant career and the affection of all the Latin public, the light of Selena’s life went out. The president of the singer’s fan club ended up attacking her icon. Yolanda Saldivar was responsible for Selena’s death on Friday, March 31, 1995.

Even today Saldívar maintains her stance that it was an accident. She has stated that she was trying to take her own life, but the mishandling of $200,000 seems a more accurate motive.

Selena’s body rests in Seaside Memorial Park in Corpus Christi, Texas since April 3, 1995. The ceremony was compared to the burial of John F. Kennedy. Later, George W. Bush, declared April 16, date of birth of the queen as Selena Day. It all happened a year after she received the key to the city.

In 1997, between Peoples Street T-Head and Shoreline Boulevard, the Selena Boardwalk was inaugurated.

Chris Perez described the loss of his wife as a nightmare. He signed away the rights to Selena’s estate. It took him years to recover. Then he founded the group The Chris Perez Project. And in 2001 he married Vanessa Villanueva, with whom he has two children.

In 2012 he published a book with his memoirs titled ‘To Selena With Love’ (“A Selena, com amor”). Differences with the Quintanillas eventually returned, but he remains true to his taciturn style.

One of Selena’s famous quotes is “the impossible is always possible,” however, there are exceptions. The essence of a person is a combination of factors, in her case, warmth, talent, beauty, attitude and unique respect. While we don’t have a replica of that whole, physically some stand out. Demi Lovato, Becky G, America Ferrera and Kim Kardashian all gave it a shot.

But undoubtedly it’s Jennifer Lopez who takes the crown. Not for nothing did the movie Selena make her famous.

After the departure of the Mexican Madonna, the recording studio where Dreaming of you was born was restored to become the “Selena Museum”. It is located in Corpus Christi and receives thousands of fans. The place exhibits her outfits, awards, records, car and even hobbies, such as her luxurious collection with 500 Fabergé eggs.

Another of her hobbies was sharing time with her five dogs and her python snake. This eccentricity you didn’t see coming, did you?

Hollywood’s Madame Tussauds Museum unveiled the wax figure created in honor of the diva on August 30, 2016. Only 300 people were invited to the event in which A.B, Suzette, Abraham Quintanilla and Chris Perez, took the top spots.

For the design was used as reference the outfit that the singer wore during the presentation of the album Selena Live!. The kinship with the singer blew the minds of family and fans alike.

Every adaptation about Selena‘s life takes us through intimate and personal spaces. In 1997 Jennifer Lopez brought the Tex-Mex queen to life under the direction of Gregory Navas with the supervision of Abraham Quintanilla. In 2018 Telemundo did the same with the seriesEl secreto de Selena.

The series generated controversy among the Quintanillas. Finally, in 2020 Netflix released Selena: la serie a production where the family vision returns, although it excludes the widower’s.

For the premiere of Selena: the series a call was made to all fans around the world to participate in the #TodosComoLaFlor challenge. The call was to lip sync to the iconic song “Como la Flor” and share the clip on Tik Tok.

TVyNovelas reported that a Guinness record was broken with the massive response in which 20 radio stations also participated. The first part of the Netflix series arrived on the platform with great success. In fact, the good reception among netizens led to the second season of the series being confirmed.

In 1995 the Billboard Latin Music Awards presented him with the “Spirit of Hope” award. However, Selena’s greatest award was the fertilizer in the path of women in Tex-Mex. Also, with her trajectory, she is a source of inspiration for Latin women, making her a female icon.

Selena empowered the Mexican community in the United States. She became an example that proves that with tenacity, talent and audacity it is possible to achieve your dreams.

“Selena represented all of us Mexican-Americans. She was the example that with hard work and effort you can achieve success. She herself said that the impossible is possible. Her goal was never to live forever, but to create something that will last,” said Suzette Quintanilla at the event where Selena’s star of fame was unveiled.

Other stars such as Eva Longoria, who affirmed that the star is a representation for the Latino community, were also there.

It is well known that Drag Queens are the masters of disguise. The transformation is total, not only physical. The process includes gestures, tastes, styles and perceptions. Likewise, the respect and impact of the icon to imitate are attractive points when choosing a character and Selena is one of the favorites.

Reality shows like “La Drag Queen Soy Yo” and “RuPaul ‘s Drag Race” have honored the singer. Just look at this photo of Valentina, queen or not?

In 2020 Danna Paola, Natti Natasha, Ally Brooke and Greicy paid tribute to Selena by performing a medley of songs including “Como la flor”, “Fotos y recuerdos”, “La Carcacha”, “Techno cumbia”, “Baila esta cumbia” and “Amor prohibido”.

The singers wore outfits that emulated Selena’s iconic outfits, this time in white. All four left their hearts on stage. The audience praised the performance. The congratulations on networks were apotheosic.

Selena’s name has not gone unheard over the years. During her lifetime, the singer only received one award in 1994 from the National Latin Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences in the United States. This 2021, the Grammy Awards announced a well-deserved tribute to present the Lifetime Achievement Award.

After 26 years of his departure, the result was a 2-second photo on stage that disappointed many.

Selena was a trendsetter and became a legend. A sweet and strong voice that sang with feeling. She created a multicultural bridge and with impetus she faced adversity. She was queen in several areas. A standard bearer who led women in Tejano music.

Selena’s legacy continues to live on, crossing borders and generations. More than a Mexican, or American representative, she was a staunch fighter here and there. This is why her departure hurt so much.