Historical Figure
Selena
1971–1995
American singer-songwriter (1971–1995)
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Biography
Selena Quintanilla-Pérez was an American singer-songwriter. Known as the "Queen of Tejano Music", she is known for her contributions to popular music and fashion, which made her one of the most celebrated Mexican-American entertainers of the late 20th century. Media outlets called her the "Tejano Madonna" for her clothing choices. She also ranks among the most influential Latin artists of all time and is credited for catapulting the Tejano genre into the mainstream market.
Timeline
The story of Selena, told in moments.
Born Selena Quintanilla in Lake Jackson, Texas. Her father Abraham is a former musician who recognizes her voice at age six. He pulls her out of school in eighth grade to tour full-time with the family band, Selena y Los Dinos.
Wins Female Vocalist of the Year at the Tejano Music Awards. She's 15. She'll win it every year for the next nine years straight, dominating a genre that had been almost entirely male.
Secretly marries guitarist Chris Perez. Her father initially opposes it and fires Perez from the band. The family reconciles. Selena designs and sews many of her own stage outfits. She opens two boutiques in Texas.
Performs at the Houston Astrodome to a record crowd of 61,041 for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The attendance breaks the venue record set by Selena's hero, Michael Jackson.
Shot and killed by Yolanda Saldivar, president of her fan club, at a Days Inn motel in Corpus Christi. She's 23. Saldivar had been embezzling from the fan club. Selena confronted her. Over 60,000 mourners attend the funeral. Radio stations across Texas play her music for days.
Her posthumous crossover album Dreaming of You debuts at number one on the Billboard 200. It sells 175,000 copies on its first day. She becomes the first Tejano artist to reach the top of the U.S. chart. Jennifer Lopez stars as Selena in the 1997 biopic that launches Lopez's career.
In Their Own Words (14)
I could lose my heart tonightIf you don't turn and walk away'Cause the way I feel I mightLose control and let you stay'Cause I could take you in my armsAnd never let goI could fall in love (in love) with youI could fall in love (in love) with you (with you baby)
I Could Fall in Love, 1995
Late at night when all the world is sleepingI stay up and think of youAnd I wish on a starThat somewhere you areThinking of me tooI'll be dreaming of you tonight'Till tomorrowI'll be holding you tightAnd there's nowhere in the world I'd rather beThan here in my roomDreaming about you and me
Dreaming of You, 1995
The reason I'm really appreciative of everything that's going on around me is because of the fact that I never expected it, and I want to keep that attitude.
Selena interview MTV 1995, 1995
Con unas ansias locas quiero verte hoyEspero ese momento en que escuche tu vozY cuando al fin estemos juntos los dosQué importa qué dirán tu padre y tu mamáAquí sólo importa nuestro amor, te quieroAmor prohibido murmuran por las callesPorque somos de distintas sociedadesAmor prohibido nos dice todo el mundoEl dinero no importa en ti y en mí, ni en el corazónOh, oh baby.
Amor Prohibido, 1994
As, not only as an entertainer but as a person who who cared a lot and I gave the best that I could and I tried to be the best role model that I possibly could and the best person I could I tried to help.
Selena reflecting on how she wanted to be remembered. Selena Interview Lubbock, Texas 1994 (Restored), 1994
Artifacts (15)
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