(Photo : Reuters)

Selena Quintanilla-Perez was a famous Mexican-American singer, song writer, model and much more.  She achieved international fame in the early 90s as her solo career in music using Spanish and English began to soar. She was known as the 'Queen of Tejano Music,' and her last album, released in 1995, debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, the first ever for a pre-dominately Spanish album.

Now, 25 years after her death, Selena is still one of the most beloved Hispanic-American role models that American culture has ever seen. Even today, amidst the issues, hurdles and challenges facing the Latinx community, Selena remains a beacon of hope to millions of immigrants.

In an article published in The Guardian, 5,000 people gathered in New York's Central Park in August of this year which was themed Selena for Sanctuary. This was in response to Trump's strict policies for undocumented individuals and to support immigrant-rights group like Make the Road New York. 

Selena's death was caused by the president of her fan club, Yolanda Saldivar. However, her death can not be felt at during concert as it was almost like she was there. Thousands of people dressed the way Selena would have dressed before, while others wore t-shirts with the face of Selena. Mexican performers also performed her hits songs like Bidi Bidi Bom Bom and Como la Flor.

It is said that Selena is the symbol amidst the political and economic crisis that Latinx are facing today. She lends hope to Latinx rights in every state-side of the country.

In the past few years, there were tributes offered for Selena and there have been numerous products named after her:

  • Beauty brand Mac launched a Selena-inspired make-up collection in 2016.
  • She received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2015 and around 4,500 people gathered during the ceremony, predominately members of the Hispanic community.
  • And in 2020 a Netflix series will be released to narrate the life story of Selena.

Selena admitted that she had problems in learning English and also had many challenges in her Mexican-American identity, but behind this she is still one of the most beloved personalities. She stated in an interview in 1994 that she feels "very proud to be Mexican."

"I didn't have the opportunity to learn Spanish when I was a girl, but it's never too late to get in touch with your roots," she continued.

On top of all that, Selena's fashion represents Latinx. The 25-year-old music manager and concert promoter behind Selena for Sanctuary said: "There was no artist who dressed like her, especially somebody that looked like us and represented us and a lot of us clung to that because we saw ourselves in her."

Her tragic and untimely death had a massive effect on the Hispanic community. Thousands of people filed past her casket in 1995, and 4 months after her death her music album Dreaming of You debuted. It was very historical because a Latina artist reached a wide range of audiences during a time racism was prevalent. 

Selena is indeed influential and despite years after her death, she is still remembered by thousands of Latinx because of her achievement, and until now, no one can surpass the positive effect Selena has left on everyone.