Selena's Legacy Lives On Twenty-Five Years Later
Selena Quintanilla-Perez, famously known as Selena, was a Latina icon who introduced Tejano music to the world. Twenty-five years after her death, Selena---who was murdered at the tender age of 23---is still making headlines and influencing music, culture, and traditions.
Selena was a trailblazer, bagging multiple awards and becoming the first Latina musician to achieve a gold record status for her Tejano album. She was also an established recording artist, earning her famous nickname 'The Mexican Madonna' after taking the second spot on Billboards Latin Albums charts.
The Latin singer was recently awarded a place at Houston Rodeo's Star Trail of Fame where her bronze plague sits among other famous artists like Elvis. Netflix also announced a series showcasing her life and career. Christian Serratos, famously known for her role as Rosita Espinosa in AMC's The Walking Dead, was tapped to portray Quintanilla.
Famous make-up brand MAC announced its release of a second Selena-inspired collection due to drop in April 2020. The first line, which was launched in 2016, reportedly sold out within minutes.
Jennifer Lopez, who rose to stardom after she played Selena in a 1997 film, recently posted a Selena-themed video honoring the legacy and inspiration Quintanilla was to her.
Suffice to say, all these were enough to highlight the Mexican-American singer's impact on modern culture. Her life continues to be a beacon of hope and perseverance for other Latin artists.
Her unfulfilled life gave other Latinos the fire to show the world what Latin people can do. This is evident in many stars today such as Jennifer Lopez, Selena Gomez (who was named after Quintanilla), and Cardi B.
Gomez recently went on the record to credit her namesake for being a big influence in her career and artistry. She even got emotional after meeting Quintanilla-Perez's family.
Cardi B called the Latina singer-songwriter her alter ego in a Twitter post, "saying she's a person everyone wishes to be."
Selena continuously broke barriers in the industry, becoming the first woman in Tejano music to win a Grammy award in 1994. She also drove forward despite receiving multiple rejections largely due to her being a woman of Mexican descent who attempted to enter the male-dominated field.
Quintanilla-Perez was always seen as the best of both worlds---she did not begin speaking Spanish until she was in her teens, and her dark features and curvy body were not of the American culture.
Selena did not allow herself to be torn apart. She concentrated on achieving the goals she set for herself and forging a path that emphasized her uniqueness and identity. In the process of attaining her fame and influence, she provided a ground for Latinos to navigate and accept the language and culture of both worlds.
Her struggles opened the door to a place where other Latin people could admit their own struggles in maintaining and justifying their command of two languages. Her success became a beacon of hope as the Latin community finally saw their face and their culture proudly showcased on the big stage.
Her passing, though painful, will always serve as a reminder of the power Latinos have when they keep forging ahead. The Tejano artist paved the way for other Latino artists to take space and shine. And that is worth remembering.
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