Selena Quintanilla, commonly referred to as “The Queen of Tejano Music” was a popular singer in the late 90s and inspired many within the Tejano community. She left her mark on not only the music business but also the acting and fashion industry. The star later tragically suffered an early death after befriending with the wrong ‘superfan’.
Selena Quintanilla Perez was born on April 16th, 1971 in Lake Jackson, Texas. Selena was an American Tejano singer and was viewed as a role model by many of her fans. She was always drawn to music and began singing In her father’s restaurant at a young age.
At the young age of just 15 years old, the star signed a record deal with EMI Latin and released her debut album ‘The New Girl In Town’, which quickly gained attention within the Tejano music scene.
Her career really took off in the 1990s with the release of later albums like Entre a Mi Mundo and Amor Prohibido, which really showcased her blend of Tejano and Pop style.
She eventually became the first female Tejano artist to win a Grammy and she also sold over eighteen million albums worldwide and gained a huge ‘super fandom’ because of this.
The star’s success however was not just limited to music. She also had her clothing line and owned two boutiques, as well as starring in her own movie ‘Selena’, which told the story of her life.
In 1995, just years after shooting to fame, Selena found out that the president of her fan club and her so-called “best friend”, Yolanda, had been stealing from her and there were concerns about her handling the fan club’s finances. Shortly after Selena confronted her, Yolanda grew defensive and her behaviour became increasingly erratic. On March 31st 1995 Selena was tragically shot and killed by her best friend and the president of her fan club in Corpus Christi, Texas. The star’s death shocked the world and her fans mourned their beloved “Queen of Tejano”.
Despite the star’s tragic death, her legacy continues through time as her music resonates with fans all over the world and her music is still largely listened to. The American singer is remembered today for breaking barriers for women and inspiring future artists to fulfil their dreams and embrace their talents.
Watch one of the star’s hit songs ‘Bidi Bidi Bom Bom’:
