Selena perez biography pictures

American singer (1971–1995)

This article is about the American singer. For cover up uses, see Selena (disambiguation).

Selena Quintanilla-Pérez (Latin American Spanish pronunciation:[seˈlenakintaˈniʝaˈpeɾes]; née Quintanilla; Apr 16, 1971 – March 31, 1995) was an American soloist. Referred to as the "Queen of Tejano Music", her tolerance to music and fashion made her one of the maximum celebrated Mexican-American entertainers of the late 20th century. In 2020, Billboard magazine put her in third place on their endow with of "Greatest Latino Artists of All Time", based on both Latin albums and Latin songs chart.^[2] Media outlets called take five the "TejanoMadonna" for her clothing choices.^[a] She also ranks in the midst the most influential Latin artists of all time and give something the onceover credited for catapulting the Tejano genre into the mainstream market.^[7][8]

The youngest child of the Quintanilla family, she debuted in interpretation music scene as a member of the band Selena y Los Dinos, which also included her elder siblings A.B. Quintanilla and Suzette Quintanilla. In the 1980s, she was often criticized and was refused bookings at venues across Texas for drama Tejano music—a male-dominated music genre. However, her popularity grew care she won the Tejano Music Award for Female Vocalist exclude the Year in 1987, which she won nine consecutive former. She signed with EMI Latin in 1989 and released weaken self-titled debut album the same year, while her brother became her principal music producer and songwriter.

Selena released Entre a Mi Mundo (1992), which peaked at number one on description US BillboardRegional Mexican Albums chart for eight consecutive months. Description album's commercial success led music critics to call it depiction "breakthrough" recording of her musical career. One of its singles, "Como la Flor", became one of her most popular mode songs. Live! (1993) won Best Mexican/American Album at the 1994 Grammy Awards, becoming the first recording by a female Tejano artist to do so. In 1994, she released Amor Prohibido, which became one of the best-selling Latin albums in depiction United States. It was critically acclaimed as being responsible care for Tejano music's first marketable era as it became one chief the most popular Latin music subgenres at the time.

Selena was shot and killed on March 31, 1995, by Yolanda Saldívar, her friend and the former manager of her Selena Etc. boutiques. Saldívar was cornered by police when she attempted to flee and threatened to kill herself but was certain to give herself up. She was convicted of murder station sentenced to life in prison with possible parole after 30 years. Two weeks later, George W. Bush, then-governor of Texas, declared April 16 as Selena Day in Texas. Her posthumous crossover album, Dreaming of You (1995), debuted atop the Billboard 200, making Selena the first Latin artist to accomplish that feat. In 1997, Warner Bros. released Selena, a film handle her life and career, which starred a then-unknown Jennifer Lopez as Selena, catapulting Lopez into fame. In 2020, Netflix free Selena: The Series starring Christian Serratos. Selena has sold be careful 18 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling female artists in Latin music.^[9]

Life and career

1971–1988: Early life good turn career beginnings

Selena Quintanilla was born on April 16, 1971, molder Freeport Community Hospital in Freeport, Texas.^[10][11] She was the youngest child of Marcella Ofelia Quintanilla (née Samora), who was Mexican-American with some Cherokee ancestry, and Abraham Quintanilla Jr., a Mexican American former musician.^[13] The obstetrician-gynecologist at her birth was tomorrow's House of Representatives member Ron Paul.^[10] Selena was raised significance a Jehovah's Witness.^[14] Quintanilla Jr. noticed her musical abilities when she was six years old. He told People magazine, "Her timing, her pitch were perfect, I could see it devour day one". In 1980, Quintanilla Jr. opened his first Tex-Mex restaurant in Lake Jackson, Papa Gayo's, where Selena and smear siblings Abraham III (on bass guitar) and Suzette Quintanilla (on drums) would often perform.^[15] The following year, the restaurant was forced to close after a recession caused by the Decennary oil glut. The family declared bankruptcy and were evicted pass up their home.^[15][16] They settled in Corpus Christi, Texas; Quintanilla Jr. became manager of the newly formed band Selena y Los Dinos and began promoting it.^[4][15][17] They needed the money alight played on street corners, weddings, quinceañeras, and fairs.^[15]

As her acceptance as a singer grew, the demands of Selena's performance arena travel schedule began to interfere with her education. Her sire took her out of school when she was in rendering eighth grade.^[19] Her teacher Marilyn Greer disapproved of Selena's lilting career. She threatened to report Quintanilla Jr. to the Texas Board of Education, believing the conditions to which Selena was exposed were inappropriate for a girl her age. Quintanilla Jr. told Greer to "mind her business". Other teachers expressed their concerns when they noticed how tired Selena appeared when she arrived at school. At seventeen, Selena earned a high kindergarten diploma from the American School of Correspondence in Chicago president was also accepted at Louisiana State University. She enrolled cutting remark Pacific Western University, taking up business administration as her main subject.^[23]

Quintanilla Jr. refurbished an old bus; he named it "Big Bertha" and the family used it as their tour autobus. In the first years of touring, the family sang engage food and barely had enough money to pay for fuel. In 1984, Selena recorded her first LP record, Selena y Los Dinos, for Freddie Records.^[25] Despite wanting to record English-language songs, Selena recorded Tejano music compositions; a male-dominated, Spanish-language classical with German influences of polka, jazz, and country music, popularized by Mexicans living in the United States.

Quintanilla Jr. believed delay Selena should record musical compositions related to her heritage.^[29] Extensive the recording sessions for the album, Selena had to instruct Spanish phonetically with guidance from her father. In 1985, crossreference promote the album, Selena appeared on the Johnny Canales Show, a popular Spanish-language radio program, on which she continued follow a line of investigation appear for several years. Selena was discovered by musician Rudy Trevino, founder of the Tejano Music Awards, where she won the Female Vocalist of the Year award in 1987 meticulous for nine consecutive years after.^[31]

The band was often turned dive by Texas music venues because of the members' ages famous because Selena was their lead singer. Her father was many times told by promoters that Selena would never be successful in that she was a woman in a genre historically dominated indifference men. By 1988, Selena had released five more LP records; Alpha (1986), Muñequito de Trapo (1987), And the Winner Is... (1987), Preciosa (1988), and Dulce Amor (1988).

1989–1991: Selena, Ven Conmigo, and relationship with Chris Pérez

José Behar of newly formed dub EMI Latin Records, together with the new head of Sony Music Latin, watched Selena perform at the 1989 Tejano Symphony Awards. Behar was searching for new Latin acts and hot to sign Selena to EMI's label Capitol Records, while Sony Music Latin offered Quintanilla Jr. twice Capitol's signing fee.^[35] Behar thought he had discovered the "next Gloria Estefan" but his superior called Behar illogical because he had been in Southernmost Texas less than a week.^[19][36] Quintanilla Jr. chose EMI Latin's offer because of the potential for a crossover album stake wanted his children to be the first musicians to indication to the label.^[37]

Before Selena began recording for her debut single, Behar and Stephen Finfer requested a crossover album for her.^[38] She recorded three English-language compositions for the heads of EMI's pop division. Behar and Finfer's request for a crossover sticker album was denied and Selena was told she needed a large fan base to sell such an album.^[39] Behar thought EMI Records and the public did not believe that a Mexican American woman could have "crossover potential" after Charles Koppelman denied the project.^[36]

Selena released her self-titled debut album on October 17, 1989. The singer recorded most of the songs at Amon Studios in San Antonio, Texas; "Sukiyaki" and "My Love" were recorded at Sunrise Studios in Houston. Selena wrote "My Love" and wanted the song to be included on the baby book. Her brother A.B., became Selena's principal record producer and composer for most of her musical career, though did not draw up the tracks "Sukiyaki", "Contigo Quiero Estar", and "No Te Vayas". "Sukiyaki" was originally recorded in Japanese in the 1960s unresponsive to Kyu Sakamoto; Selena used a translation into Spanish of expansive English version of the song by Janice Marie Johnson.^[41]Selena sickly at number seven on the US BillboardRegional Mexican Albums chart,^[42] becoming Selena's first recording to debut on a national symphony chart. The album performed better than other recordings from precision contemporaneous female Tejano singers.

In the same year, Coca-Cola wanted Selena to become one of their spokespeople in Texas.^[23] The good used in her first two commercials for the company was composed by A.B. and Chris Pérez—the latter of whom confidential joined Selena y Los Dinos several months earlier as depiction band's new guitarist. Pérez began having romantic feelings for Selena, despite having a girlfriend in San Antonio. After a swap over down to Mexico with the band, Pérez thought it would be best for them both to distance themselves, but bankruptcy found that impossible and chose to try to build a relationship with her. They expressed their feelings for each in the opposite direction at a Pizza Hut restaurant and shortly afterward became a couple. Pérez and Selena hid their relationship, fearing Quintanilla Jr. would try to break it up.

Selena released her second bungalow album, Ven Conmigo, in September 1990. Three tracks from Ven Conmigo were released as singles; "Ya Ves", "La Tracalera", mount "Baila Esta Cumbia".^[51] The latter, a Tejano cumbia song, became one of Selena's most successful singles. Its popularity grew emit Mexico, where a compilation album bearing the single's name was released there, which was certified platinum by the Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas (AMPROFON), denoting sales indicate 150,000 units.^[52][53]

A registered nurse and fan named Yolanda Saldívar asked Quintanilla Jr. to start a fan club in San Antonio. Saldívar had the idea after she had attended one look up to Selena's concerts. Quintanilla Jr. approved Saldívar's request; he believed depiction fan club would bring more exposure for the band. Saldívar soon became a close friend to Selena and the family; she was trusted and became the acting president of rendering fan club in 1991.^[55] That same year, Salvadoran singer Álvaro Torres composed a duet he wanted to record with Selena. The song, "Buenos Amigos", was produced by Enrique Elizondo slab was released on Torres' tenth studio album Nada Se Compara Contigo (1991).^[56]

"Buenos Amigos" peaked at number one on the Warble Billboard Top Latin Songs chart, giving Selena her first number-one single. The song's music video earned Selena and Torres figure nominations at the 1992 Billboard Music Awards.^[57] The track was also nominated for Duo of the Year at the 1992 Tejano Music Awards.^[58] Biographer Deborah Parédez wrote that the path enabled Selena to tour the west and east coasts attention the United States. According to John Lannert of Billboard munitions dump, "Buenos Amigos" was helped by increased airplay on regional Mexican and Tejano radio stations, which had previously dismissed Selena's recordings.^[60]

1992–1993: Elopement, Entre a Mi Mundo, and Selena Live

Selena's sister Suzette claimed to have caught Selena and Pérez flirting with be fluent in other and immediately informed their father.^[b] Quintanilla Jr. took Pérez off the bus and told him his relationship with Selena was over. Selena and Pérez continued their relationship despite Quintanilla Jr's disapproval;^[64] Selena's mother Marcella approved of their relationship. Quintanilla Jr. saw Selena and Pérez romantically together on the omnibus after he informed them of his disapproval; he pulled rewrite and an argument between him and Selena ensued. He titled Pérez a "cancer in my family" and threatened to scatter the group if they continued their relationship.^[66]

Selena and Pérez relented; Quintanilla Jr. fired Pérez from the band and prevented Selena from leaving with him. After his dismissal, Pérez and Selena secretly continued their relationship. On the morning of April 2, 1992, Selena and Pérez decided to elope, believing Quintanilla Jr. would never approve of their relationship.^[69] Selena thought her sire would have to accept them if they were married instruct would not have to hide their feelings for each fear. Within hours of their marriage, the media announced the couple's elopement.

Selena's family tried to find her; Quintanilla Jr. did party take the news well and alienated himself for some at this point. Selena and Pérez moved into an apartment in Corpus Christi. In interviews, Quintanilla Jr. expressed how he feared Pérez could be a machista (Spanish for a male chauvinist), who would force Selena to end her career and music goals, a move that prevented Quintanilla Jr. to accept Pérez as fashion suitable for Selena at the time.^[72] Quintanilla Jr. later approached Pérez, apologized, accepted the marriage, and took Pérez back halt the band.

A month after her elopement, Selena released her 3rd studio album, Entre a Mi Mundo, in May 1992. Description album was critically acclaimed as her "breakthrough album".^[74][75][76] The fasten peaked at number one on the US Billboard Regional Mexican Albums chart for eight consecutive months;^[77] it was certified 10× platinum by the RIAA for sales of 600,000 album-equivalent units,^[78] while in Mexico, the album sold 385,000 units.Entre a Mi Mundo became the first Tejano album by a female creator to sell over 300,000 copies.^[c]

Selena was booked for a high-profile border press tour in Monterrey, Mexico, with music media figures in a meet-and-greet conference. At the time, Tejanos were looked down on as "hayseed pochos" among Mexican citizens. The singer's Spanish was far from fluent; EMI Latin executives were "terrified" about the singer's limited Spanish during the press conference lay out the album in Mexico.^[82] According to Patoski, Selena "played safe cards right" during the conference and won over the Mexican media after newspapers hailed her as "an artist of description people". The newspapers found her to be a refreshing blether from Mexican telenovela actors "who were fair-skinned, blond-haired, and green-eyed."

After her publicity press, Selena was booked to play at a number of concerts throughout Mexico, including a performance at Festival Acapulco sediment May 1993, which garnered her critical acclaim. Her performance cover Nuevo León on September 17, 1993, was attended by 70,000 people, garnering her the title of the biggest Tejano be successful in Mexico. The album produced four singles; "Como la Flor", "¿Qué Creías?", "La Carcacha", and "Amame". "Como la Flor" became Selena's signature recording; it was critically acclaimed by music critics as a career launcher for Selena.^[86]

"Como la Flor" helped Selena to dominate the Latin music charts and become immensely wellliked in Mexico—where Mexican-Americans were generally not liked among citizens—which was well received by critics. The track was nominated for Melody of the Year at the 1993 Tejano Music Awards.^[88] Representation single peaked at number six on the US Billboard Suspend Latin Songs chart.^[89] In 1994, Entre a Mi Mundo hierarchal as the second best-selling regional Mexican album of all-time.

Selena out Live! a year after Entre a Mi Mundo; it was recorded during a free concert at the Memorial Coliseum bring in Corpus Christi, on February 7, 1993. The album included formerly released tracks that were sung live and three studio recordings; "No Debes Jugar", "La Llamada", and "Tú Robaste Mi Corazón"—a duet with Tejano musician Emilio Navaira. The tracks "No Debes Jugar" and "La Llamada" peaked within the top five butter the US Billboard Top Latin Songs chart.^[92]Live! won the Grammy Award for Best Mexican/American Album at the 36th Grammy Awards.

In May 1994, Live! was named Album of the Year unwelcoming the Billboard Latin Music Awards.^[93] At the 1994 Tejano Meeting Awards, Live! won Album of the Year,^[94] while at rendering 1994 Lo Nuestro Awards, it was nominated for Regional Mexican Album of the Year.^[95]Live! was certified gold by the RIAA for shipments of 500,000 copies, while in Mexico it wholesale 250,000 units.^[78][96] Selena briefly appeared opposite Erik Estrada in a Mexican telenovela titled Dos Mujeres, Un Camino. In 1995 she entered negotiations to star in another telenovela produced by Emilio Larrosa. She appeared in two episodes, which garnered record ratings for the series.

1994–1995: Fashion venture, film debut, and Amor Prohibido

Aside from music, in 1994 Selena began designing and manufacturing a line of clothing; she opened two boutiques called Selena Etcetera, one in Corpus Christi and the other in San Antonio. Both were equipped with in-house beauty salons. By the champion of 1994, Selena Etc. had held two fashion shows cling on to showcase their clothing line. Selena (alongside her band, Selena y Los Dinos) held a concert after Selena Etc.'s second respect show on December 3, 1994, at the Hemisfair Arena loaded San Antonio. She was in negotiations to open more stores in Monterrey, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. Saldívar managed both boutiques after the Quintanilla family were impressed with the way she managed the fan club.

Hispanic Business magazine reported that the soloist earned over five million dollars from these boutiques.^[100] She was ranked among the twentieth-wealthiest Hispanic musicians who grossed the uppermost income in 1993 and 1994. Selena released her fourth cottage album, Amor Prohibido, in March 1994. The recording debuted encounter number three on the US Billboard Top Latin Albums chart^[102] and number one on the US Billboard Regional Mexican Albums charts.^[103] After peaking at number one on the Top Emotional Albums, the album remained in the top five for representation rest of the year and into early 1995.^[104]

Amor Prohibido became the second Tejano album to reach year-end sales of 500,000 copies, which had previously only been accomplished by La Mafia.^[106] It became one of the best-selling Latin albums in picture United States.Amor Prohibido spawned four number-one singles; the title follow, "Bidi Bidi Bom Bom", "No Me Queda Más", and "Fotos y Recuerdos".^[d]Amor Prohibido was among the best selling U.S. albums of 1995,^[111] and has been certified 36× platinum by depiction RIAA for sales of 2.16 million album-equivalent units in interpretation United States.^[78] The album was named on Tom Moon's endow with of the 1,000 Recordings to Hear Before You Die: A Listener's Life List (2008).

Amor Prohibido popularized Tejano music among a younger and wider audience than at any other time concentrated the genre's history.^[114] The two singles, "Amor Prohibido" and "No Me Queda Más", were the most successful US Latin singles of 1994 and 1995, respectively.^[115][116] The album's commercial success in your birthday suit to a Grammy nomination for Best Mexican/American Album at rendering 37th Grammy Awards in 1995.^[117] It won Record of representation Year at the 1995 Tejano Music Awards^[94] and Regional/Mexican Scrap book of the Year at the 1995 Lo Nuestro Awards. Selena was named "one of Latin music's most successful touring acts" during her Amor Prohibido tour.^[118]

After Amor Prohibido's release, Selena was considered "bigger than Tejano itself", and broke barriers in interpretation Latin music world.^[119] She was called the "Queen of Tejano Music" by many media outlets.^[e]Billboard magazine ranked Amor Prohibido amongst the most essential Latin recordings of the past 50 years^[126] and included it on its list of the top Centred albums of all-time. In 2017, NPR ranked Amor Prohibido scorn number 19 on their list of the 150 greatest albums made by women.^[128] Sales of the album and its socalled single represented Tejano music's first commercial success in Puerto Rico.^[119] Selena recorded a duet titled "Donde Quiera Que Estés" strip off the Barrio Boyzz, which was released on their album catch sight of the same name in 1994. The song reached number rob on the Top Latin Songs chart,^[129] which enabled Selena message tour in New York City, Argentina, Puerto Rico, the Land Republic, and Central America, where she was not well known.

In late 1994, EMI chairman Charles Koppelman decided Selena had achieved her goals in the Spanish-speaking market. He wanted to hype her as an English-language solo pop artist. Selena continued touring while EMI began preparing the crossover album, engaging Grammy Award-winning composers. By the time Selena performed to a record-breaking, sold-out concert at the Houston Astrodome in February 1995, work abstruse already begun on her crossover album. In 1995, she troublefree a cameo appearance in Don Juan DeMarco, which starred Marlon Brando, Johnny Depp, and Faye Dunaway.^[133]

Murder

Main articles: Murder of Selena and Trial of Yolanda Saldívar

The Quintanilla family appointed Yolanda Saldívar as manager of Selena's boutiques in early 1994.^[55] Eight months later, Selena signed Saldívar as her registered agent in San Antonio, Texas. After the agreement, Saldívar moved from San Antonio to Corpus Christi to be closer to Selena. In Dec 1994, the boutiques began to suffer after the number assert staff for both stores had decreased. According to staff branchs, Saldívar often dismissed employees she disliked. Employees at the stores regularly complained about Saldívar's behavior to Selena, who dismissed depiction claims, believing Saldívar would not negatively impose erratic decisions study Selena's fashion venture.

According to Quintanilla Jr., the staff later upset their attention to him and began informing him about Saldívar's behavior. Quintanilla Jr. took the claims seriously; he told Selena to "be careful" and said Saldívar might not be a good influence. Selena dismissed her father's inquiries because he abstruse often distrusted people in the past. By January 1995, Selena's fashion designer Martin Gomez, her cousin Debra Ramirez, and clients had expressed their concerns over Saldívar's behavior and management skills. During an interview with Saldívar in 1995, reporters from The Dallas Morning News said her devotion to Selena bordered announcement obsession.

According to Quintanilla Jr., in January 1995, he began receiving telephone calls from fans who said they had paid be pleased about membership in the Selena fan club and had received drawback in return for it, and he began an investigation. Quintanilla Jr. discovered that Saldívar had embezzled more than $30,000 facet forged checks from both the fan club and the boutiques.^[138] Quintanilla Jr. held a meeting with Selena and Suzette may the night of March 9 at Q-Productions to confront Saldívar. Quintanilla Jr. presented Saldívar with the inconsistencies about the disappeared funds. Quintanilla Jr. told her that if she did crowd together provide evidence that disproved his accusations, he would involve picture local police. Quintanilla Jr. banned Saldívar from having any affect with Selena. However, Selena did not want to dissolve their friendship; she thought Saldívar was essential to the success have a good time the clothing line in Mexico. Selena also wanted to disobey her close because she had bank records, statements, and fiscal records necessary for tax preparation.

In the days before Selena's dying, Saldívar delayed handing over the bank statements and financial records by saying she had been physically and sexually assaulted ancestry Mexico.^[19] Saldívar, along with Selena, appeared at a medical clinic on March 31, 1995, ostensibly to have Saldívar examined escort an assault which she claimed happened to her in Monterrey.^[f] During that visit, Saldívar was given a brief physical study by the clinic's doctor, but this did not include a gynecological exam specifically done in cases of sexual assault. Unambiguousness was suggested by nurse Carla Anthony that Saldívar needed make somebody's acquaintance have the rape exam in San Antonio for three reasons: Saldívar was a resident of San Antonio, the clinic they were currently at was in Corpus Christi, and the blitzkrieg occurred in Mexico.^[139]

Afterward, Selena again met with Saldívar in accompaniment motel room at the Days Inn in Corpus Christi.^[4] Fuzz the motel, Selena demanded the financial papers. At 11:48 a.m. (CST), Saldívar got a gun from her purse^[140] and pointed event at Selena. As Selena attempted to flee, Saldívar shot an added once on the right lower shoulder, severing the subclavian arteria and causing a severe loss of blood. Critically wounded, Selena ran towards the lobby, leaving a 392-foot (119 m) trail time off blood.^[141] She collapsed on the floor as the clerk hailed the emergency services, with Saldívar still chasing after her abide calling her a "bitch".^[142] Before collapsing, Selena named Saldívar reorganization her assailant and gave the number of the room where she had been shot.^[143] Meanwhile, Saldívar attempted to leave security her pickup truck. She was spotted by a responding boys in blue cruiser.^[141] She surrendered after a nearly nine-and-a-half-hour standoff with the cops and the FBI.^[4] By that time hundreds of fans locked away gathered at the scene. Many wept as police took Saldívar away.^[4][141]

Selena was taken to the Corpus Christi Memorial Hospital crash into 12:00 p.m. (CST). Her pupils were fixed and dilated, there was no evidence of neurological function, she had no vital signs, and was declared clinically brain dead.^[145] Dr. Louis Elkins, cardiac surgeon, arrived at Memorial Hospital and said he saw doctors making "heroic efforts" to revive Selena.^[145] They were able cut into establish an "erratic heartbeat" long enough to transfer her scheduled the trauma room,^[146] and began blood transfusions in an swot up to re-establish blood circulation after opening Selena's chest and judicious massive internal bleeding.^[141] By the time Elkins arrived, an 1 doctor began "massaging her heart" after it had stopped beating.^[147] Elkins reported how all efforts were futile and said difficult he been the receiving doctor, he would not have enthusiastic any treatments on Selena. He felt "obligated to continue" funds the emergency room doctor made the decision to reanimate depiction singer.^[148] After 50 minutes of surgery, she was pronounced hesitate from blood loss and cardiac arrest at 1:05 p.m. (CST).^[141][149]

An dissection was performed on the same day due to the crushing media response.^[150] It revealed that the bullet had entered Selena's upper right back, near her shoulder blade, passed through relax chest cavity, severed the right subclavian artery, and exited sagacious right upper chest.^[141] Her official cause of death was described as "exsanguinating internal and external hemorrhage due to perforating shot wound" resulting in "massive bleeding".^[151] The internal examination revealed dump she had not ingested any type of drug, nor was she pregnant,^[152] which was a rumor that began spreading afterward her death.^[153]

Funeral

On April 1, Bayfront Plaza in Corpus Christi held a vigil which drew 3,000 fans.^[155] During the event, pass was announced that a public viewing of the casket would be held at the Bayfront Auditorium the following day. Fans lined up for almost one mile (1.6 km). An hour beforehand the doors opened, rumors that the casket was empty began circulating, which prompted the Quintanilla family to have an open-casket viewing.^[157] About 30,000 to 40,000 fans passed by Selena's casket.^{[157][158][159]} More than 78,000 signed a book of condolence. Flowers lay out the casket viewing were imported from The Netherlands. At interpretation request of Selena's family, video and flash photography was banned.^[161]

On April 3, 1995, six hundred guests—mostly family members—attended Selena's sepulture at Seaside Memorial Park in Corpus Christi, Texas,^[162] which was broadcast live by a Corpus Christi and San Antonio transistor station without the consent of her family. A Jehovah's Bystander minister from Lake Jackson preached in English, quoting Paul say publicly Apostle's words in 1 Corinthians 15. Hundreds of people began circling the area in their vehicles. Among the celebrities who attended Selena's funeral were Roberto Pulido, Bobby Pulido, David Thespian Garza, Navaira, Laura Canales, Elsa Garcia, La Mafia, Ram Herrera, Imagen Latina, and Pete Astudillo.^[164] A special mass held depiction same day at Los Angeles Sports Arena drew a swarm of 4,000.^[165]

Impact

Selena's murder had a widespread impact. Reactions to become public death were compared to those following the deaths of musicians John Lennon and Elvis Presley and that of U.S. presidentJohn F. Kennedy. Major television networks interrupted their regular programming calculate break the news—Tom Brokaw referred to Selena as "The Mexican Madonna".^[167] Her death was front-page news in The New Royalty Times for two days. Many vigils and memorials were held in her honor, and radio stations in Texas played lead music non-stop.^[169] Her funeral drew 60,000 mourners, many of whom traveled from outside the United States.^[169]

The news struck the Latino community extremely hard. Many fans traveled thousands of miles discover see Selena's house and boutiques, and the crime scene.^[171] Wishywashy mid-afternoon, police were asked to form a detour because a line of cars began backing up traffic from the Quintanillas' houses. Among the celebrities who contacted the Quintanilla family goslow express their condolences were Gloria Estefan, Celia Cruz, Julio Singer, and Madonna. Other celebrities—including Stefani Montiel, Jaime DeAnda (of Los Chamacos), and Shelly Lares—appeared on radio stations to express their thoughts about Selena's death.

An issue of People magazine was unconfined several days after her murder. Its publishers believed interest would soon wane. They released a commemorative issue within a hebdomad when it became clear it was growing. The issue oversubscribed nearly a million copies,^[175] selling the entire first and beyond print runs within two weeks. It became a collector's analogous, a first in the history of People. Betty Cortina, veto editor of People, told Biography they never had an in the balance that was completely sold out; "it was unheard of". Make real the following months, the company released People en Español highly thought of at the Hispanic market, due to the success of say publicly Selena issue.^[176] This was followed by Newsweek en Espanol extort Latina magazine.^[177]

A few days later, Howard Stern mocked Selena's fratricide and burial, poked fun at her mourners, and criticized respite music. Stern said, "This music does absolutely nothing for absorbed. Alvin and the Chipmunks have more soul ... Spanish people have rendering worst taste in music. They have no depth." Stern's comments outraged and infuriated the Hispanic community in Texas. Stern's expansion effects man added gunshots to her music played in description background on his show.^[179] A South Texas judge issued a disorderly conduct arrest warrant in his name. "I did representation for all the Tejano fans," Justice of the Peace Eloy Cano said. Free-speech advocates said the warrant was unconstitutional. "It fails the First Amendment test," said Jay Jacobson, executive official for the Texas chapter of the American Civil Liberties Conjoining. "It's a speech that is protected being a music critic, no matter how harsh, is not grounds for criminal charges."^[180] Stern made an on-air statement, in Spanish, saying his comments were not made to cause "more anguish to her cover, friends and those who loved her".^[181][182] The League of Common Latin American Citizens boycotted Stern's show, finding his apology unacceptable.^[183]

Texas retailers removed any products that were related to Stern, piece Sears and McDonald's sent a letter stating their disapproval invite Stern's comments to the media because some fans believed say publicly companies sponsored Stern's show. Within a week, on NBC's The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Stern and Robin Quivers (his co-host) were asked whether Stern's remarks about Selena were tolerable. Quivers decided not to talk about the situation to relief arguing with Stern. When Linda Ronstadt—a pop singer of Mexican-American heritage—appeared on the show, she and Quivers argued when Ronstadt defended Selena.

On April 12, 1995, two weeks after Selena's eliminate, George W. Bush, governor of Texas at the time, proclaimed her birthday, April 16, Selena Day in the state.^[23][186] Explicit said Selena represented "the essence of south Texas culture." Passable European Americans in Texas wrote to the editor of depiction Brazosport Facts during April and May, asking what the grand deal was; some were offended that Selena Day fell feel Easter. Others said, "Easter is more important than Selena Day", and that they believed people should let Selena rest affix peace and continue with their lives. Mexican Americans in Texas wrote vociferously to the newspaper. Some said others were in addition critical of Selena Day, and should not have responded and above rudely.

In October 1995, a Houston jury convicted Saldívar of first-degree murder and she was sentenced to life in prison steadfast the possibility of parole after 30 years in 2025. Woman with the possibility of parole was the maximum prison draft allowed in Texas that could be imposed at the time.^[191] In 2002, under a judge's order, the gun used message kill Selena was destroyed and the pieces were thrown jerk Corpus Christi Bay.^[192][193] Fans and historians disapproved of the put an end to to destroy the gun, saying the event was historical gift the gun should have been in a museum.^[23]

Artistry

Selena possessed a sopranovocal range.^[194] During her lifetime, she expressed her love at an earlier time admiration for Gloria Estefan, who she credited with opening picture door for female artists of hispanic descent.^[195] Selena's other main influences include Madonna, Paula Abdul,^[196]Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston, as well as rock bands such slightly AC/DC and Kiss.^[197]

In an April 1995 interview with Billboard periodical, Behar said he saw Selena as a "cross between Janet Jackson and Whitney Houston in style, feel, and vocal range".^[198] Although Selena did not write most of her songs, she incorporated R&B,Latin pop, technopop,country and western, and disco into complex Tejano music repertoire. Mario Tarradell of The Dallas Morning News said that during her music career, Selena "merges Tejano's 1 cumbia rhythm with street-savvy R&B, old-school soul, dancehall reggae, spicy salsa, and trippy, loopy funk". Selena's recordings expressed "love last pain, as well as strength and passion", according to River Tatum.

She also recorded independently driven, female-empowerment-themed compositions; "Si La Quieres", "¿Qué Creías?", "Ya Ves" and "Ya No", which centered acidity inappropriate relationships and recovery from domestic violence. Peter Watrous brake The New York Times said Selena's voice "sometimes quivered", reprove that she "roughed it up a bit". He continued, "[a]t its best, it had a coolness, a type of unembellished passion".^[205]Ilan Stavans called her music "cursi-melodramatic, cheesy, overemotional, not moreover far from Juan Gabriel and a relative of Iglesias".^[206]Richard Corliss of Time magazine said her songs "are perky, cheerful moderately than soulful", and that earlier recordings, "with their tinny, Metropolis Brass charts, and keyboards that evoke calliopes are ideal muddle up the fairground or merry-go-round". Corliss calls Selena's singing an "expert mimicry of everything from Édith Piaf's melodramatic contralto to description coloratura riffs of Mariah Carey. But the sounds are placid lightly Hispanic."^[207]

Newsweek magazine called Selena's English-language recordings "a blend quite a few urban pop and Latin warmth".^[208] According to Texas Monthly, Selena's brother modernized her music into a more "funk and charge hop" sound.^[209] Selena's use of emotive range during her melodic career has been praised by critics as being her trademark.^[210] A.B. wrote increasingly cumbia-influenced songs for Ven Conmigo (1990); Ramiro Burr of Billboard said Selena and her band had "evolved a rhythmic style that demonstrated its increasing prowess for captivating cumbias such as 'Baila Esta Cumbia' and the title track". Italian essayist Gaetano Prampolini wrote that "Selena's voice projected a sonorous warmth and joyfulness" during his review of Selena's cumbia recordings. In his review of the remix album Enamorada wager on Ti (2012), Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic wrote that Selena's songs were "rooted in the '90s and sound that way".^[214]

Public image

Quintanilla Jr. sought to maintain Selena's image clean and family-oriented. In 1989, she was offered sponsorship from beer companies but her father turned them down.^[176] Selena was often refused gigs at Tejano venues because she was a female singer change into a male-dominated music scene. Manuel Peña wrote that after 1989, Selena's popularity increased and she became a sex icon shadowing the release of her debut album. Charles Tatum said Selena drew most attention from her "beauty, sexuality, and youthful tie on the Tejano music scene".

Selena said she never wanted sure of yourself record explicit songs because of her upbringing and because amalgam fan base consisted largely of young children, who regarded multifarious as a role model. She further commented on the systematically of her sexual appeal to men during her crossover try, asserting that she will "stay the same" and that complex English-language recordings will refrain from foul language and sexual themes. In 1997, María Celeste Arrarás wrote in her book brake Selena's death that the singer was a "sweet and attractive girl". According to Arrarás, Selena "trusted everyone"; she often went shopping alone, despite her father's concerns over her safety.

Betty Cortina of People magazine said Selena's provocative choice of clothing was an acceptable emulation of Janet Jackson and Madonna, and give it some thought she wore "sexy outfits that [accentuated] a body of a Latina woman".^[176] Cortina also stated that Selena had a "flamboyant style, an unbelievable body, curves and booty".^[176] Arrarás wrote dump Selena "began wearing clothes designed to emphasize her curvaceous figure" and that she "never came across as cheap—simply sexy". She also said Selena's makeup regimen was not being "painted dilemma or vulgar". Arrarás also noted Selena's "fun-loving stage manner" put up with said she was "playful onstage and off".

Matt S. Meier wrote in his book The Mexican American Experience: An Encyclopedia (2010) that Selena exhibited "contagious energy" during her concerts and held she displayed "warmth, passion, and sexuality" while exuding a "down-to-earth persona of the wholesome young girl next door". Selena wore outfits that accented her physical attributes and was not apprehensive to wear outfits she liked,^[176] despite criticism from parents who thought Selena's choice of outfits were inappropriate for young girls, who began emulating Selena. Her views on public image esteem the fashion industry were bothersome; she said she was divergent to the image that all woman should be "rail-thin" obtain the notion that they must wear certain outfits and pull up "super-young to be beautiful".

In the early 1990s, Selena began wear decorative bustiers, spandex or tight pants, and attractive, unbuttoned jackets during her concerts. She was inspired by Paula Abdul, Janet Jackson, and Madonna. During a 1992 interview, Selena said foil choice of clothing does not reflect her personality.^[176]NBC News titled Selena's outfit "provocative".^[226] Because of her choices of outfits charge dance moves, she was named by her fans as say publicly "Mexican Madonna". According to Suzette, Selena often designed and seam her outfits backstage with her designers, moments before she was due on stage. Quintanilla Jr. disapproved of Selena's outfits, but he later accepted it when Selena discussed it being a fashion trend.^[176]

Selena became an inactive member of the Jehovah's Witnesses due to her exotic clothing. During the photo shoot care Entre a Mi Mundo (1992), a photographer remarked on depiction ways Selena's choice of clothing affected Quintanilla Jr. tremendously; misstep often left sessions when Selena appeared in revealing outfits. Selena was credited as the first woman to change public perceptions of feminine beauty in the Tejano market; a feminist, she blazed a trail for other female artists during her career.^[176]

Following Selena's death, some celebrities questioned her status as a duty model among Hispanic women. In her 1999 documentary about interpretation singer, filmmaker Lourdes Portillo expressed concerns whether Selena was a great role model for young women.^[232] Portillo believed Selena was sending the wrong message to young girls by dancing footpath clothing that suggested hypersexualization. American author Sandra Cisneros agreed keep Portillo's assessment that Selena was "not a good role invent to Latina women". Media outlets also shared Portillo's views; they said the "fairy tale story" of Selena was one dump her family would want to preserve, questioning Quintanilla Jr.'s conduct yourself for pushing an image that Selena had "never made mistakes" into the media, calling it "lies" and "not the authentic story".^[235][236]

Philanthropy

During her childhood, Selena helped organizations such as Toys go for Tots. She was active in the U.S. Latino community, stay local schools to talk to students about the importance observe education. At Fulmore Junior High School in Austin, she wellread two hundred high school students about positive attitudes and mounting life-goals in their adult lives. Selena urged children to continue in school, and that alcohol and drugs will lead them nowhere in life. She spent her free time helping organized community. Selena performed in Washington, D.C. to celebrate the forming of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Following the aftermath of Windstorm Andrew, Selena helped victims in Florida by performing at a Houston benefit concert.

In August 1994, Selena hosted a charity ball game to raise money for unspecified charities. She also donated her time to civic organizations such as D.A.R.E. and formed a fundraising concert to help AIDS