7 minute read
25 Years of Selena Quintanilla
The Singer's Enduring Influence on Latinx Artists
Written by Diana Corona and Illustration by Emilie Thomas
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On March 31, 1995, the rising Mexican-American singer, songwriter, spokesperson and OG infl uencer Selena Quintanilla was shot and killed. She was just 23. Known as the “reina” of Tejano — its queen — the young woman was relishing in the beginning of her stardom when her life was taken abruptly, a shocking and devastating loss not only to the Latinx community but to her growing American audiences.
“I was in high school when she died,” says Esmeralda Bermudez, a Salvadoran Los Angeles Times staff writer who has covered Quintanilla’s impact over the years. “My best friend and I sat in her kitchen just stunned. We were about only 14, but we knew then it was a moment of tremendous loss in the Latino community.”
The loss of Selena’s life brought Latinx people and ideas together, infl uencing innovation where there was a previously unknown need — Latinx media. People wanted to, and needed to, know information on the young woman’s death, a public interest so massive it led to the birth of People en Español, Newsweek en Español and Latina Magazine.
Those who might not be familiar with Quintanilla’s contributions might ask, “What’s the big deal with Selena anyway? Why has she infl uenced so much of the Latin community for so long?”
While her impact was well-received and valued by many Latinos of all backgrounds, in this case, it might be helpful to ask a Mexican why a Mexican-American mattered so much.
Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times features writer and author of the book “Ask a Mexican!,” has dedicated his life to investigating and telling the stories of Latinos. When he’s not writing about the importance of foods in Latinx cultures, he’s answering the question proposed above —“What’s the big deal with Selena, anyway?”
“Selena is an icon of Latinx folks for many reasons. Her life ended tragically short, just like Mexican legends like Pedro Infante, Chalino Sanchez, and Jenni Rivera,” Arellano says. “She was someone who was unapologetically herself — Tejana and proud — in an era and culture that preferred women like her to be quiet and subservient. More importantly, her talent is immortal — the music, the fashion, the sense of pride in herself and her culture. A leyenda!”
A “leyenda,” which translates to legend, indeed. A leyenda whose infl uence is profound, especially in the arts. She was a force within the Latinx community; a catalyst who drove and continues to drive creativity, hustle and unity. March marked 25 years without Selena, a date to refl ect on her eternal presence in the media and in the arts. Her presence nationally has withstood the test of time thanks to many artists, who use diff erent mediums to tell her story and remember her impact on communities everywhere.
PERFORMING ARTS
Daniel Marquez, 26, also known as @dannypicante on social media platforms, is a Mexican-American content creator, actor, and screenwriter from the Inland Empire and current Los Angeles resident. A California Baptist University alumnus with a degree in communications, he is a lifelong, devoted fan of Quintanilla. Although he was very young when she passed, as a child he was inspired by her music and her presence.
“I performed her whole concert when I was 4 at my birthday party. I stood up on a pool table and I knew every song from her Disco Medley performance in the Astrodome,” Marquez says. ➤
As an adult, Quintanilla’s presence became an inspiration not only in his art but in his identity. “She provided a pillow of comfort when I came out; she softened it,” Marquez says. “She’s always been that muse for me and for us; undeniable beauty and a resilient soul that we could all relate to. She showed me we could all be beautiful in our own way even if it is gay or being diff erent. We found common ground in Selena.”
Marquez said Quintanilla resonates with Latinx artists in a special way. “She worked nonstop since she was a little girl. One of the only Latina legends we have to look up to. We lack representation in the media, and specifi cally with movies and roles performers get — it’s pretty dismal. We have to hold onto her as an example of a great artist, performer, singer, artist,” Marquez says.
Visual Artists & Painters
Daisy Carlene, known as @daisycarlene on social media platforms, is a Mexican-American painter with roots in Colima and Mazatlan, Mexico. Originally from the San Fernando Valley and now based in Los Angeles, her fi rst experience was like that of many Latinx young adults who weren’t old enough to embrace Selena in her lifetime. She experienced Selena through Jennifer Lopez’s portrayal in the 1997 fi lm “Selena.”
“Even though I didn’t get to physically experience her talents in person, through her music, work ethic, style and persona we can all feel that radiant energy,” Carlene says.
As a creative artist, Carlene was infl uenced by Selena’s craft. “Seeing her live performances on screen and how she designed her own outfi ts — I mean, the woman had style and at such a young age. So dope! Her charismatic personality and passion for music and fashion is defi nitely admirable.”
Vanessa Ayala, known as @artbyayala on social media platforms, is an artist and painter based in New York City with roots in Colombia, South America. Her work is largely inspired by Black and brown fi gures in her day to day life and in American and Latino pop culture. For her, Quintanilla was an inspiration not only as an artist and muse, but as an intimate representation of her own identity.
“I recently did my DNA test and discovered I am 80% Native American, so being an indigenous Latina I feel like I can identify with Selena in this way and I love to create art as an homage to her and celebrate her beauty,” Ayala says.
Considering representation in the media, Ayala said she resonated with her experience.
“As I got older I realized she is still one of the only celebrated Latinas with indigenous features. So many Latinas in the mainstream lean towards having a more Eurocentric appearance, such as lighter skin tone, light eyes, mainly dyed blonde or brownish hair. But Selena, being of Mexican heritage, clearly has a Native American beauty.”
Content Creators & Social Media
Mayam Victoria Lillard, known as @mayamvictoria on social media platforms, is an Afro-Latina creator of Ecuadoran descent who is one of the two voices of the podcast “Homegirls from the Valley.” A San Fernando Valley native, Lillard said Selena was an integral part of her upbringing that introduced her to the world of Spanish-language music.
Apart from being a bridge that allowed Lillard to embrace her roots, Selena also inspired her experience as a Latina artist.
“Her dedication to her craft and her tenacity to ‘make it’ in an industry that wasn’t as open to a Latinx woman artist is very inspiring to me,” Lillard says. “I also really identifi ed with her pride in being a fi rst-generation Mexican-American. Although I am Ecuadorian, the sentiment of being proud of where your family comes from and representing is something I hold close to my heart.” Similar to Ayala, Lillard said she knew Quintanilla represented a hustle and a group of underrepresented Latina women in a positive light. “As a Latina woman, she just showed all of us what you can be,” Lillard says. “Regardless of where you come from, where your family’s from, whether your Spanish or English is perfect, you can become who you want. It’s always inspiring to see that, but even more when that person looks like you. Representation matters and Selena did that.” ◆ ARTS
DIBIDI BOMBOMO BIDIBIDIBOM BOM BIDIBI BIDI BIDI BOM BOM “It’s such a tragically beautiful song and she sings it with so much emotion. It really brings me close to tears every time I listen to it. My mom and grandma always make me sing it around the house, too. I love it so much because although things didn’t work out for her and this guy, and clearly the man did her wrong, she’s still living her truth and not allowing the circumstances to make her jaded in love — which is so easy to do a er a breakup. She’s saying that yes, she maybe chose wrong and fell in love with the wrong person, but it was beautiful for what it
CLASSICS FROM THE ARTIST
