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Selena Quintanilla Facts

Selena Quintanilla Facts
Selena Quintanilla-Perez was an American singer, actress, and model that became one of the most famous Mexican-American celebrities of the 1990s, and was later murdered by the president of her fan club. She was born April 16th, 1971, in Lake Jackson, Texas, to Marcella Ofelia Quintanilla and Abraham Quintanilla, Jr. She was raised as a Jehovah's Witness and would often perform in her father's restaurant. Later her family moved to Corpus Christi, Texas and Selena's family formed a band called Selena y Los Dinos. Her popularity soon grew and she left school in grade 8 to pursue music with her father's help. In 1990 her album Ven Conmigo went gold and was the first Tejano record to do so.
Interesting Selena Quintanilla Facts:
Selena was very popular with the Hispanic community in the southern U.S.
Her father was a musician and was supportive of her career. Selena's brother Abraham was the bass player and her sister Suzette played the drums.
Selena won Performer of the Year and Best Female Vocalist of the Year in 1987 at the Tejano Music Awards.
Selena's first record sold more than half a million copies.
In 1994 Selena won a Grammy for best Mexican-American album for 'Live'.
Selena has often been credited with making the Tejano style of music popular on a global level.
Jennifer Lopez, Kat DeLuna, and Beck G all have said that they were very influenced by Selena.
In Corpus Christi, Texas, there is a museum in Selena's honor. 500 Faberge eggs that she owned are on display as well as many of her achievements and clothing.
Jennifer Lopez played Selena in the 1997 movie made about her. They screen tested over 22,000 actresses for the role before deciding on Jennifer Lopez.
Selena had to learn Spanish-language songs because her first language was English.
Selena enjoyed making her own clothing and was interested in becoming a fashion designer.
Selena signed with Coca Cola to do English and Spanish advertisements throughout the United States.
Selena eloped in 1992 because she was fearful her father would not approve of the marriage.
Selena married her band's lead guitarist, Chris Perez. They were still married when she was murdered.
Selena was murdered by her former employee and fan club founder Yolanda Saldivar. Saldivar was accused of stealing money from Selena and when confronted she shot Selena in the back.
There were more than 100,000 mourners at Selena's funeral.
Selena Day is April, 16th. George Bush was governor when she was killed and he chose that day because it was Selena's birthday.
Selena was shot and killed on March 31st, 1995, in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Selena's album Dreaming of You was her first English album. It was released after she died and it became a hugely successful album.
Selena's murder had an impact on the public in much the same way the deaths of John F. Kennedy and John Lennon's murders did.
Yolanda Saldivar was convicted of first-degree murder and was given a life sentence. She is eligible for parole in 2025.


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