Selena Quintanilla Movie-Pérez, the star of Tejano music, has won hearts around the world. In 1997, a film about her life came out, called “Selena”. It was directed by Gregory Nava and starred Jennifer Lopez1. The movie made $35.7 million in the U.S. and was chosen for the National Film Registry in 20211.
Selena’s life was sadly cut short at 23 by Yolanda Saldívar, her fan club’s former president1. After her death, many unauthorized stories came out. Her dad, Abraham Quintanilla, made an official film to clear up false stories1. This film was made with a budget of $15 to $20 million and directed by Gregory Nava1.
Key Takeaways
- The 1997 film “Selena” is a biographical drama that tells the story of Tejano music star Selena Quintanilla-Pérez.
- The film, directed by Gregory Nava, stars Jennifer Lopez in her breakthrough role, earning a Best Actress nomination at the 55th Golden Globe Awards.
- Selena’s untimely death at the age of 23 prompted the Quintanilla family to work on an authorized biographical film to counter false rumors and misconceptions.
- The film was well-received, with praise for Jennifer Lopez’s performance and the portrayal of Selena’s life and legacy.
- The film has since been selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry and re-released in select cinemas to mark its 25th anniversary.
The Quintanilla Family’s Musical Journey
The story of Selena starts with the Quintanilla family’s musical journey. In 1961, Abraham Quintanilla Jr. and his band “The Dinos” got rejected after an audition in Texas2. They then played at a Mexican-American nightclub, but things got out of hand when they didn’t play the music the crowd wanted2.
Abraham Quintanilla’s Early Struggles
Years later, Abraham married Marcella Samora and had three kids: Abraham III, Suzette, and Selena. He saw Selena’s amazing singing talent and formed “Selena y Los Dinos” with her, A.B., and Suzette. They moved to Corpus Christi, Texas, and started touring to support the family2.
Forming the Band Selena y Los Dinos
Creating “Selena y Los Dinos” was a big step for the Quintanilla family. With Selena’s powerful voice and the family’s support, the band started to make a name for themselves. This led to Selena becoming a tejano music star and a Chicana icon2.
The Quintanilla family’s hard work and early challenges helped set the stage for Selena’s huge impact. She changed the tejano music scene and paved the way for more Latino representation in film and media2.
Selena’s Rise to Stardom
Selena Quintanilla’s journey to fame is a tale of hard work, talent, and chasing dreams. In 1989, José Behar and EMI Latin signed her as a solo artist3. That year, she released her debut album, followed by “Ven Conmigo” in 1990. This album was the first Tejano record to go gold4.
Breakthrough with Solo Albums
Her 1992 album “Amor Prohibitor” made waves with hits like “Como La Flor” and “La Carcacha”3. In 1993, she made history by winning a Grammy for Best Mexican American Album for “Live!”3 She kept touring and releasing hits, including “Amor Prohibido” in 1994 and “Dreaming of You” in 1995. This album was the first Spanish-language album to top the Billboard 200 chart3.
Becoming a Tejano Music Sensation
Selena quickly became a star in Tejano music with her unique sound and performances3. The 1997 biopic “Selena” told her story, from her early life to her fame and challenges3. Jennifer Lopez played Selena, making her story touch people from all walks of life3.