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Selena Quintanilla, widely recognized simply as Selena, was a beloved singer and songwriter. Often hailed as the “Queen of Tejano music,” Selena was not only a trailblazer in the Latin music industry but also an enduring icon who continues to inspire generations.
Even today, after almost three decades since her death, there’s plenty of curiosity surrounding Selena’s life, music, and identity — including her ethnicity. As a legendary artist who dabbled in various cultural sounds, there’s often a hint of ambiguity concerning her heritage. So, let’s clear up the details and dive into what we know about this vibrant entertainer.
Selena: The Queen of Tejano
Born on April 16, 1971, in Lake Jackson, Texas, Selena came from a family with deep roots in Mexico. She was born to Abraham Quintanilla Jr. and Marcella Quintanilla. Abraham, Selena’s father, was a musician who gave up his own musical ambitions to support his family.
It wasn’t long before Selena started singing along with his guitar playing, showcasing a natural talent from an early age. By the time she was 12, Selena had already released her first LP record with her band, Selena y Los Dinos (“Selena and The Boys”).
Over the course of her career, Selena released five full-length albums, with Selena Live! earning her a Grammy Award. She also broke numerous records and gained international recognition as one of the most acclaimed artists with a major crossover appeal.
Tragically, just two weeks before her 24th birthday, Selena was murdered. In her honor, then-Governor George W. Bush declared April 16 “Selena Day” in Texas. Her highly anticipated crossover album, Dreaming of You, was released posthumously on July 18, 1995, although it remained unfinished at the time of her death. Two years later, in 1997, Warner Bros. released a biopic about her life, starring Jennifer Lopez, further cementing Selena’s legacy as an enduring icon.
What was Selena’s ethnicity?
Selena Quintanilla was proudly Mexican-American. Her father, Abraham Quintanilla Jr., had Mexican heritage, and her mother, Marcella Quintanilla, was also of Mexican descent, although her maternal lineage includes Cherokee ancestry. Therefore, Selena was a Mexican-American, with part Cherokee Native-American roots.
Her identity as a Mexican-American played a significant role in her music and her connection with fans. Although Spanish wasn’t her first language (she initially spoke English), she embraced her heritage and learned Spanish to better connect with her audience, which undeniably helped shape her career. Selena popularized Tejano music, a unique fusion of Mexican sounds and American influences, and brought it to the mainstream. By doing so, she made Tejano music a household genre for fans far beyond Texas and Mexico. Her music was a blend of cumbia, mariachi, and pop– all of which spoke to her dual identity. Songs like “Como la Flor” and “Amor Prohibido” became international hits, and her charismatic performances always celebrated her Latin roots. Selena was a master of blending the old with the new, honoring tradition while pushing boundaries.
Her influence can still be felt today in how she paved the way for future Latinx artists to break into mainstream music. In essence, Selena Quintanilla’s ability to bring people together, regardless of background, is what truly defined her. She embraced her heritage, broke cultural barriers, and continues to inspire new generations through her timeless music and unforgettable legacy.