And when enough was enough, she didn’t hesitate to walk away from what she didn’t deserve (“Sí Una Vez”). Selena was one to brazenly fall at the heels of love even if it hurt (“Tu Solo Tu”). Throughout her six-studio albums discography, you’d find a champion for love. Girls knee-high can be heard singing along, even reciting Selena’s giggles and adlibs from songs such as “Techno Cumbia” and “Tu Solo Tu.” Parents tell their kids, both girls and boys, about Selena’s legacy as they take a step from one of Selena’s popular outfits to another all while her discography plays from the sound system. The egg collection stands in a tiered glass display case just outside the office of Selena’s sister’s Suzette, who handles Q-Productions’ licensing.Īmongst those who visit the museum, the majority are Latino families spanning several generations. One open room holds all of the singer’s plaques, awards, most memorable outfits - like the glistening dark magenta one-piece she wore at her last show ever, at the Houston’s Astrodome - as well as her collection of glass eggs. The studio has several pockets (recording and post-production studios, offices, performance stage), secret hallways that lead to one another, and a Selena museum at the center. Less than three miles away from Hi-Ho Restaurant is Q-Productions, Inc., an entertainment company Quintanilla founded in 2003. “One thing my dad said is that he never wanted her to be forgotten,” Suzette says of her father. Twenty-years after her passing, he still protects his daughter he’s committed to having Selena be remembered in a light he believes is truest to her spirit. Quintanilla’s grasp on Selena’s legacy only tightens with each conversation about her. Everywhere he turns, someone wants (one more) piece of Selena, almost as if she was his key to the city. And most of those exchanges were in regards to Selena. But it didn’t take me long to figure out why.Įvery 10-15 minutes, a restaurant customer coming or going would walk over and gently tap Quintanilla on the shoulder, whether to simply say hello, remind him of an event they’d love his support or assistance on, whisper a favor or just reminisce. He is a reserved man, and I found him a bit defensive. I wondered, before meeting Quintanilla, whether he was the authoritarian figure we saw portrayed in the 1997 Gregory Nava-directed film titled after her late daughter. Selena had style that was admired to the point of imitation, songs that you could find yourself in, and a spirit that when heard about makes you wish you’d experience at least one minute with her.Ī photo posted by Erika Ramirez on at 10:36am PDT It’s these many facets that captivate fans worldwide to this day. In Corpus, you see and hear of the many sides of Selena, from the demure to the rebellious to the coquettish. On the back, there’s a tracing of her figure she’s donning a leather jacket and long messy tresses drawn in motion. Abraham Quintanilla on March 12 we’re greeted by waitresses - majority Mexican-American, inviting and warm - wearing T-shirts with Selena’s name printed in the front. 1 on the Top Latin Albums chart, with her crossover album, Dreaming Of You, staying at No. 1s on the Hot Latin Songs, with “Tu Solo Tu” holding the top slot for 10 consecutive weeks. The sixth studio album was released posthumously on July 18, 1995, and ultimately became her first No. Selena passed before finishing her crossover album, Dreaming of You. Saldívar was sentenced to life in prison with possibility of parole in 30 years (2025). She ran to escape Saldívar, collapsing in the motel lobby after loss of blood. An argument broke out, and Saldívar shot Selena, severing an artery. The duo returned to the Days Inn motel where Saldívar was staying at.
SELENA SINGER TRIAL
The doctors suggested for Saldívar to visit a hospital in San Antonio since the alleged rape occurred in another jurisdiction, according to trial testimonies. Selena took her to the Doctors Regional Hospital, after Saldívar claimed she was raped in Mexico. Earlier in the month, Saldívar was accused of embezzling money from Selena’s fan club and fashion boutiques. Selena had met with Saldívar earlier that morning to discuss business matters, according to reports. “I heard him say, ‘She’s not back yet?'” Garcia recalls. Estella Garcia, a waitress and co-manager at the Tex-Mex restaurant, says Quintanilla received a call at the restaurant that alerted him that Selena had yet to return from a meeting with Saldívar. The morning Selena was shot and killed by Yolanda Saldívar, her father was having breakfast at Hi-Ho.