There’s no way I can go without mentioning the 20th Year Film Anniversary of ‘SELENA’. On this day March 21, 1997 just two years after Selena Quintanilla’s life was cut short at the age of 23 by her Fan Club President Yolanda Saldivar; her epic biopic was released starring Jennifer Lopez as Selena. Written and directed by Gregory Nava, 'SELENA' has become a staple in Mexican-American culture.
I’ll never forget the feeling after I found out Selena was killed, it was like someone punched me in my stomach and knocked all the wind out of my lungs. I couldn’t understand why someone who was suppose to be her friend, could have done that to her but I did know that she was gone and it literally shattered my heart.
I loved watching her on interviews with Cristina Saralegui, her smile penetrated through the screen and it never failed to make me smile. Some of my favorite moments were seeing her dance to Bidi Bidi Bom Bom, or teaching me how to do the washing machine and even get down to some cumbias in her music videos. I spent countless hours trying to lock in and embody everything she was, from dancing to walking around blasting singing along to her beautiful vocals to the tune of some of my favorite of her rancheras on my walkman.
She made me feel like I wasn’t alone. Up until the rise of her fame I didn’t have a artist that I could really connect with or look up to, they weren’t like me. But Selena knew what it was like to be Mexican and also be American. It was a beautiful thing, I felt represented and proud. I always had a dream to meet and get to see Selena perform live one day, to this very day I wish that could’ve came true. Unfortunately and fortunately, watching Jennifer Lopez starring as Selena was as close as I was ever going to get. Ironically enough since then, I love JLO for similar reasons and because she did a phenomenal job as Selena and open up the gates for Latinas in Hollywood. Hate is a strong word but I can truly say I’ll always HATE Yolanda Saldivar. To celebrate her biopic here are a few of my favorite clips from 'SELENA' and some extras. Enjoy and don't forget, anything For Salinas!