Selena Quintanilla, dubbed the Queen of Tejano Music, reshaped American music and inspired millions during her short life.
As a Mexican-American star, she uniquely blended two worlds, bringing Tejano music to mainstream audiences.
Beyond her musical talent, Selena was a designer, breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated music genre.
Her sudden death led to heightened fan dedication, ensuring her legacy would endure.
Born on April 16, 1971, in Texas, Selena’s extraordinary singing talent was evident early. Managed by her father, she performed with her family band, Selena y Los Dinos.
Despite her primarily English background, she mastered singing in Spanish. Her music career skyrocketed with numerous successful albums and awards.
Furthermore, Selena was known for her fashion, launching her own clothing line and boutiques.
Her life was tragically ended at 23 by the president of her fan club. Posthumously, her English album, “Dreaming of You,” achieved unprecedented success.
Her impact remains substantial, with biographical films, series and accolades celebrating her enduring influence.
I have listed below some of the top quotes by Selene Quintanilla.
Best Selena Quintanilla Quotes
Anybody can be a role model. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
People are put into your life for seasons, for different reasons, and to teach you lessons. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
The family that plays together stays together. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
We wanna play stuff that’s cool. Stuff that’s happening. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
All I need to do is try and do the best that I can do. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
The kind of music like Salsa & Merengue. It has a lot of rhythm to it. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
I’m spoiled in the sense that now I get what I want but it’s because I work for it. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
We never never thought we’d get this far, but we’re here. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
The reason I’m really appreciative of everything that’s going on around me is because of the fact that I never expected it, and I want to keep that attitude. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
Music is not a very stable business. You know it comes and it goes, and so does money. But your education stays with you for the rest of your life. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
When a child does bad things, the parents are always going to love their child even if they do something bad. They are always going to love them. It’s like that love you have within a family. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
Since I was small, when I was in school, I was a business girl. I would buy things to sell, gums for three cents, things like that. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
The life of an artist is not all glamorous. It’s a lot of work. A lot of people think that it’s very easy. They think you always stay in good hotels, you buy good things, but it is not like that. You have to work very hard like everybody. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
I’m always planning for my future. The public can support an artist or let them fall. Aside from music, I love designing. I have to put money in something I like. That is why I have been thinking of the boutiques. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
Top Selena Quintanilla Quotes
All this is a dream to me. Everything, the applause, the fans asking for autographs, the trips, all that is a dream. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
I eat anything, and I’m not preoccupied with my figure. The most important is that the people accept me for my music, not for physical appearances. – Selena Quintanilla
Tejano music was hard for us because I was a girl. My dad had a lot of problems while trying to set up shows for us or presentations because there are a lot of men who don’t think that women can get the attention of the public. But . . . wrong! ~ Selena Quintanilla.
I can’t dwell on the negatives. I think positively. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
When they first told us that we were nominated, we all freaked out. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
It is difficult to believe that a loved one can mistreat you, but it is possible that you may be victim of family violence. If you are being hit, scared, or abused, you’re not alone. Family violence concerns us all. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
I didn’t have the opportunity to learn Spanish when I was a girl, but it’s never too late to get in touch with your roots. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
I also don’t like lies. I’m very honest. I’m always going to tell the truth. I don’t lie. I treat my friends the way I want to be treated. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
They buy the records, they buy everything. And you have to be grateful to the public in that way to give autographs if they want an autograph, you give them an autograph! It’s not going to take very much of your time, I do it! ~ Selena Quintanilla.
I don’t feel pressure because I’m not trying to portray something that I’m not. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
I’m very real, very sincere, and honest, and that’s how I’ll always be. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
I want to be remembered not only as an entertainer but as a person who cared a lot and I gave the best that I could and I tried to be the best role model that I possibly could. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
I give thanks to God for having in Chris [her husband] a companion, a true friend, and a good heart. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
Famous Selena Quintanilla Quotes
You have to take what you can get when you’re getting started. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
With a positive attitude, you can be anything you want to be. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
It’s really cool to kind of have people come to me and get excited, you know, I don’t see myself that way. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
I think love is blind. You don’t see it, you don’t hear what people are saying, or what you’re saying. You don’t see what you’re doing. All you see is the person in front of you. That’s it. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
Always believe that the impossible is always possible. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
When you’re young and you have the timing and you can memorize a melody then you know there’s a little bit of talent. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
What’s cool about our family is that we don’t hold grudges and I think that’s sort of been the key to the success. Ya know we have our disagreements but whether we’re right or wrong we’ll just go and apologize. That’s just the way we are. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
I feel very proud to be Mexican. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
We got laughed at. My father was told that we would never make it. It’s gradual, a growing process. It’s not like it came overnight. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
I’m very proud of my roots and ever since I was little we played English music and country music aside from Tejano. It was something very natural for us. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
I bet they’re gonna wonder how I learned English so fast. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
You shouldn’t care for somebody just because of the materialistic things that they have, and I’m a firm believer in that. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
Popular Selena Quintanilla Quotes
I have nothing bad to say about my job. I love the public, I love to talk, get to know people, everything. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
We went through a hard time, and we had to turn to music as a means to putting food on the table. And we’ve been doing it ever since. No regrets either. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
Ever since I was a little girl, I’d dreamed of having a big, wonderful wedding, with a long white gown and a bouquet of flowers. But my love for Chris was so strong. I couldn’t wait any longer for us to be husband and wife. I couldn’t even wear my nicest dress because that would have made my father suspicious. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
I may not be street-wise and all that, but at least I’m not that dumb! ~ Selena Quintanilla.
Be strong minded, and always believe that the impossible is possible. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
We were friends. I never thought I’d wanna marry a musician. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
Iconic Selena Quintanilla Quotes
One thing is that if I ever have children later on, for sure I want my children to know Spanish. It only makes you a better person or even a smarter person to know two languages. If that barrier is not there you can cross both lines, talk to English [speaking] and Spanish [speaking] people, and it gets you a lot farther in business and personal communication. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
Chris, for the first time in my life I feel like I’m free. Like I can fly if I wanted to. Like I am flying. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
If you have the same love, the same interests, and the same respect for each other, things work out great. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
I think I’m a very kindhearted person, I don’t like to hurt people’s feelings. If I do, it’s not intentionally and I feel a lot of people nowadays have lost that. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
You get a lot farther in life without drugs. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
I lost a lot out of my teenage hood but I gained a lot too. I can’t really say that I lost because I got ahead of everyone as far as career and being more mature about business, even though I didn’t know what the heck was going on. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
Be at your best at all times. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
What I don’t like are arrogant people. We’re all equal. I don’t like it when a person assumes to be better. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
I admire Gloria Estefan because she opened the doors for latinos, completely. Not just for the female artists, but for the males as well. It’s the reason Jon Secada is having so much success. Before Gloria it was very difficult for Hispanics to enter the English market. She is an internationally known artist. I admire her very much. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
Ultimate Selena Quintanilla Quotes
I don’t care what you say. It doesn’t matter. I love him and he loves me too.. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
Anywhere in the world you go, you find racism, discrimination. Not just in the United States, or in Texas. It’s very sad for me, but that’s the way it is. I can’t change the world by myself. I, being Hispanic, have also faced discrimination. But … the world keeps turning. Life is full of surprises. That’s all I will say. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
You wish for things to happen when you’re not doing as well and when it comes around, it’s like you wanna slow down. But you have to stop and think about where you came from, you appreciate it even more. It’s better to be working than not working at all. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
A lot of people may think it’s difficult to work with family, it’s not. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
Well, when I am singing I am a completely different person. I could be very free, depending on the situation I could do what I want. I could have to deliver, as with many songs, a lot of emotion if a song is very sad as with a very happy and excited song. It depends, it depends. Compared to when I am in my, I am normal, like whomever, of the public. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
When you get hard work, you get success, and we put a lot of years into it. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
If you have a dream, don’t let anybody take it away. ~ Selena Quintanilla.
So these were the 60 top Selena Quintanilla quotes on dreaming big, family, life and love.
If you like these quotes and sayings, then you can also read my other posts on Chief Keef quotes and Luke Combs quotes.
Short Biography of Selena Quintanilla
Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, famously known as Selena, was a trailblazing American singer hailed as the “Queen of Tejano Music.”
Her impact on music and fashion made her a celebrated figure in Mexican-American culture.
Starting in music with her family’s band, Selena faced early resistance in the male-dominated Tejano genre but quickly rose to fame, winning numerous awards and achieving commercial success with albums like “Entre a Mi Mundo.”
| Full Name | Selena Quintanilla Pérez |
| Born | 16 April 1971, Lake Jackson, Texas, United States |
| Died | 31 March 1995 (age 23 years), CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi – Memorial, Corpus Christi, Texas, United States |
| Burial Place | Seaside Memorial Park, Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S. |
| Monuments | Mirador de la Flor |
| Spouse | Chris Pérez (m. 1992–1995) |
| Parents | Abraham Quintanilla, Marcella Ofelia Quintanilla |
| Siblings | A.B. Quintanilla III, Suzette Quintanilla |
| Alma Mater | Pacific Western University (BBA) |
| Occupations | Singer, Fashion Designer |
| Genres | Tejano, Tex-Mex cumbia, Latin pop |
| Years Active | 1981–1995 |
| Labels | Q-Productions, Capitol Latin, EMI, Universal Music Latin, SBK Records |
| Formerly Of | Selena y Los Dinos |
| Website | q-productions.com |
Her life was tragically cut short in 1995 when she was murdered by Yolanda Saldívar.
Selena’s legacy lives on, with posthumous releases topping charts and her story inspiring films and a Netflix series, solidifying her status as a beloved icon in Latin music.
Quick Facts about Selena Quintanilla
- Selena, known as the “Queen of Tejano Music,” was an influential American singer and fashion icon.
- Born on April 16, 1971, in Lake Jackson, Texas, Selena was a vibrant presence on stage.
- She started singing at age 9 with her family band, Selena y Los Dinos.
- Her full name was Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, reflecting her Mexican-American heritage.
- Selena’s father, Abraham Quintanilla Jr., managed her career and guided her to stardom.
- Her music, a blend of cumbia, mariachi, and pop, broke language barriers in the 1980s and 1990s.
- The 1989 album “Selena” marked her emergence in the Latin music scene.
- “Entre a Mi Mundo,” released in 1992, included the hit “Como La Flor.”
- In 1994, Selena won a Grammy, becoming the first female Tejano artist to do so.
- Known for her iconic style, Selena popularized bustiers and high-waisted pants.
- She owned a boutique, “Selena Etc.,” showcasing her designs.
- “Dreaming of You” (1995) was her successful crossover album, hitting number one on the Billboard 200.
- Selena’s life tragically ended on March 31, 1995, when she was murdered at 23.
- Her death spotlighted the need for better celebrity protection measures.
- The 1997 film “Selena,” with Jennifer Lopez, highlighted her life and legacy.
- The Selena Museum in Corpus Christi, Texas, displays her memorabilia.
- Selena inspired Latinx artists like Jennifer Lopez and Demi Lovato.
- Classics like “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom” continue to resonate with fans.
- Her posthumous album’s first-day sales surpassed 175,000 copies.
- The Selena Foundation, established in 1995, supports education and the arts.
- In 2017, Selena posthumously received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
- A MAC Cosmetics collection inspired by Selena sold out quickly.
- Selena was a dedicated philanthropist, supporting children’s education.
- Fluent in Spanish, she deeply connected with her Latinx fans.
- Selena and her guitarist, Chris Perez, married in 1992.
- Her iconic purple jumpsuit sold for $26,000 in 2017.
- Selena’s music videos showcased her dynamic performances.
- “Amor Prohibido” (1994) delved into themes of love and societal expectations.
- Selena performed memorably at the Houston Astrodome, drawing over 66,000 fans.
- The “Fiesta de la Flor” festival celebrates her life and cultural impact in Corpus Christi.
Top Questions about Selena Quintanilla
A: Selena Quintanilla is famously known as the “Queen of Tejano Music,” recognized for her influential blend of Tejano and pop music in the 1990s, making her one of the most celebrated Latin artists.
A: Selena Quintanilla tragically lost her life on March 31, 1995, when she was shot at a Days Inn in Corpus Christi, Texas. Despite efforts to save her, she passed away from hypovolemic shock at the age of 23.
A: Selena dramatically impacted the music industry by paving the way for Latina artists, breaking cultural barriers, and fostering the global acceptance and popularity of Latin music.
A: Selena was just 23 years old when her life was cut short, leaving behind a legacy as a pioneering Latina crossover star.
A: Throughout her career, Selena was honored with numerous accolades, including a Grammy for Best Mexican-American Album, multiple Tejano Music Awards, and various Billboard Latin Music Awards.
A: Selena Quintanilla is laid to rest at Seaside Memorial Park in Corpus Christi, Texas.
A: Selena’s legacy transcends her music; she is celebrated for her resilience, passion, and representation of Latino culture, serving as a symbol of hope and cultural pride.
A: Selena’s final recording was “Puede Ser,” released posthumously in 2004, a duet reflecting her ongoing influence in music.
A: Selena’s memory is honored through continuous fan celebrations, her enduring music, and the lasting admiration from her global fan base, keeping her spirit alive.
A: Selena is seen as a pivotal figure for her connection to her Mexican heritage while embracing her American upbringing, symbolizing the blend of cultures within the Latino community.
A: Selena was 18 and Chris Perez was 20 when they first met in 1990, with their relationship blossoming into a significant aspect of Selena’s life story.
