November 3rd, 2017 will go down in history for being the day that Tejano music Queen, Selena Quintanilla, was posthumously awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. An estimated 4,500 fans dressed in their best Selena-inspired outfits attended the public ceremony in Los Angeles.
The large crowd gathered around to witness the installation of the star in a ceremony that was also attended by the late Tejano singer’s close family. Former husband, Chris Perez, was in attendance, along with Texas native actress, Eva Longoria, the mayor of Los Angeles, Eric Garcetti, and filmmaker, Gregory Nava, who directed the acclaimed 1997 film ‘Selena’ based on the singer’s life.
It's official. #Selena is now part of the Hollywood Walk Of Fame as fans shout "anything for Selenas" pic.twitter.com/e8y1zUysBQ
— Brian De Los Santos (@bdelossantos1) November 4, 2017
Selena Quintanilla, who was born in Texas in 1971 and passed away in 1995 at age 23 after being shot by business colleague Yolanda Saldivar, has become the 2,622nd star on the world-famous Hollywood Walk of Fame. Known simply as Selena, the singer-songwriter broke barriers for women in Latin music with her debut self-titled album back in 1989.
It was a very difficult time to be a Latino artist, but her huge success paved the way for a whole new generation of contemporary Latino artists that would enjoy mainstream popularity within the American audience.
Eva Longoria escorts #Selena's family out of Capitol Records and onto the Walk Of Fame area. pic.twitter.com/i3XyqhZcxz
— Brian De Los Santos (@bdelossantos1) November 4, 2017
Her music and her whole image are still very much in fashion today. As of 2015, Selena had sold more than 65 million records worldwide, making her the best-selling artist in Latin music history.
According to reports by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, the crowd that gathered for Selena’s star unveiling was the largest-ever for a Walk of Fame ceremony.
https://twitter.com/KarenCivil/status/926850219907489792
“This is history in the making,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti in perfect Spanish. “Selena was an angel, and we thank the family for all they gave and have given this country, and it’s a message we need now more than ever. Because we aren’t strangers to this land, this is our home.”
Selena Quintanilla gets a star on the walk of fame. Far as I'm concerned, this is a national holiday. pic.twitter.com/r7VIdSVse2
— Cleopatra Jones Jr. (@theKelizabeth82) November 3, 2017
“Selena’s voice was a key that unlocked the hearts and minds of millions,” said the “Desperate Housewives” actress Eva Longoria while being up on the podium. “She was a small town girl with a big heart and a smile that radiated and captivated people everywhere. That small town was my hometown of Corpus Christi, Texas. And she was the face I finally saw that looked like mine.”
We’ve been dreaming of this day for a while. The one and only Reina de la música Tex-Mex, Selena, has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame! pic.twitter.com/cq6UouOVeZ
— Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) November 4, 2017
At the end of the ceremony, Selena’s family stood together while posing for photographers. Chris Perez, who was married to Selena and played guitar in her band, laid a bouquet of white roses down on his late wife’s Walk of Fame star.
Chris Perez, Selena's husband, places flowers on her star at the Hollywood Walk of Fame. 🌹 pic.twitter.com/dzyKaeD9MR
— Gabe Ortíz (@TUSK81) November 4, 2017
Article inspired by NY Daily News // Thousands of fans attend Selena Quintanilla’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony