About Me
By the age of 23, Selena Quintanilla Perez had seen almost all of her dreams come true.
She and her family had risen together to a level of success they had hardly imagined, and their upward climb showed no signs of stopping. Starting as a scrappy band that made up in determination what they lacked in experience, they had conquered their regional music scene and had been embraced by tens of thousands of fans. Selena, with her blend of natural talent, boundless energy and magnetic charm, was poised to become popular music's next big superstar. She and her family had realized the American Dream.But, just when Selena was about to become a crossover sensation, her ascent was cut short as she lost her life at the hands of a friend she thought loyal.
At only 23, Selena had released two gold albums and one platinum, and she was recording the project that promised to launch her into the realm of true superstar success. Working with some of popular music's foremost talents, Selena seemed destined to win millions of more fans with a breakthrough, crossover album, "Dreaming of You."And indeed she would, as fans new and old made enormous hits of "I Could Fall in Love" and "Dreaming of You," tender, mid-tempo ballads featuring Selena's unmistakable, sensitive voice soaring sweetly. But these smashes would be among the last recordings Selena would ever make. Selena had risen from the suburbs of South Texas to become the brightest star ever to emerge from the regional music scene known as "Tejano" that integrates the traditions of polka, rock, R&B, pop and traditional Latin influences.She had transcended that genre and become one of the biggest Latina music stars in the world, charting hit after hit and supported by thousands of fans who would turn out to see her dazzling live performances. She had won a Grammy Award, the music industry's highest honor, and had placed five albums on the Billboard charts at one time. She had fallen in love and married.
She had reached success surrounded and supported by her family, who accompanied her on stage and on the road. She had launched a successful clothing line and string of boutiques. Her confident, exuberant and sensuous style was imitated by swarms of fans who sang her lyrics word-for-word and mirrored her dance moves wherever she went. For countless young dreamers, Selena was an inspirational symbol of pride and accomplishment.But, on the brink of true superstardom, her rocketing ascent was cut short by a tragedy no one could have foreseen.
Dramatic, musical, inspirational and even comedic, "Selena" follows the rise of a true-life hero whose following has continued to grow even since her death. Charting the extraordinary rise of Selena and the entire Quintanilla family as they came to live the American Dream, the film stars JENNIFER LOPEZ ("Anaconda," "Jack," "My Family/Mi Familia," Oliver Stone's upcoming "U-Turn") as Selena. Starring as the younger version of the charismatic singer is newcomer BECKY LEE MEZA, a 10-year-old Texas native chosen from thousands of hopefuls who auditioned for the chance to portray their inspirational heroine.Academy Award-nominee EDWARD JAMES OLMOS ("Stand and Deliver," "American Me," "My Family/Mi Familia") stars as Selena's father,Abraham Quintanilla, Jr., a dreamer who nurtures his family's ambitions against enormous odds. JON SEDA ("Dear God," "Sunchaser") stars as Chris Perez, a rebellious guitarist who joins the family's band and is captivated by Selena, eventually becoming her husband. CONSTANCE MARIE ("My Family/Mi Familia") plays the family's devoted mother, Marcela. JACOB VARGAS ("My Family/Mi Familia") appears as Selena's brother, Abie, and her sister, Suzette, is portrayed by JACKIE GUERRA.Directed and written by GREGORY NAVA ("My Family/Mi Familia"), this celebration of Selena is produced by MOCTESUMA ESPARZA and ROBERT KATZ ("Gettysburg," "Lorca") under their Esparza/Katz production banner. Selena's father, ABRAHAM QUINTANILLA, JR., is the executive producer.
