Anything for Selenas

I’ve always heard the name Selena since I was little, but I wasn’t able to put a face to the name until I was about 7 years old. I remember it watching it for the first time clear as day… I remember my aunt renting the Selena movie from the video place down the street from her house. We all sat in the living room and watched it together. It was the first movie that ever made me cry even though I knew how it would end.

Twenty years later, having watched that movie thousands of times, being able to recite every line, every lyric, and mimic almost every facial expressions of the actors.. Selena is and will always be an iconic role model in my life. When I heard she would be given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, I thought two things. One, ‘About damn time!’ and, ‘I have to be there!’

On November 4th, 2017 Selena was given her star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame in front of Capital Records. My friends and I made the drive up to Hollywood to witness it ourselves. We headed out with our Selena t shirts on, they had curls and red lipstick, it was sure to be an exciting event.

When we arrived we searched for parking and noticed that the street was already packed with so many people. The event hadn’t begun yet, but I felt that we were late. I knew we weren’t going to be able to see much ourselves, but thank goodness they had a screen up for all to see.

There is always talk about representation now these days more than I can ever remember. From movies having all female leads, to having so much more diversity in our TV shows and newest favorite movies. Selena is one of the representations for many Mexican American girls, and I’m not saying she only represents them; for she represents anyone who is from a small town with huge dreams. She inspired many, and till this day continues to do so.

Within the crowd there was so much diversity showing love to Selena, all brought together in hopes that she was watching proudly from above admiring the huge impact she’s made in this world. As I’ve said before, music is universal and that night was more proof that the statement is true.

There were so many little girls dressed in the many iconic outfits that Selena wore; from the purple concert dress, her Grammy look, and adults with her well known black bedazzled hat, red lipstick & bustiers. It was really awesome to see how much of an impact she’s continued to make on generations to come even though sadly she is no longer with us.

She was always a star in my eyes and gave me hope as a child. She allowed me to see that anything is possible, I was never as motivated to become someone as I was after listening to her music or watching her movie. It brought a tear to my eyes, as I’m sure it did for many others that night that even though she is no longer with us, she still inspires us to chase after our dreams.

Selena’s family and band were in attendance for the ceremony and it tugged at all of our heartstrings to see everyone together again. Only Suzette spoke which surprised me as I thought her brother would’ve spoken as well.

Her sister Suzette talked about the Selena movie that is still played on TV today, and I must admit that whenever I do catch it on TV I watch it till it ends. Tears in my eyes every single time because the outcome never changes.. I’m sure I’m not the only one whose mind races of all the different things I know she would’ve accomplished if she was still with us today. How I’ll only be able to imagine because nobody will ever truly know.

Chris Perez was in attendance as well, and one could tell that it was a bittersweet day for him. He took pictures with Selena’s star and gave it a kiss before walking back to his seat.

It was a bittersweet day for all the fans of Selena. Wishing she was still here with us to witness all the ways the world still loves her, all the things we do to keep her memory alive. If I ever have children they’ll know of Selena, my neices and nephews are learning of her, and the best thing we can continue to do is love, honor, and keep her memory alive.

You can check out all the footage I was able to get from the event below.