If you’re reading this and you’re visiting my online space right now, no this is not a Selena fan page.
I heard people talk about her or mention her name not quite knowing myself who she was. I knew details of her story but never took the time to learn about it.
Until a couple months ago, a friend mentioned the Selena biopic and recommended I watch it, following our conversation about the FAILURE that was the Aaliyah biopic. I kept it in my mind but never had the time or opportunity to do so. Until this weekend.
Obviously, I knew the movie was just intended to be a representation of her life and not a complete mirror image of it. But I was so amazed at her image and was in awe of even the tiniest minuscule of talent that Jennifer Lopez even imitated in Selena’s portrayal. I was enjoying the movie, forgetting that both Selena’s life and her dream were cut so short, until the end reminded me. And honestly, I felt it. As though I was there when it happened.
She was 23 when it happened. 23. Same age I am now.
Now of course I didn’t know her personally. But when I was doing my research, the little girl inside me identified with her. And I know I’m not a Mexican American, but her beauty, talent and personality really touched me; I know that if I had been fully aware of her growing up, she would have been the type of woman that I aspired to be like. 100%.
The grown up me today feels this way regardless.
She had a smile that could light up an entire room. And a personality so warm and bright. I’ve watched YouTube video interviews she did, performances and just looked at photographs of her (obsession alert!) my heart breaks that she wasn’t able to completely fulfil her dream or reach the amount of recognition that I feel she definitely would have received, had she have been able to progress in her career and her life. (She was recording the English speaking language album for goodness’ sake).
She looked as though she would have brightened up the day of anyone who ever had the pleasure of knowing her And don’t get me started on the quality of her voice. As a Beyoncé stan, even I would say Bey could never (Sorry BeyHive!)
Her style was amazing. Iconic and subtly sexy without being vulgar. She had some LOOKS. I could see her having a make-up line also.
And so that is why I have decided to flood my Tumblr page with images, GIFs and videos of her. In the hopes that someone may stumble across it this week, and learn about her short but lasting impact. She deserves that.
My thoughts and prayers remain with her, her husband Chris and her ever-so-talented family.
April 16th 1971 - March 31st 1995
