Renowned Mexican-American Tejano sensation Selena Quintanilla passed away at the young age of 23 in a tragic incident when she was shot by Yolanda Saldívar, the president of her fan club, during a dispute.
During the recent Billboard Latin Music Awards, Jennifer Lopez paid a heartfelt tribute to the iconic star, marking 20 years since her premature departure. The 45-year-old singer, who famously portrayed Selena in a biopic released in 1997, put on a stunning seven-minute performance on stage, showcasing three elaborate costume changes while singing five of Selena’s most beloved songs.
All eyes were on Jennifer Lopez as she stole the show in a stunning jewelled bralet and form-fitting trousers while paying homage to Selena at the Billboard Latin Music Awards on Thursday evening.
Dazzling in her attire, the 45-year-old singer delivered an amazing performance, channeling the spirit of the late songstress. Jennifer took the stage in a shimmering, sequined bra top and matching high-waisted pants, with images of the singer displayed on a large screen behind her.
Her moving performance kicked off with Como La Flor, followed by Bidi Bidi Bom Bom, Amor Prohibido, I Could Fall In Love, and concluding with No Me Queda Mas. Jennifer was joined on stage by Los Dinos, the family band that originally accompanied the Mexican-American Tejano icon.
Emotional tribute: Jennifer paid a heartfelt homage to the beloved Selena Quintanilla with a moving seven-minute tribute, marking two decades since the talented singer’s untimely passing.
Effortless: On stage, Jennifer paid tribute to the iconic style of the Mexican-American Tejano star by changing her outfit three times. The audience, including Gregory Nava, writer and director of the 1997 movie, gave her a standing ovation. Overcome with emotion, Jennifer hugged Selena’s brother and sister, expressing her love for the late star. Selena unfortunately passed away before finishing her crossover album, “Dreaming of You,” but it was later released in July of 1995 posthumously and went on to become her first No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 chart.
Displaying her dance skills: The Feel the Light performer delivered an impressively lively show, especially during her rendition of Selena’s Bidi Bidi Bom Bom.
During the tribute, Jennifer joined forces with Los Dinos, the family band that famously supported Selena in her performances. Selena’s musical legacy is truly remarkable, with seven of her albums reaching the top spot on the Top Latin Albums chart, including a crossover album that held the position for an impressive 44 consecutive weeks. Even years after her passing, Selena continues to captivate new audiences, with six posthumous releases also reaching No. 1 on the Top Latin Albums chart. Pedro Fernandez, one of the hosts of the awards show which aired on Telemundo, described Selena as a one-of-a-kind, extraordinary star who left an indelible mark on the music industry. Though she may no longer be with us physically, her spirit, grace, and voice live on through her timeless music.
Pedro Fernandez, the co-host of the award show, heaped praise on Jennifer for her performance as Selena in the 1997 biopic. He described her portrayal as ‘magical’ and mentioned that it had a lasting impact on her artistic journey.
The supportive crowd was deeply moved by Jennifer’s sincere performance, giving her a standing ovation, as seen with Selena’s brother A.B. He praised Jennifer, stating that while she has achieved many successes, her portrayal of Selena on the big screen has left a lasting impact on her artistic career.
In a recent interview with Billboard in March, the Feel the Light singer reflected on her portrayal of Selena and the significance of the iconic singer in her life. Jennifer expressed that individuals like Selena are rare and irreplaceable, emphasizing that there will never be another like her.
Collage: A collection of images capturing moments of the beloved singer’s life were displayed on a big screen during Jennifer’s heartfelt homage.
At the end of the event, there was a poignant moment as the performers sang “No Me Queda Mas”. Reflecting on Selena’s life, one of the speakers mentioned how she was juggling a lot of responsibilities at a young age, like starting her own clothing line and getting married early. This realization emphasized the importance of living in the present and cherishing every moment, as tomorrow is never guaranteed. This personal insight had a deeper impact on them than any career success or fame.
Jennifer expressed that the impact Selena had on her goes far beyond just the movie itself, making a lasting impression that has affected her on a much deeper level in terms of her career.
Feeling heartfelt: Selena Quintanilla’s family, including her father/manager Abraham, sister Suzette on drums, brother A.B. on bass, and husband Chris Pérez on guitar, all joined Jennifer on stage.