The legendary Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla, a Mexican-American icon, tragically passed away at the young age of 23 after being shot by her fan club president, Yolanda Saldivar, in a heated argument. During the recent Billboard Latin Music Awards, Jennifer Lopez paid a heartfelt tribute to the influential star, marking 20 years since her premature passing. Lopez, 45, who famously portrayed Selena in the 1997 biopic, delivered a flawless seven-minute performance, showcasing three different outfits and performing five of Selena’s most popular songs. Watch the video below to witness the emotional tribute.
Jennifer Lopez was a showstopper in her stunning outfit at the Billboard Latin Music Awards, rocking a glamorous jeweled bralette and form-fitting trousers. The crowd was captivated as she paid tribute to Selena in a heartfelt performance.
Stunning Performance: The 45-year-old singer captivated the audience with her amazing vocals and glamorous outfit. Jennifer paid tribute to the late singer by wearing a sparkly bra top and matching high-waisted pants, while images of the singer were displayed on a big screen in the background. She started her emotional performance with Como La Flor, then moved on to Bidi Bidi Bom Bom, Amor Prohibido, I Could Fall in Love, and finished with No Me Queda Mas. Jennifer performed alongside Los Dinos, the band that had supported the Mexican-American Tejano icon.
A touching tribute: Jennifer paid a heartfelt homage to the iconic Selena Quintanilla, honoring the beloved singer 20 years after her tragic passing with a moving seven-minute tribute.
Jennifer paid tribute to the iconic Mexican-American Tejano star by changing her outfit three times on stage, channeling Selena’s style. The audience, including acclaimed writer and director Gregory Nava, gave Jennifer a standing ovation during her performance. Emotional and heartfelt, Jennifer declared her love for Selena and shared a hug with the late star’s brother and sister, who joined her on stage. Selena, whose life was cut short before she could finish her crossover album “Dreaming of You,” saw the album released posthumously in July 1995, eventually reaching No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart.
Wowing the audience with her dance moves: The singer of “Feel the Light” delivered a high-energy performance, especially during her rendition of Selena’s “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom.”
In a special tribute, Jennifer teamed up with Los Dinos, the family band that originally supported Selena. Seven of the late star’s albums reached the top spot on the Top Latin Albums chart, with her crossover album holding that position for an impressive 44 consecutive weeks. Selena’s popularity has only grown since her passing, with six posthumous releases also reaching No. 1 on the Top Latin Albums chart. Pedro Fernandez, one of the hosts of the awards show aired on Telemundo, praised Selena as a one-of-a-kind, exceptional, and irreplaceable star, emphasizing that her spirit, grace, and voice live on.
Praising her performance, co-host Pedro Fernandez at the award show described Jennifer’s role as Selena in the 1997 biopic as a ‘captivating portrayal’ that has left a lasting impact on her artistic journey.
Jennifer’s performance captivated the audience, who rewarded her with a standing ovation as captured in a photo with Selena’s brother A.B. He commended Jennifer, acknowledging her many successes but emphasizing her unforgettable portrayal of Selena on the big screen. In an interview with Billboard, Jennifer expressed her deep admiration for Selena, highlighting that she was a unique talent that will never be replaced.
Collage: Pictures of the late musician were projected on a large screen during Jennifer’s heartfelt tribute.
The show concluded with a powerful rendition of “No Me Queda Mas” that brought tears to everyone’s eyes. Jennifer reflected on Selena’s life, pointing out how she was tackling major life events at such a young age without preparation. Starting her own clothing line, getting married early – all these decisions showed Selena’s ability to live in the moment, knowing that life is unpredictable. Jennifer admitted that Selena’s death taught her a valuable lesson about cherishing the present and not taking anything for granted. This personal impact was far more significant to her than any career success she had achieved in the industry.
Jennifer discussed how Selena’s teachings had a more profound impact on her compared to the movie in terms of her career.
Excitement filled the atmosphere as Jennifer was joined on stage by Selena Quintanilla’s family, including manager and father Abraham, drummer sister Suzette, bass-playing brother A.B., and guitar-playing husband Chris Perez.