8 Things You Didn't Know About Selena Quintanilla

​Promotional image for 'Amor Prohibido' music album of Selena Quintanilla
Image Credits: Universal Music Latino

Selena Quintanilla, the absolute Queen of Tejano Music, forever changed Latino culture. She left a mark that we don’t think will ever be erased and her music is still a staple in any respectable Latino playlist. A lot of people know Selena for her talent, beauty, and tragic end, but there’s still so much to learn about her. She was a fascinating person and there are a few lesser-known things about her we think everyone should know. Do you think you know everything about Selena? Here are 8 things that may surprise you:


She Experienced True Love

Portrait of Selena Quintanilla and Chris P\u00e9rez

Photo by Chris Pérez on Instagram

Selena’s relationship with Chris Pérez is well known at this point and he was her first and only love. But did you know that they had a couple’s song? You know, that one song couples love and has deep meaning in their relationship. Selena and Chris’ song was “More Than Words” by Extreme. In his book, “To Selena, With Love,” Chris reminisces about the song, writing, “As we sat there, Selena put her head on my shoulder and started softly singing one of my favorite songs, ‘More than Words,’ by a phenomenal band called Extreme that I’d introduced to her not long before. Those lyrics seemed to describe our feelings for one another perfectly.”

Selena Said “I Love You” for the First Time in a Pizza Hut

Portrait of Selena Quintanilla and Chris P\u00e9rez

Photo by Chris Pérez on Instagram

In his book, “To Selena, With Love” Chris also shared the story about the first time they told each other “I love you.” It turns out they were at a Pizza Hut, enjoying Selena’s favorite food (pizza with extra pepperoni), when they started talking about what they wanted for their relationship in the future. That’s when Chris let her know how much he cared about he. At the time, they were keeping the relationship a secret from her father and he was agonizing about that. Well, the confession must’ve moved Selena deeply because that’s the moment she said “I love you” for the first time. As if it wasn’t obvious enough, Chris said it right back, sealing the relationship.

Selena Was Quite a Foodie

Selena performs at Hemisfair Plaza in San Antonio, TX, April 24, 1994

Photo by Sung Park

If there’s something Selena loved as much as music was food! She loved to eat it, cook it, and she loved talking about it as well. She often experimented with different recipes, but she preferred traditional Mexican dishes. Her absolute favorite restaurant in Corpus Christi, where she lived, was the Hi-Ho Restaurant, and you can still visit it today. The restaurant honors her by keeping photos of her and they even have a mural painting of her. Not to mention the food is amazing, so it’s a go-to spot for authentic Mexican dishes.

Selena Struggled with Shyness

\u200bPromotional image for 'Amor Prohibido' music album of Selena Quintanilla

Image Credits: Universal Music Latino

You wouldn’t think it by watching her performances, which are still captivating and electric, but Selena was naturally quite shy. She often felt nervous before going on stage, but she leaned on her family and close friends to get that confidence boost she needed to get out there. Once she was on that stage, the shyness melted away and she had a special way of connecting with the audience. That’s that star power that you just have to be born with!

She Was Actively Involved in Songwriting

Official image of Selena associated with 'Moonchild Mixes' album from Warner Music Latina.

Image Credits: Warner Music Latina

Selena was deeply involved in the creative process of her music and she co-wrote many of her songs. Her family was very involved in her music as is well known and she worked closely with her brother, A.B. Quintanilla for her songwriting. He was the principal songwriter and producer for her band, helping Selena’s multi-talent and versatility shine through in her music.

Selena Was a Passionate Learner

Portrait of Selena Quintanilla

Photo by Juan23carlos on Wikimedia Commons

One of the things that characterized Selena was her passion for learning. She finished high school through correspondence while she was touring and then she went to California University, where she started working on her business degree through correspondence as well. She loved visiting schools to help kids understand how important education was and she also created a stay-in-school campaign in 1994 to kick off American Education Week at Cunningham Middle School. For that event, she created an education video called “Mi Musica,” where she told kids, “Your high school diploma is one of the most important things you’ll accomplish in life, so use your heads, my friends, and stay in school.”

Selena Was an Avid Collector

Photography of a Faberg\u00e9 egg in Faberg\u00e9 Museum, Saint Petersburg, Russia

Photo by Ninara on Wikimedia Commons

Another thing you may not know about Selena is that she was quite a collector! She particularly loved collecting Fabergé eggs, which is understandable because they’re gorgeous. Selena started this hobby later in life, but she managed to amass a significant collection by the time of her passing.

She Was a Humble Queen

Selena performs at Hemisfair Plaza in San Antonio, TX, April 24, 1994

Photo by Sung Park

One of the things that people love most about Selena is how down-to-earth, humble, and warm she was. For example, Selena loved to shop at regular stores like Walmart even at the height of her fame and she didn’t keep it a secret at all. It’s been reported that one day, a stranger complimented Selena on a dress she was wearing and she told the lady she got it at Kmart. Suzette, Selena’s sister and drummer, was with her at the time and she was a little embarrassed. “Why did you say that?” she reportedly asked Selena, to which the star answered, “What? I did get it from there!” We love a humble and honest queen!

This Viral Video Game Is Changing the Face of Voter Outreach

In 2024, voting campaigns have evolved greatly, to say the least. Creativity is now the name of the game and tongue-in-cheek humor is expertly leveraged to drive action. One example of that is Bop the Bigot, a revival of a viral game created in 2016 by Bazta Arpaio, an Arizona activist group, as part of a campaign to unseat Maricopa County’s Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Arpaio lost his re-election to Paul Penzone that year.

The game has now been updated for the current election cycle and relaunched by On Point Studios, with new features added to enable players to find out what’s on their ballot, confirm voter status, and register to vote.

Much like its former 2016 version, the game allows users to take out their political frustrations by virtually “bopping” GOP candidates in the head. It’s very similar to whack-a-mole, except the mole is replaced by former President Donald Trump, Ohio’s Senator J. D. Vance, and Kevin Roberts, President of the Heritage Foundation, which is spearheading Project 2025.

cartoon renditions of Donald Trump and J.D. Vance around a Bop the Bigot logoPromotional image provided by On Point Studios.

B. Loewe, Director of On Point Studios, came up with the concept for this game when working as the Communications Director at Bazta Arpaio in 2016, and is the executive producer of this revamped version. In the first version of the game, Bop the Bigot players used a chancla (flip flop) to “bop” the characters, tapping into Latino culture by leaning on the childhood experience of being set right by a flying chancla from a fed-up mother or grandmother.

This year, the chancla is replaced by a more current element, a green coconut, referencing Kamala Harris’ coconut tree meme. There are also side characters like “the couch,” cat ladies, and more coconuts. All references to jokes about Vice-Presidential candidate Vance, or insults Vance has made about women on the campaign trail.

Another new addition is that Harris’ laugh is immortalized as the game-over sound effect, an unexpected detail that adds even more humor and levity to the game.

cartoon renditions of Donald Trump, Kevin Roberts, and J.D. Vance around a Bop the Bigot logoPromotional image provided by On Point Studios.

Bop the Bigot, which is playable on desktop and mobile, is intended not just as a way to vent political frustrations, but also as a tool for activism and securing voter engagement.

For example, the game supports the work of Mexican Neidi Dominguez Zamorano, Founding Executive Director of the non-profit organization Organized Power in Numbers by using the “game over” screen to prompt players to donate to it and support their efforts.

Organized Power in Numbers is focused on empowering workers in the South and Southwest of the U.S. through collective action and comprehensive campaigns. Their mission is to create a large-scale movement that challenges the status quo and advocates for workers' rights, and racial and economic justice.

Currently, Dominguez Zamorano is leading worker outreach to 2 million working-class voters in the South and Southwest through doorknocking, texting, and calls with the help of local groups in North Carolina, Arizona, New Mexico, and more.

“We have been blown away by the enthusiastic reception for the video game. We knew we wanted to be part of its creative approach because our movement needs more fun and laughter. We need more ways to connect with nuestra gente so we can feel joy among all the absurdity we witness every day,” Dominguez Zamorano shared with Luz Media via email.

“Our people are gente trabajadora and we deserve to feel uplifted even in our toughest moments. We are deeply involved in the South and Southwest so we know what’s at stake in this election and we’re happy this can be a resource to mobilize, raise spirits, and get out the vote," she concluded.

Dominguez Zamorano is a committed activist for immigrants and workers' rights, known for her strategist skills and expertise. She played a key role in the campaign to win DACA and has also held roles in major campaigns, including as Deputy National States Director for Bernie Sanders' 2020 presidential campaign. In addition to her work with Organized Power in Numbers, Dominguez Zamorano is serving as a Senior Advisor to Mijente’s Fuera Trump Initiative.

Grassroots efforts like these have taken on new life in 2024, with Bop the Bigot adding to the larger, ongoing fight against political apathy and disinformation. Just as it did during the 2016 race, the video game uses humor to soften the serious task at hand—getting people to the polls.

"We want the game to be a fun and comical outlet for anyone who’s been insulted, frustrated, or harmed by Trump in the past and everyone who is ready to move forward as a country after election day," explained Loewe in a press release. "The proposals in Project 2025 and the beliefs of Trump and Vance aren’t just weird, they’re truly harmful. We wanted to give people a humorous and peaceful way to smack down their racism and sexism. We hope it makes people laugh and also feel empowered and motivated to get to the polls on or before election day."

With a mix of satire, sharp political critique, and nostalgia, the game is a call to action. The upcoming election, which is getting closer by the minute, has sparked fierce activism and creative yet grounded initiatives like these aim to ensure voters are engaged, especially young Latinos and disenfranchised groups.

hands holding up yellow protest signs that say Hands Off Our Bodies
Photo Credit: Gayatri Malhotra via Unsplash

Originally published in Common Dreams. Reprinted with permission.

The Latino electorate will prove decisive in securing reproductive freedom and abortion access through ballot measures around the country, particularly in states where Latinos are a significant portion of the electorate.

In November, abortion rights measures will appear on ballots across ten states, including Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, and New York, where Latinos make up a significant portion of the electorate. For decades, pundits and politicians have recycled long-held misconceptions about Latino voters and abortion access, citing our conservative and religious beliefs.

Anti-abortion extremists have long fueled these misconceptions through misinformation and disinformation campaigns targeting Latino communities with egregious lies and inflammatory rhetoric about abortion. Yet, polling, focus groups, and direct interactions with Latino communities have debunked these outdated tropes.

The Latino electorate will prove decisive in securing reproductive freedom and abortion access through ballot measures around the country, particularly in states where Latinos are a significant portion of the electorate.

For Latinos, the freedom to decide, a pillar of our American democracy, is critical. Meanwhile, Latinos are being hit directly with anti-abortion efforts that take away that freedom such as the six-week abortion ban put into effect by the Florida Supreme Court and the 1864 abortion ban upheld by the Arizona Supreme Court. In the wake of the Dobbs decision, people of color and Latinas have felt the impact of a lack of abortion access, an element of basic healthcare.

A 2023 report by the National Partnership for Women and Families estimated that nearly 6.5 million Latinas, or 42% of all Latinas of reproductive age in the country, live in a state that either had or was likely to ban abortion. Ironically, it will be abortion access and anti-choice efforts to restrict freedom of choice that will mobilize Latino voters this election.

In a poll conducted by three national reproductive justice organizations, 87% of Latinas named abortion and women’s rights as one of their top priorities as they head to the polls. Another battleground poll conducted by Somos PAC and BSP Research found that 61% of Latino registered voters expressed a more positive/favorable view of Kamala Harris after hearing that she will protect abortion rights, versus only 19% of Latinos who said they had a more negative view of Harris after hearing that.

In key states to secure the White House and both chambers, Latinos make up large chunks of the electorate: Arizona (25%), Colorado (15%), Florida (20%), Nevada (20%), and New York (12%). In the face of unprecedented attacks on basic healthcare access and targeted attempts by extremists to mislead and divide our community on this issue, this November Latinos will be key deciders on abortion access across the country.

Mari Urbina, Managing Director of Indivisible, Battleground Arizona Lead and former Harry Reid advisor.

Héctor Sánchez Barba is president and CEO of Mi Familia Vota (MFV).