Salma Valadez Design Editor
Nearly a year ago Netflix announced the development of “Selena: The Series”, a biographical drama series about the late Tejano singer, known as the Queen of Tejano, Selena Quintanilla. The series seems to be intended to honor Selena and her legacy, however, the exploitative nature of its creation cannot be overlooked. At its core, “Selena: The Series” feels more like an exploitative cash grab rather than a commemorative work.
The show aims to depict the successful life and tragic death of the late Tejano singer who was the first female to successfully make it in the originally male-dominated genre of Tejano. Yet the story has already been told in the 1997 biographical film “Selena”, a movie made over 20 years ago. Grant- ed the show could potentially go into slightly more detail about the singer and reach audiences on an international level, it will be the exact same story already depicted through film. Retelling the same story is redundant and further suggests the primary motivation behind its creation was monetary instead of honorary.
In recent years, Selena has surpassed the Hispanic icon she’s known and loved as and morphed into a pop-culture legend. With the MAC makeup line titled “Selena” launched in September of 2016, the Quintanilla’s failed fan-funded $500,000 Selena hologram. Evolution tour titled “Selena the One” in 2018, and the “White Rose” clothing collection inspired by the Tejano singer Forever 21 released in March of 2019 in addition to the new Netflix series, it seems as if the Quintanilla family, who of serve as executive producers of “Selena: The Series”, is abusing Selena’s ascending celebrity status. As opposed to preserving her memory, the series adds to the feeling of perverting Selena’s memory.
Nearly a year ago Netflix announced the development of “Selena: The Series”, a biographical drama series about the late Tejano singer, known as the Queen of Tejano, Selena Quintanilla. The series seems to be intended to honor Selena and her legacy, however, the exploitative nature of its creation cannot be overlooked. At its core, “Selena: The Series” feels more like an exploitative cash grab rather than a commemorative work.
The show aims to depict the successful life and tragic death of the late Tejano singer who was the first female to successfully make it in the originally male-dominated genre of Tejano. Yet the story has already been told in the 1997 biographical film “Selena”, a movie made over 20 years ago. Granted the show could potentially go into slightly more detail about the singer and reach audiences on an international level, it will be the exact same story already depicted through film. Retelling the same story is redundant and further suggests the primary motivation behind its creation was monetary instead of honorary.
It’s easy to get lost in the excitement of launches and releases that appear to honor the legacy of such an iconic figure, especially one who Hispanic culture within society and empowers the Hispanic community. However, as fans, it’s important to be aware of the differences between commemorating Selena and exploiting her. There’s a fine line between the two that has been crossed one too many times and “Selena: The Series” is just one more way it’s been crossed.