Thirty years after her tragic death, Selena, known during her lifetime as the Queen of Tejano music, continues to draw millions of adoring fans to her music and life story. This weekend, Telemundo honors her legacy with a two-part special, Siempre Selena: 30 años de su Muerte (Always Selena: 30 Years After Her Death). The special will celebrate her life, music, and the enduring impact of the beloved artist, while also revisiting the events surrounding her untimely death.
Selena was murdered at age 23 on March 31, 1995. Already a charismatic star with multiple Spanish-language hits, she was on the verge of crossing over into English-language pop superstardom at the time of her death. Dreaming of You, her critically acclaimed album featuring the English-language hit “I Could Fall in Love,” was released posthumously.
Selena was fatally shot by Yolanda Saldívar, the founder of her fan club, who was recently denied parole on Thursday, March 27. Currently serving her sentence in a Texas prison, Saldívar is scheduled for another parole review in 2030.
Hosted by Jessica Carrillo and Lourdes Stephen, the tribute program will air live on Saturday, March 29, from 8 to 9 pm ET, and continue on Sunday, March 30, from 4 to 6 pm ET. For the special, Carrillo traveled to Selena’s hometown of Corpus Christi, Texas, to visit the neighborhood where the iconic singer was born and the site of her tragic death.
The special will feature interviews with stars such as Jennifer López, who portrayed Selena in the 1997 biopic written and directed by Gregory Nava, as well as Ana Bárbara, Carin León, Lucía Méndez, Pete Astudillo, and Yuri. Selena’s brother, AB Quintanilla, will also make a special appearance to reflect on his sister’s extraordinary musical career and unveil a never-before-seen musical performance dedicated to her memory.
Selena has been honored with multiple tributes since her passing. Among them: she was featured on a commemorative U.S. postage stamp in 2011, received a Google Doodle commemorating her solo debut album released on October 17, 1989, and was awarded a posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2017. In addition to the 1997 film, a family-approved telling of her life was brought to the screen by Netflix in 2020, with Christian Serratos starring as the late singer in Selena: The Series.
Telemundo’s tribute to Selena doesn’t end with the two-part special. Throughout the week, the network’s daytime programs will feature special coverage dedicated to Selena’s life and music, culminating in a broadcast of the iconic biographical film Selena, starring Jennifer López, on Saturday, April 5, at 8 pm ET.