Selena’s life has touched her fans ever since she hit the music scene. Her contagious smile and bubbly lyrics made her a favorite of both Spanish and English speaking music lovers alike. However, it is her death that has mystified the world for the past 24 years. Since that day in March of 1995, Selena’s fans have grieved the loss of the Queen of Tejano music and condemned the woman who took her life. Now, the story of her death and the following murder trial of her killer will be brought to US TV screens. 

Telemundo has announced their new series — “El Secreto de Selena” — that will explore the murder investigation and trial following Selena’s death. 

Twitter / @mediamoves

The series is based on the bestselling book by Puerto Rican journalist Maria Celeste Arrarás. Back in 1995, Arrarás covered the trial of Yolanda Saldívar and also conducted a questionable interview with the former fan club president. The Quintanilla family has long been vocal against the accuracy of Arrarás book. 

In the past, sister Suzette has called it “based on a whole bunch of lies.” 

As such, the family was not involved with the production of this series. 

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The family is involved, however, in a Netflix original series about the late star’s life. The untitled Selena project was announced at the end of 2018 and will begin production soon. 

Of course, it’s not that surprising considering the disputes they’ve had over Selena’s estate. 

Previously, patriarch Abraham Quintanilla and Selena’s husband, Chris Perez, have gone through litigation around the use of Selena’s likeness and story for any sort of media content. 

Back in 2016, Perez wanted to produce TV series based on his memoir “To Selena With Love.” The courts found in the Quintanillas’ favor and the series was scrapped. 

This controversial new series aired last year on Telemundo in Mexico and South America and will air in August in the United States.  

In the series, Mexican actress Sofía Lama plays Arrarás, who also serves as a producer for “El Secreto de Selena.” In her book, the journalist shows herself as a protagonist alongside Selena and Saldívar. As such, the series will follow this narrative and Arrarás character will have quite a bit of screen time. 

The role of Selena is played by Mexican actress Maya Zapata.

Zapata has acted in several television series and movies, including 2007’s “Bordertown” with Antonio Banderas and Jennifer Lopez. Of course, Lopez’s first starring role as an actress was in the 1997 movie “Selena,” proving it really is a small world. 

Damayanti Quintanar plays Yolanda Saldívar.

The former president of Selena’s San Antonio-based fan club, Saldívar was confronted by the Quintinilla family for embezzling funds from Selena’s clothing boutiques. After she was fired, she lured Selena to a Corpus Christi hotel, begging for the chance to talk. It was there that she shot and killed the music star. Saldívar is eligible for parole in 2025. 

Rounding out the ensemble cast, Venezuelan actor Daniel Elbittar portrays Selena’s husband Perez. The Quintanilla family is played by Jorge Zárate (Abraham), Baltimore Beltran (AB), Bárbara González (Suzette) and Úrsula Pruneda (Marcella).

The 13 episode run will first air in the States on August 25th with new episodes every Sunday. 

Twitter / @Telemundo

The series will combine the acted script and real testimonials from Selena’s murder investigation and the trial of Saldívar. 

While we aren’t sure if this new series will tell us anything we don’t already know about Selena’s life and death, we are certain that it will be an emotional series for Selena fans to watch.  

Singer Kali Uchis is not having the most ideal summer. The American-Colombian artist is allegedly being sued by her former manager, Claire Bogle, who worked for Uchis since 2016. Court documents show that Bogle alleges Uchis didn’t pay her 20 percent of her $1.5 million earnings. But just because she’s embroiled in legal issues, doesn’t mean Uchis is going to let that damper her charity work. The singer is coming through as the headliner for the 2019 Selena for Sanctuary concert, a

Kali Uchis is slated to perform at the third annual Selena For Sanctuary concert in New York City.

“Honored to be headlining Selena for Sanctuary this year. creating safe spaces& raising funds for immigrants; celebrating our roots, & our journeys, all while paying tribute to the inspirational icon Selena. tix are free but all donations & money raised there will support Make The Road NY Organization. c u there,” she said on Instagram.

Since 2017, Doris Muñoz of Mija Management has been producing Selena for Sanctuary, a concert to help undocumented immigrants.

Her mission remains to donate all proceeds from her concerts to undocumented people who need funds for legal fees, to submit DACA applications, etc. This year the entire proceeds of the show will go to Make The Road NY. Their mission is to provide “Legal and Survival Services,” develop “Transformative Education,” and help with “Community Organizing.”

“When our parents can barely afford to take a day off of work to go to the lawyer’s office, how are they even going to pay that lawyer?” Muñoz told Remezcla in an interview in 2017. “I think in the Donald Trump era, we’re sometimes afraid of who we’re talking to and having a brown body, you can feel like a target,” Munoz added. “To be in a safe space like this, surrounded by people who believe in fighting for your community with you, is really beautiful.”

The aim of Selena for Sanctuary is to raise money and awareness for immigrant issues that are impacting millions of lives. The New York City event will be part of Central Park’s Summerstage concert series and it is the second year that the event is happening in NYC.

“Thank you to every single artist + team a part of this. this line up honors how amazing and diverse our Latinx community in music is right now,” Muñoz wrote on Instagram. “This series started out of urgency early 2017, and to see where it has grown feels like all my dreams are coming to life. 
ALSOOOO WE’RE BECOMING AN OFFICIAL NON PROFIT THIS YEAR Y’ALL 😭.”

Other performers this year also include Cuco.

“YOOOO! So excited to announce being a part of Selena for Sanctuary’s second year in NYC!!! Come out to Central Park August 18th to support our immigrant community in need,” Cuco posted on Instagram. “From personal experiences and coming from a family of immigrants, it’s so important to me that you come and get informed of the struggles going on in our current climate (but also have fun remembering Selena). Love you all ♥️”

It just goes to show that so many people in our community are being impacted by immigration and the immigration policies. Thankfully, Selena for Sanctuary is giving these people and families hope.

Helado Negro will also use his music to bring attention to the struggles of migrants.

“Solidarity for Sanctuary is a non-profit aimed to amplify the voices of immigrant communities through music, advocacy, and the arts,” Helado Negro posted on Instagram. “See you all at the park. :)”

IV Jay, Ambar Lucid, Jasper Bones, The Santuario House Band with music direction by Adrian Quesada, are also scheduled to be performing as well. 

We’re especially looking forward to a performance by Selena’s nephew Principe Q!

“Honored that I was invited to play this FREE event in August 🙏🏽 Selena was all about giving back to her community,” Svani Quintanilla said on Instagram. “It’s beautiful to see such a big event giving back to a bigger community in her honor.”

We assume that this special honor means so much more since he is playing in honor of his tía as well. What a sweet moment for a family to see things coming full circle.

The free show will take place on August 18, at 8 p.m., at Central Park in New York City. Click here for more information. 

READ: If This Single Is Any Indicator, Kali Uchis New Album Is Going To Be Lit