Selena

She was a designer, singer and performer and broke down barriers in the world of music. The dual nature of her role as the Mexican American star was both traditional and contemporary. She introduced Tejano into the mainstream in an innovative way. Her untimely death splintered her rising profile and as often happens the moment a brilliant, warm superstar dies young, she has left many mourning every potential that was not fully realized. Her fans have been working harder in an effort to not forget what she has achieved. Her tragic death in a shooting triggered a response in the Latino Community that was comparable with the reactions to the death of Elvis Presley or John Lennon. Selena was a hugely popular Latino singer across North America. Her music transcended boundaries and touched the hearts of both young people and older adults. An edgy, sexy stage actress sometimes hailed as Selena the Latina Madonna Selena was nonetheless considered a role model for on stage she was a family-oriented involved in anti-drug initiatives and AIDS awareness programs.