Selena Quintanilla-Pérez would have been “extremely happy” about the pop-up exhibit at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles celebrating her life and legacy, those close to the singer say.
The exhibit titled “Selena: From Texas To The World” opened to the public today. It is the first display of the late singer-songwriter’s personal artifacts approved by her estate outside the Selena Museum in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Her sister Suzette Quintanilla and Selena y Los Dinos guitarist Chris Pérez joined reporters at a media preview on Wednesday, Jan. 14.
“We’re very happy that Selena’s exhibit is displayed here with so many other iconic artists that I know she was a fan of, and she would have been extremely happy,” Pérez told Urban Hollywood 411.
The guitarist was married to the “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom” singer at the time of her death in 1995. He said it was an “emotional thing” seeing the artifacts and the dozens of journalists documenting her story at the preview event.
Selena was born in Lake Jackson, Texas in 1971, and started performing with family members at local weddings. She launched a professional career as a member of Selena y Los Dinos, which also included her older siblings A.B. Quintanilla and Suzette Quintanilla.
Suzette is president and CEO of Q-Productions as well as executor of The Selena Estate. She traveled to L.A. for the preview and described some of the items on loan to the Grammy Museum.
“It not only has Selena’s outfits, but it also has Chris’ guitar, A.B.’s bass and my drum set,” she said.
The exhibit additionally includes videos of Selena performing and personal items like her microphone that still has lipstick on it from the last time she used it.
Pérez said fans will learn more about the singer by visiting the exhibit.
“There’s been the movie, the documentary, and other projects that have come up, but I think people will walk in here and feel even closer to her,” said Pérez.
Before her death at age 23, Selena made significant contributions to music, and was known to fans as the “Queen of Tejano Music.” She sold millions of records, won two Grammy Awards, and picked up the Tejano Music Awards female vocalist of the year trophy multiple times.
The Grammy Museum commissioned Los Angeles artist Daniel Toledo aka “Mister Toledo” to paint a mural in front of the building representing the singer’s career.
“I tried to capture different moments of her life — music videos, doing live performances, her receiving the Grammy, and also showcasing different outfits and different styles that she had,” Toledo told Urban Hollywood 411.
The artist said he was honored to have played a role in the exhibit.
“Me being Mexican American, it means a lot to me because I grew up listening to her music,” he explained.
The museum’s curator, Kelsey Goelz, called the mural “a beautiful homage to Selena.”
The singer’s sister said the timing of the exhibit is a coincidence, yet a fitting tribute to a proud Latina during the current political climate in the U.S.
“It’s important to not hide who we are,” she said. “This is a great representation of the fact that not only was Selena an amazing artist and an amazing person… She was very proud of who she was as a Latina woman.”
The pop up is scheduled to run through March 16. It required a year of planning and was timed to open ahead of the 2026 Grammy Awards, which will take place across the street next month.
“I just want to give big thanks to the Grammy Museum for reaching out and making this happen, Suzette said.
You can listen to the interviews on our YouTube channel.
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