Selena

Selena is a 1997 biography about the life of Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla-Perez. The film details Selena's beginnings as a child performer up to her rise in stardom as a Latino and North American icon, ultimately culminating to her untimely and tragic death at the hands of her fanclub manager, Yolanda Saldivar, just as she was on the cusp of crossing over into the English-language pop market. Jennifer Lopez stars in the lead role, and Edward James Olmos stars along side her as Selena's father, Abraham Quintanilla. This film is notable for providing a Star-Making Role for Jennifer Lopez.

Tropes used in Selena include:

• All Girls Want Bad Boys: Selena's husband was Chris Perez- who had long hair, wore punk clothes, and played heavy metal before performing with her.
• Bitch in Sheep's Clothing: Yolanda Saldivar.
• Downer Ending: The movie ends with Selena's death and a candlelight vigil being held in her honor.
• Fake Nationality: The movie got into a little hot water when they cast Lopez to play Selena. Some people felt that they should honor Selena's Mexican heritage by hiring a Mexican (and for extra authenticity, Tejana) actress, instead of Lopez, who's Puerto Rican (and from New York to boot, while Selena was Texas born and raised). One area in which the casting was accurate is that Spanish was actually both performers' second language, as both grew up speaking only English at home.
• Ms. Fanservice: Selena's father is not thrilled when she starts wearing a bustier while performing, despite the fact that superstars like Madonna and Janet Jackson have made them de rigeur for female pop singers.
• Star-Making Role: Before she was the diva J-Lo, she made her mark with this movie as Jennifer Lopez, talented actress. Despite her own future as a pop star, though, Lopez does none of her own singing here.
• Tomboy and Girly Girl: Tomboy Selena who enjoyed playing outdoors, vs. girly girl Suzette who did not want to be a drummer because "girls don't play drums".