While Selena Quintanilla Pérez remains an iconic figure in music history, the story of her sister, Suzette Quintanilla, is equally compelling. Suzette was not only Selena's bandmate but also a pillar of strength for her family, especially after Selena's tragic death. Her journey is one of resilience, business acumen, and dedication to preserving her sister's legacy.
From Drums to CEO: Suzette's Role in Selena Y Los Dinos
Suzette played drums in the family band Selena Y Los Dinos. She was more than just a bandmate, and also a partner and co-owner of the group. Her role was integral to the band's success. However, Selena's death deeply affected Suzette. As she shared emotionally, "When she died, drumming meant nothing to me anymore. And I don’t play anymore… I miss it, but I don’t miss it."
Carrying the Torch: Preserving Selena's Memory
After Selena's passing, Suzette took on the responsibility of ensuring her sister's legacy lived on. She serves as CEO and President of Q Productions, the family’s music production company, and oversees the Selena Museum in Corpus Christi. "At one point, maybe 10 years in, I really was like, you know what? Before I leave this earth, I want to make sure that nobody forgets my sister,” she explained. “Her life got robbed. Her life was taken from her and it’s unfair. So I will be her voice for her, and my family will be. And her fans are her voice."
Suzette's work extends from music to merchandise to media, ensuring that Selena's memory continues to transcend generations. She collaborated on the Netflix documentary about Selena, along with her brother A.B. Quintanilla. “I know now, and I feel confident - it might sound a little cocky - but I am so grateful that if I die tomorrow, my sister’s legacy will live on,” said Suzette.
Addressing Beauty Standards and Self-Love: Noemi Gonzalez's Portrayal of Suzette
Actress Noemi Gonzalez, who played Suzette Quintanilla in Netflix's "Selena: The Series," shared her personal journey of self-acceptance in Hollywood. In an open letter, she discussed the pressures to conform to beauty standards and how she decided to embrace her natural self. "I decided to love myself first and always. I decided I was going to rebel against the norm simply by existing wholly as I am. I wasn't going to lose my curves, drop weight in order to fit a certain mold," she writes. "Was it more challenging? Yes. Did I lose jobs because of it? Probably."
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Gonzalez also reflected on her experience playing Mia Rosales on "The Young and the Restless" and how social media impacted her self-perception. She found that taking on the role of Suzette, which involved a physical transformation, allowed her to embrace self-love even further. "Stepping into this role was different. And, without my long hair as a security blanket, I was really relearning what I loved about myself," she says. "I have a theory that because I was already aware of society's unrealistic beauty expectations, my transformation was a journey of more self-love. Not having long hair and putting on extra body weight allowed me to feel liberated. Not having long hair will allow people to see all of me. I got more thick, more plump, and I felt good taking up more space just by existing. The result, she says, is, "I've never felt more fulfilled and beautiful."
Jackie Guerra's Experience: Weight Loss and Self-Discovery
Jackie Guerra, who portrayed Suzette in the movie "Selena," has her own story of weight loss and self-discovery. She lost nearly 200 pounds and wrote about her experiences in her book, "Under Construction, How I’ve gained and lost millions of dollars and hundreds of pounds!" Guerra discussed the challenges she faced as her body changed and how it impacted her career and self-perception. "I was 340 lbs and I went down to 170. I wasn’t ready for the way the world would see me. I mean people didn’t recognize me, my own brother walked passed me in the mall, my agents didn’t know what to do with me. I wasn’t the bubbly chubby girl anymore, I had to change my whole mindset."
Guerra also shared her personal struggles with addiction and abuse, emphasizing the importance of healing and setting boundaries. She expressed gratitude for being part of the "Selena" movie and acknowledged Suzette's vital role in the Quintanilla family. "Suzette is the secret weapon of the family, she does it all, she’s the classy, funny, bad-ass, peacemaker, that is the first one to the party and the first one to know when to shut it down."
Suzette's Personal Life: Marriage and Family
Suzette married Bill Arriaga in 1993, and they are still together. The wedding was featured in "Selena: The Series," which sparked interest in the real-life event. Yolanda Saldívar, Selena's future murderer, was a bridesmaid in the wedding. Suzette and Bill have a son named Jovan, who celebrated his 23rd birthday in March. Suzette occasionally shares photos of her family on her public Instagram account.
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