The artists at Madame Tussauds Hollywood worked closely with the Quintanilla family to get the outfit, makeup, hair and attitude of the new Selena wax figure just right. They even made a trip to the Selena Museum in Corpus Christi for research. Courtesy photo
The crowd of fans first cheered then chanted, “Selena, Selena, Selena,” when the purple curtain fell Aug. 30 to reveal the newest wax figure at Madame Tussauds Hollywood. On hand to celebrate the wax replica of Selena Quintanilla Perez, donned in purple and black and crystal beads, were sister Suzette Arriaga, brother A.B. Quintanilla and husband Chris Perez.
“It was literally a breathtaking experience,” Perez told the audience about the moment he first viewed the completed figure. “At the same time, we were feeling really proud of the accomplishment, remembering the moments we did get to share on stage.”
Valued at $350,000, the Selena figure is dressed in a replica of the outfit the Tejano music superstar wore during a concert at Memorial Coliseum in Corpus Christi on Feb. 7, 1993. The concert was recorded for her award-winning “Selena, Live!” album.
“On that particular night, we recorded the record that got her her first Grammy,” Perez said. “It was an amazing experience. We know she would be honored (by the wax figure) and proud as well.”
The August unveiling was planned to commemorate Selena’s fifth and final album, “Dreaming of You,” which was released posthumously in July 1995, just months after she killed. A first for a Latin artist, the album made it to the top of the Billboard charts.
The Quintanilla family worked closely with the museum throughout the process of choosing her pose, hairstyle, makeup and outfit.
Arriaga echoed the feeling of awe felt when first viewing the wax figure.
“It kind of left us all kind of speechless,” she said. “We are so honored to have her here in Hollywood. Now we have to get her in Vegas and everywhere so the world will know her.”
A spokesperson for Madame Tussauds Hollywood, in introducing the unveiling, noted that the wax figure museum has been celebrating the world’s most famous people for more than 200 years.
“It’s not about the figure,” he said. “It’s about the person. We celebrate people who have left their mark on our culture — the people who inspire us. Selena really is that person. Her power is undeniable.”
