Tex-Mex Icon Selena Quintanilla Receives Posthumous National Medal of Arts

Selena Quintanilla, our beloved Tex-Mex queen, just received the highest arts honor from President Biden, discover how her legacy continues to inspire today's biggest Latina stars.

Nearly three decades after her passing, our beloved Latina queen, Selena Quintanilla, continues to receive prestigious accolades. On October 21, President Joseph R. Biden honored the late Mexican-American music icon with a posthumous National Medal of Arts during the 2022 and 2023 National Medals of Arts ceremony at the White House.

The press release describes the award as “the highest award given to artists and arts patrons by the federal government.” It is awarded to “individuals or groups who deserve special recognition because of their outstanding contributions to the excellence, growth, support, and availability of the arts in the United States.”

Based on that description, it’s clear why Selena received this honor. Her iconic Tex-Mex sound continues to inspire today’s Latina stars. Recently, Mexican-American pop star Becky G honored Selena with her newest single, “OTRO CAPÍTULO,” part of her latest album, Encuentros. Last year, Colombian pop sensation Karol G paid tribute to Selena with her song “Mi Ex Tenía Razón” from Mañana Será Bonito (Bichota Season).

In addition to countless tributes, Selena is known for her timeless hits like “Amor Prohibido,” “Como La Flor,” and “Si Una Vez.” As a successful crossover artist, she also left a mark on English-language music with her posthumous album Dreaming of You, which includes favorites such as “I Could Fall in Love,” “Dreaming of You,” and “Missing My Baby.”

Selena’s sister, Suzette Quintanilla, accepted the award on her behalf. “We are excited to announce that Selena will be honored with the prestigious National Medal of Arts by President Biden and Dr. Biden at the White House this evening,” she shared online. “This remarkable achievement celebrates Selena’s enduring impact on her music and legacy.” This year’s recipients also included singer and actor Queen Latifah and acclaimed directors Steven Spielberg and Spike Lee.

Last year, three notable Latinos were among the honorees: Puerto Rican musician José Feliciano, Mexican-American artist and activist Judith Baca, and Puerto Rican painter and graphic artist Antonio Martorell. Cuban-American poet Richard Blanco also received a National Humanities Medal.

Who would you like to see receive this incredible award next year?

Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons