A controversial docuseries shedding light on the tragic murder of beloved Tejano music icon Selena Quintanilla premiered on Saturday evening via Oxygen True Crime.
Yolanda Saldívar, the convicted murderer of Selena, narrates her side of the story from her prison cell in “Selena & Yolanda: The Secrets Between Them.”
Back in 1995, Saldívar fatally shot the 23-year-old singer at a Days Inn establishment in Corpus Christi following a financial disagreement.
She was subsequently found guilty of first-degree murder and handed a life sentence, with the possibility of parole in 2025.
The two-part series delves into Saldívar’s perspective on the events leading up to Selena’s untimely death.
Saldívar delves into her interactions with Selena, a heated exchange with the Quintanilla family, and the fatal shooting within the hotel room.
Premiering ahead of the 29th anniversary of Selena’s passing and preceding Saldívar’s upcoming parole hearing, the series has sparked intense debate.
Both the Quintanilla family and Selena’s devoted fans have criticized Oxygen for providing Saldívar a platform, with the Quintanilla family distancing themselves from the documentary.
Abraham Quintanilla, Selena’s father and manager, dismissed the docuseries as filled with falsehoods, stating that Saldívar’s narrative lacks credibility.
In the initial episode, Saldívar’s relatives, including her niece Tina, reminisce about the bond between Selena and Saldívar, tracing back to when Saldívar transitioned from a nurse to managing Selena’s fan club and boutiques.
Pushing back against negative media portrayals post-murder, Saldívar’s family members shared their positive memories of Selena and expressed their family’s deep admiration for the late singer.
Saldívar presents her own version of the fateful day of March 9, 1995, when she was confronted by Selena, Suzette (Selena’s sister), and Abraham Quintanilla over missing funds.
She claims that Selena’s demise was a tragic accident and insinuates she held secrets about Selena’s personal life, including an alleged affair unbeknownst to the Quintanilla family.
Additionally, the episode features interviews with key figures involved in Selena’s murder case, such as the hostage negotiator who engaged with Saldívar post-shooting, alongside journalists well-versed in Selena and Hispanic culture.
Wrapping up with insights into Abraham Quintanilla’s influence on Selena’s career, the episode paints a multifaceted picture of the individuals connected to this tragic event.
The second segment of “Selena & Yolanda: The Secrets Between Them” is set to air on Feb. 18 at 7 p.m. on Oxygen.
