Jennifer Lopez surprised fans by reuniting with one of her Selena co-stars on the day of the late singer’s real-life killer’s shock parole decision.
Lopez was catapulted to superstardom back in 1997 for her portrayal of Selena Quintanilla-Pérez — the ‘Queen of Tejano Music’ — in the acclaimed biopic, which depicted her tragic death.
Selena was shot and killed at the height of her music career by disgruntled ‘superfan’ Yolanda Saldívar outside a Texas motel on March 31, 1995. Selena was just 23.
After serving three decades in prison for murder, Saldívar, now 64, became eligible for parole this year.
And on Thursday, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles announced that Saldívar had been denied parole — spawning an emotional reaction from Selena’s family.
Hours before the decision went public, Lopez, 55, coincidentally reunited with Edward James Olmos, 78, who played Selena’s father Abraham in the iconic 1997 film.
Jennifer Lopez surprised fans by reuniting with one of her Selena co-stars on the day of the late singer’s real-life killer’s shock parole decision; Lopez seen in January
Hours before the decision went public, Lopez coincidentally reunited with Edward James Olmos, who played Selena’s father Abraham Quintanilla in the iconic 1997 film (pictured together)
They recreated a memorable image from the movie of Lopez’s Selena wrapping her arms around Olmos’ Abraham as he posed stoically in front of a colorful mural.
Lopez uploaded the recreation to Instagram and announced that she and Olmos would be sharing the screen again for the first time in 28 years.
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She confirmed that Olmos had been added to the cast of her upcoming Netflix rom-com Office Romance.
The film, helmed by Ticket To Paradise director Ol Parker, also stars Ted Lasso’s Brett Goldstein and Glow’s Betty Gilpin.
While little is known about the plot, shooting for Office Romance began earlier this month in New Jersey.
‘From ‘Selena’ to now, this journey has come full circle…SWIPE to see the big news,’ Lopez began in the caption of her IG post.
‘We’re thrilled to welcome the incredible Edward James Olmos to ‘Office Romance’!’
A version of Lopez’s announcement in Spanish was also included in the post.
While Lopez has yet to react to Saldívar being denied parole, Selena’s family announced they were ‘grateful’ for the decision in a length Instagram statement.
Saldívar will not be eligible again for parole until March 2030.
The co-stars reunited to announce that Olmos had joined the cast of Lopez’s upcoming Netflix rom-com Office Romance
Lopez was catapulted to superstardom back in 1997 for her portrayal of Selena Quintanilla-Pérez — the ‘Queen of Tejano Music’ — in the acclaimed biopic, which depicted her tragic death. Selena was shot and killed at the height of her music career by disgruntled ‘superfan’ Yolanda Saldívar outside a Texas motel on March 31, 1995. Selena was just 23
Selena’s killer Yolanda (pictured) was eligible for parole for the first time this year after her 1995 sentencing to life in prison for murdering Selena, but the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles announced Thursday it was denying her parole
‘Today, we are grateful that the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles has chosen to deny parole for Yolanda Saldívar,’ wrote Selena’s family members and her husband, Chris Pérez, in a joint statement. ‘While nothing can bring Selena back, this decision reaffirms that justice continues to stand for the beautiful life that was taken from us and from millions of fans around the world far too soon.’
‘Selena’s legacy is one of love, music, and inspiration. She lived with joy, gave selflessly, and continues to uplift generations with her voice and her spirit,’ they continued.
‘As her family and loved ones, we remain committed to preserving her memory and ensuring that her story is honored with the dignity and respect it deserves.
‘We thank Selena’s fans for their unwavering support throughout the years. Your love has been a source of strength and healing,’ her family added. ‘We will continue to celebrate Selena’s life — not the tragedy that took her from us — and we ask that all who cherish her do the same.’
A version of the somber statement in Spanish was also included in their post.
In a statement announcing its decision to deny Saldívar parole, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles outlined its reasoning for the move: ‘The record indicates that the instant offense has elements of brutality, violence, assaultive behavior or conscious selection of victim’s vulnerability indicating a conscious disregard for the lives, safety, or property of others, such that the offender poses a continuing threat to public safety.’
Saldívar is currently serving her sentence at the Patrick L. O’Daniel Unit for female offenders in Gatesville, Texas.
Prior to murdering the Queen of Tejano, Saldívar had served as the president of Selena’s fan club, as well as the manager of her Selena Etc. boutiques.
While Lopez has yet to react to Saldívar being denied parole, Selena’s family announced they were ‘grateful’ for the decision in a length Instagram statement; Selena pictured
But the woman, who was originally trained as a nurse and was reportedly ‘obsessed’ with Selena, developed a reputation for firing boutique employees due to her personal animosity, and employees began complaining about her bizarre behavior to Selena and her family members by 1994.
Then, in early 1995, Selena’s father Abraham Quintanilla Jr. began hearing from fans who claimed to have paid for fan club memberships despite never receiving anything in return.
Quintanilla Jr. and his daughter soon determined that Saldívar had embezzled around $30,000, both from the boutiques and the fan club, which had grown to have over 5,000 members by then.
Early in March of 1995, Saldívar was removed from her position leading Selena’s fan club, and she was fired as the manager of her boutiques over the embezzlement.
But the former manager had kept many of the records and tax documents for the boutiques and fan club that the singer and her family needed to pick up the pieces.
As Selena tried to plan a time to retrieve the documents, Saldívar delayed by concocting a story about allegedly being physically and sexually assaulted on a trip to Mexico.
On the morning of March 31, 1995, Selena accompanied her former employee to a clinic for her to be assessed after the alleged assault, though no gynecological exam was performed that could have determined if she had been raped.
Shortly before noon that day, the two arrived at a Days Inn motel in Corpus Christi, where Saldívar allegedly had the financial papers.
But once they arrived, she pointed a hand gun at Selena and shot her in the lower right shoulder as the singer tried to run away.
The gunshot wound severed an artery, but despite her dire condition, Selena managed to run to the lobby before collapsing, all while her shooter chased after her, shouting ‘b****.’
Before passing out, the singer was allegedly able to identify Saldívar as her assailant.
Despite her nursing training, Saldívar made no efforts to stop the serious blood flow, and instead she tried to drive away.
Police responding to the 911 call spotted Saldívar and stopped her, but they and FBI agents who subsequently joined them were stuck in a standoff with her for over nine hours before she finally surrendered.
Selena was already one of the most popular Mexican–American singers of all time before her death, and her statue in Latin and Tejano music only increased afterward; Selena seen in January 1995
Although an ambulance got Selena to a hospital in Corpus Christi less than 20 minutes after she was shot, doctors were unable to revive her due to her massive blood loss. She was pronounced dead just over an hour later.
Selena was already one of the most popular Mexican–American singers of all time before her death, and her statue in Latin and Tejano music only increased afterward.
An album, Dreaming Of You, was released posthumously in July of 1995 and debuted at the top of the Billboard 200 albums chart, a first for a Latin recording artist.
In 1997, the biopic Selena was released, which further cemented the late singer’s music as a cultural force, while also giving Jennifer Lopez her breakout performance as the title star.