On the verge of being launched as the next Latina crossover singer, Selena Quintanilla Perez was murdered. Her death drew national coverage which served to bring a mourning Hispanic community to the attention of the entire nation. Perhaps the most fitting honor to Selena was written by Catherine Vasquez- Rivilla in Hispanic Magazine: “For Mexican-Americans, Selena’s success became their success. She inspired confidence and ethnic pride. The stage lights that shone on her also reached across to include Mexican-Americans by highlighting their language, music and culture. Her greatest gift was that her talent, beauty and success empowered all Hispanics.”.