Suzette Quintanilla

Suzette Michele Quintanilla-Arriaga (born June 29, 1967) is an American business executive who is the chief executive officer of Q-Productions. Quintanilla began her musical career as the drummer for Selena y Los Dinos, a Tejano band with her elder brother, A.B. Quintanilla, on bass guitar and her younger sister, Selena, as lead vocalist. In 1989, the group secured a recording contract with EMI Latin. After a series of critically-praised and commercially-successful albums, Selena crossed over into the English-language pop market. She was murdered on March 31, 1995; Suzette retired from performing and focused on safeguarding Selena's image with her family. Quintanilla oversaw operations at the Selena Etc. boutiques and expanding the brand in department stores before the boutiques closed in 2009.

She became chief executive of Q-Productions in May 2016 after her father, Abraham Quintanilla, stepped down. Quintanilla manages the Selena Museum and directs licensing for Selena-related ventures. Selena-themed T-shirts were introduced in retail outlets such as Forever 21, Hot Topic, Target and Urban Outfitters, and Quintanilla collaborated with MAC Cosmetics on a Selena-inspired makeup collection. She was executive producer of Selena: The Series (2020–21) on Netflix, one of the platform's most-streamed TV series in the United States, Mexico, and parts of Central and South America. Quintanilla's involvement with a Selena wax figure in Madame Tussauds Hollywood has also maintained Selena's visibility in popular culture.

She remains active in the music industry, managing and promoting artists such as Jennifer Peña, Isabel Marie, and Los Tres Reyes. Quintanilla was executive producer of the spoken liner notes for the 2002 reissues of Selena's albums and Momentos Intimos (2004), was a consultant for La Leyenda (2010), and contributed to the design and direction of Moonchild Mixes (2022). The Quintanilla family has been criticized by some fans and journalists for the commodification of Selena's image, particularly her posthumous releases.

Quintanilla has been on the board of the Selena Foundation, a nonprofit organization which supports students, school-retention programs and has donated over $100,000 to hospitals, schools, food banks, shelters, and other causes since it began in September 1995. She has addressed student audiences and been a keynote speaker at fashion events and mother-daughter workshops. Quintanilla has promoted awareness among young girls of nutrition, physical activity, and mental health.

Life and career

1968-1982: Early life and music career

Suzette Michelle Quintanilla was born on June 29, 1967, in Corpus Christi, Texas, to Abraham Quintanilla, a former Army musician and vocalist for the Chicano band Los Dinos, and Marcella Quintanilla (née Samora). She was the second of three children; her older brother, A.B. Quintanilla, was born in 1963 and her younger sister, Selena Quintanilla, was born in 1971. When Suzette was born, Abraham was active with Los Dinos (whose album, Los Dinos a Go Go, was released by Bernal Records the following year. Los Dinos' popularity waned, prompting Abraham to prioritize economic stability over music. After several unsuccessful investments, he moved his family to Lake Jackson, Texas. Abraham adopted a more conventional lifestyle, singing in his spare time. He began teaching A.B. bass guitar, prompting Selena to sing. After realizing that Selena could sing, Abraham recalled, "I saw the continuation of my dreams."

He formed a band consisting of two of his children (A.B. on bass and Selena as lead vocalist) and a visiting cousin from Arizona on drums. When the cousin's father demanded his return, Suzette became the drummer. She was uncomfortable with drumming, considering it a traditionally-masculine role Selena persuaded Suzette to remain in the band, and helped her overcome her shyness. The drum set Suzette inherited from her cousin, who was right-handed, required her to learn to play with a configuration opposite from her dominant hand. She was taught by Abraham, A.B., and her cousin before his departure. Suzette struggled with confidence at first, noting that Selena and A.B. had intuitive ears but music was not as easy for her. With years of practice, her musicianship improved. Initially unenthusiastic, Abraham's children participated regularly in rehearsals and performances. Suzette was not secretive about her dislike for drumming. Abraham entertained relatives with the band, and the children eventually learned to enjoy playing.