She has been vocal about the connection she shares with late singer Selena Quintanilla, both being proud Texas-born Mexican Americans, who dared to dream of a career in show business. And Eva Longoria broke down in tears as she paid tribute to the murdered singer when she was posthumously awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday.
The 42-year-old former Desperate Housewives star was visibly emotional as she wiped tears from her eyes before breaking down as she listened to the speeches at the event.
Reflecting on how much of an inspiration the slain singer, who died aged 23, had been to her, Eva credited Selena for giving her the courage to pursue her dreams of acting.
She said: ‘It’s beyond humbling to stand here on behalf of a person that I myself owe so much to. This star is for every Latina who has ever had a dream. Growing up there was no reflection of me anywhere . . .
‘It was as if someone like me didn’t exist in American mainstream and that all changed when a bright young singer named Selena changed the landscape of music entertainment, inevitably changing my own journey.’ Holding back tears she said: ‘She was the face I finally saw that looked like mine. She validated my existence and she validated to the world that we existed. Us, Mexican-Americans.’
The Telenovela star looked sensational for the ceremony, showing off her pert posterior in a stylish black leather skirt that featured a racy lace hem which draped over her knees. On top the brunette beauty opted for a white shirt with puffy sleeves and a pleated collar.
She added height to her petite frame with simple black strappy stilettos which completed her chic ensemble. Her brunette locks were parted in the middle and cascaded down past her shoulders in loose waves.
Subtle blush, dark eye make-up and crimson lipstick ensured the Hollywood veteran was ready for her time in front of the cameras. Like Eva, Selena, who was tragically murdered in 1995, was also from Corpus Christi, Texas.
Eva also took the opportunity to playfully pose with a wax statue of the Queen of Tejano as Selena is known. Selena’s sister Suzette, who attended with mother Marcella aid: ‘It’s like Selena said, ‘The goal isn’t to live forever but to create something that will,’ and I think tonight is a perfect testament of that.
Known as the ‘Tejano Madonna’ Selena rose to fame in the 1980s and became known for songs including Bidi, Bidi Bom Bom, Dreaming of You, No Me Queda Mas, Amor Prohibido and Como La Flor. She was about to debut her hotly anticipated crossover album Dreaming of You when she was shot and killed by the founder of her fan club Yolanda Saldivar. Yolanda, who said she had accidentally shot Selena when she was attempting to commit suicide, was sentenced to life imprisonment.
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