𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝑨𝒓𝒆 𝑨𝒍𝒍 𝑰 𝑾𝒂𝒏𝒕 (𝑺𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒂 𝒙 𝑶𝑪)

Chapter: 32

Selena had always felt that her voice was something special. Sometimes, she wondered if it was a gift bestowed by God or a talent that had simply blossomed within her from the moment she was born. Perhaps it was a bit of both. Either way, Selena, the Queen of Tejano music, was endlessly grateful for her gift.

Artists from every corner of the industry would often come to her, marveling at her voice, each one asking in awe, "How do you do it?" They sought advice on how to sing with the same authenticity that defined her. She was unique-singing to a crowd of thousands, yet somehow making each person feel as though she was singing directly to them.

Selena felt a sense of pride at each kind word from her fans, fellow artists, and aspiring singers. She cherished these moments, though she couldn't help but chuckle whenever someone asked if she'd taken any formal singing lessons. She'd smile and reply, "No, I've never taken a class." It was true: Selena had never stepped foot in a singing class.

But where did her love for singing truly begin? The story surprised many when she shared it.

It all started when she was just eight. She would watch her father teach her brother, A.B., how to play the bass-a gift that had been given to him by a friend. Young Selena felt a pang of jealousy; she wanted her father's attention, too. One day, determined to be noticed, she grabbed a songbook from the shelf, full of hits from the '50s and '60s, and started singing.

She didn't just sing; she poured her own melody into the lyrics, hoping her voice would reach her father. And it did. Abraham noticed and began teaching her, sharing advice and techniques. Selena soaked it up eagerly, learning faster than anyone expected.

When she later told her peers this story, they often looked at her with amused disbelief. She laughed right along with them. Her entire career, her passion for singing, had all started because of a moment of childhood jealousy.

Comical, yes, but also a testament to the power of that first spark, the love that never left her heart.

And now she is able to share her gift through her band - most importantly - her family.

For Selena, it wasn’t just her dream—it was theirs. Every success, every milestone she reached in her career was a shared triumph with Selena y Los Dinos. She had said it before, and she would say it a thousand times more: she owed so much of her journey to the people who stood beside her, and her gratitude was eternal. Without their unwavering support and determination, none of it would have been possible.

As she reflected on how far they had come, it still felt surreal. To see her childhood dream of singing transform into a thriving career, to feel herself inching closer to her ultimate goal of creating an English album—it was almost too much to process. That album wasn’t just her goal; it was their goal. It was the target they all aimed for together, and Selena knew she couldn’t have gotten this far alone.

Selena’s fame was inseparable from Los Dinos’ success. They were the masterminds behind the music, the foundation upon which she built her career. Each member brought their own unique brilliance: her mother, Marcella, though not a musician, was the emotional anchor, always providing unconditional love and support. Her father, Abraham, was the head of the band, the visionary who started it all. He managed their shows and pushed them forward with his unyielding drive.

But Abraham was also her greatest challenge. As much as she loved him, their relationship was often a tug-of-war between her growing independence and his determination to guide every aspect of her career. He was the force that propelled the band, but also the obstacle she sometimes had to navigate around. Still, Selena knew that without him, none of this would exist.

Despite the hurdles, Selena wouldn’t trade any of it. Her family, her band, her dreams—they were all intertwined, each one shaping the journey she was on. It was their journey, and every step forward was a testament to their unbreakable bond.