Suzette Quintanilla
Suzette Michele Quintanilla-Arriaga (born June 29, 1967) is an American business executive who is the current chief executive officer of Q-Productions. Suzette began her musical career as the drummer for Selena y Los Dinos, a Tejano band that featured her elder brother, A.B. Quintanilla, on bass guitar and her younger sister, Selena, as the lead vocalist. In 1989, the group secured a recording contract with EMI Latin. Following a series of critically acclaimed and commercially successful albums, the label strategized a crossover for Selena into the mainstream English-language pop market. After Selena's death on March 31, 1995, Suzette retired from performing and devoted herself to safeguarding and promoting Selena's image through a variety of initiatives in collaboration with her family. She oversaw operations at the Selena Etc. boutiques, later expanding the brand's presence into major department stores, before the boutiques' closure in 2009.
Suzette was appointed chief executive of Q-Productions in May 2016, after her father, Abraham Quintanilla stepped down. She oversees the label's operations, manages the Selena Museum, and directs licensing initiatives for Selena-related ventures. Under her leadership, Selena-themed graphic T-shirt collections were introduced into major retail outlets such as Forever 21, Hot Topic, Target, and Urban Outfitters. Her collaboration with MAC Cosmetics on a Selena-inspired makeup collection marked the most significant product launch in the brand's history, becoming one of its most sought-after and critically acclaimed releases. Suzette served as executive producer of Selena: The Series (2020–21) on Netflix, which ranked among the platform's most-streamed TV series across the United States, Mexico, and regions of Central and South America. Suzette's involvement in these projects, along with the creation of a Selena wax figure for Madame Tussauds Hollywood, has contributed to maintaining and increasing Selena's visibility in popular culture.
Suzette remains active in the music industry, having managed and promoted artists such as Jennifer Peña, Isabel Marie, and Los Tres Reyes. She served as executive producer for the spoken liner notes included in the 2002 reissues of Selena's albums, including on Momentos Intimos (2004), acted as a consultant for La Leyenda (2010), and contributed to the visual design and artistic direction of Moonchild Mixes (2022). The Quintanilla family has been subjected to public censure by some fans and journalists who have articulated reservations about the commodification of Selena's image, particularly concerning her posthumous releases.
Since its inception in September 1995, Suzette has served as a board member of the Selena Foundation, a nonprofit organization that allocates financial support to students, initiatives aimed at encouraging school retention programs, and has donated over $100,000 to hospitals, schools, food banks, shelters, and other philanthropic causes. Suzette has advocated for the importance of education by addressing student audiences and has participated as a keynote speaker at fashion events and mother-daughter workshops. Through various forms of media engagement, she has promoted awareness among young girls on nutrition, physical activity, and mental wellness.
Similar Artists