If you’ve ever scrolled through a pop star's Instagram and seen a purple sequined jumpsuit, you already know the vibe. Selena Quintanilla didn't just sing; she basically created the blueprint for what it means to be a "crossover" star in America. And honestly? Nobody gets that more than Demi Lovato.
It’s easy to think of these two as belonging to totally different eras. One was the Queen of Tejano who left us way too soon in 1995. The other is a modern pop powerhouse who’s survived everything the industry could throw at her. But look closer. The connection isn't just about music—it's about the struggle of being "not Mexican enough" for some and "not American enough" for others.
The "Anything for Selenas" Energy is Real
Back in 2017, Demi broke the internet a little bit when she dressed up as Selena for Halloween. It wasn't just a cheap costume. She wore the iconic purple jumpsuit from the Houston Astrodome concert, bangs and all. People were shocked by how much they looked alike. But for Demi, it went deeper than a look.
Demi has Mexican roots on her father’s side. Like Selena, she grew up in Texas. That shared "Tejana" energy is a real thing. It’s a specific kind of pride. You’ve probably seen the TikToks where Demi uses the "Selena Tribute" filter, rocking the signature red lip and captioning it "ANYTHING FOR SELENASSSSSS." It’s a joke from the movie, sure, but it’s also a nod to a woman who made it okay for girls like Demi to exist in the mainstream.
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Learning the Hard Way
Selena had to learn Spanish phonetically at first. Her dad, Abraham, pushed her into it even though she grew up speaking English. Demi has lived a similar story. She’s recorded in Spanish—think "Échame la Culpa" with Luis Fonsi or her recent track "Chula" with Grupo Firme—but she’s been open about the fact that she isn't perfectly fluent.
Seeing Selena struggle with her Spanish in old interviews and still be embraced by Mexico gave a lot of artists, including Demi, the courage to claim their heritage without feeling like "imposters."
Pizza, Pop Stars, and Radical Honesty
Here is a weirdly specific thing Demi once shared that actually explains a lot. She posted about a scene in the Selena movie where Jennifer Lopez (playing Selena) is eating pizza.
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For most people, that’s just a scene. For Demi, who has fought a public battle with eating disorders for years, it was a revelation. She said it taught her at a young age that it was "okay to eat pizza as a pop star." It sounds tiny, right? It isn't. Selena represented a version of a star who was "real." She laughed loudly, she ate what she wanted, and she was obsessed with her family.
- Selena lived her truth daily.
- She didn't care about the "polished" industry standards of the 90s.
- Family was her backbone, just like Demi’s "Lovatics" and inner circle are hers.
Demi has spent the last few years stripping away the "Disney" veneer. She’s gone from pop-princess to rock-edged truth-teller. In a way, she’s following the Selena path of refusing to be a manufactured product.
The Crossover That Never Ended
When Selena died, she was on the verge of releasing her first full English album, Dreaming of You. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. It proved that a Latina artist could dominate the English market without losing her soul.
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Demi Lovato is living in the world Selena built. When Demi performs at the Houston Rodeo—the same dirt Selena stood on—the weight of that history is there. Selena broke the "Tejano" glass ceiling, which was a total boys' club at the time. Demi has spent her career breaking the "mental health" glass ceiling, talking about things stars used to hide.
Both women represent a type of resilience that fans cling to. We don't just love them for the high notes. We love them because they feel like they’re "of the people."
Why This Still Matters in 2026
You might wonder why we’re still talking about a singer who passed away over thirty years ago. It’s because the "Bidi Bidi Bom Bom" magic hasn't faded. Every time Demi Lovato hits a stage and embraces her bicultural identity, she’s carrying a torch that Selena lit.
How to Channel That "Selena x Demi" Confidence
If you're looking to take a page out of their book, it isn't about buying a jumpsuit. It's about a few specific mindset shifts:
- Own your "In-Between": If you're "too this" for one group and "too that" for another, make that your superpower. Selena did it with language; Demi does it with genre.
- Values over Vibes: Selena prioritized family and music. Demi has pivoted back to her rock roots because it feels "right," even if it isn't what's "trending."
- Relatability is King: Don't be afraid to show the "pizza eating" side of your life. Perfection is boring. People connect with the struggle and the joy, not the filter.
Next time you hear a Demi Lovato track on the radio, listen for those powerhouse vocals. That's the sound of a woman who knows exactly who she is, standing on the shoulders of a legend who taught her it was okay to be herself.