Suzette Quintanilla

Suzette Quintanilla is an American musician, producer, and business executive recognized for her role as the drummer for the Tejano family band Selena y Los Dinos. Quintanilla began her musical career as the drummer for Selena y Los Dinos, a Tejano band that included her brother, A.B. Quintanilla, on bass guitar and her sister, Selena, as the lead vocalist. The group secured a recording contract with EMI Latin, and after a series of critically acclaimed and commercially successful albums, the label developed a strategy for Selena to cross over into the mainstream English-language pop market. Quintanilla and the surviving members of Selena y Los Dinos performed at a tribute concert that became the highest-rated Spanish-language TV special of its time.

After Selena's death, Quintanilla retired from performing and focused on safeguarding and promoting Selena's image through various initiatives in collaboration with her family. She has spoken about how the loss of her sister permanently changed her life, both professionally and personally, stating that she no longer plays drums. Quintanilla managed operations at the Selena Etc. boutiques and later expanded the brand's presence into major department stores before the boutiques closed.

Quintanilla was appointed chief executive of Q-Productions 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 a significant product launch for the brand, becoming one of its most sought-after and critically acclaimed releases. As CEO, Quintanilla remains actively involved in the music industry, guiding the record label's mission to promote Tejano artists.

Quintanilla served as executive producer of "Selena: The Series" on Netflix, which ranked among the platform's most-streamed TV series in the United States, Mexico, and regions of Central and South America. The Quintanilla family previously announced the development of a biographical film directed by Gregory Nava; the resulting Warner Bros. production, "Selena," featured Jennifer Lopez in the title role, an appearance that launched her career. Quintanilla also served as executive producer for the spoken liner notes included in the reissues of Selena's albums, including "Momentos Intimos," acted as a consultant for "La Leyenda," and contributed to the visual design and artistic direction of "Moonchild Mixes."

Quintanilla is executive producer of a documentary chronicling the journey of Selena y Los Dinos, set to premiere on Netflix. Since its inception, she 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 more than $100,000 to hospitals, schools, food banks, shelters, and other philanthropic causes. Through her work as a business leader, producer, and cultural steward, Quintanilla has contributed to the enduring legacy of Selena and the continued influence of Tejano music and Latin pop culture.