Interview with Selena’s friend fellow Tejano singer Shelly Lares 

I’m African American and I love Selena. You can tell she was a beautiful soul. One thing I want to do more than ever is to learn to speak Spanish. I love my Spanish brothers and sisters. I always felt connection to the Latino culture ❤️

My respects to Shelly on keeping selena memories to her self that is what best friends do

Now THIS is a true friend.Not the one who’s in jail!!

She's right about nobody ever coming close to her performance wise and vocal wise the way she danced and sang at the same time her stamina and aura was perfection

100 percent. No one can touch her. Not even with the fancy lights, cgi and back stage dancers….she owned the WHOLE STAGE with just her spirit. She can perform TODAY the same way she did 27 years ago and sweep the floor with all of them.

This lady has a strong sense of integrity that is lacking in so many people today. Props to her!

The fact that Selena managed to bring Tejano music not only to Mexico but to almost all of the Spanish speaking countries is amazing. That to me was a successful cross over

I’m arab and I love Selena. Her kind soul is just so extraordinary, and it’s funny that I wasn’t even born throughout her career. I wish I could’ve met her, because even as a non Latina, her music changed me! Rest easy sel 💜

Shelly was clearly affected by Selena’s passing and still hurts her to this day just by hearing about how she valued their friendship. Their friendship was obviously on a personal level. She’s so cool and down to earth and I can see why her and Selena were best friends. My respects for Shelly.

Shelly Lares and Selena were best friends. Yolanda Saldivar wanted to handle the fan clubs of Shelly Lares and Selena together. Immediately, the father of Shelly Lares said no. He saw something that the Quintanilla family didn't see.

You can tell Shelly don’t take no bullshit, and would beat someone’s face in if they disrespected her or her friends and family. I just get such a humble, real, and loyal vibe from her.

I love how Shelly leaves no room for rumors. She is blunt and the realest. Had I gone to school with Shelly that's the girl who'd have my back even when if I wasn't around.

I bet Shelly would've knocked the hell out of Yolanda if she seen her disrespect Selena in any way.

Shelly is so humble. This is they type of female friend all females deserve. Loyal, loving and trustworthy. All these years later she kept her friendship with Selena safe and special. Shelly is an amazing talent. Selena and Shelly, Elsa Garcia, Elida Reyna, Stephanie Montiel and Laura Canales were and still are the True Tejano female artists for me. When Selena died the female Tejano movement stopped being acknowledged and it's sad because Shelly deserved so much more accolade than she's received in her career. She's a class act like our Queen Selena!

I'm a afro asian woman and I love Selena dearly her music is still like breath of fresh air I will listen to her all day long

Shelly learned how to become street smart because she was exposed to the real world. Selena was never exposed to the real world, like she mentions being "cocooned" which unfortunately led to her being gullible and thinking anyone can be trusted. Even when there were multiple red flags, people warning her about Yolanda, she simply couldn't accept it because she's never been exposed to that. I appreciate this interview because it cleared up a lot of things. I also highly appreciate how Shelly said she doesn't talk so much about Selena because she doesn't want to capitalize on it. That is a true friend and in general that speaks greatly of her character. Thank you for sharing your story Shelly!

Shelly is so nice 😭 you can tell she was such a good friend to Selena ❤️

Greek American girl here and the fact that she won me over back then truly means that she was it! Selena reached all cultures & ages. With that being said , her talent was untouchable and her music will live on for generations to come. 💖🎤🎶

Can we take a minute to appreciate Selena's fashion sense, especially those earrings in 11:37. Those earrings are EVERYTHING! 😍

There are so many awesome qualities about Selena besides her music , dancing , fashion and boutique but she had great personality traits. I can see how these two became friends and this is something I admire about them both is most girls/ young women coming up when they were and they never considered each other competitors. The fact that they had similar lives was the bond they shared and it’s a beautiful sentiment how this woman speaks so highly of Selena and if it was reversed I know Selena would be speaking of her with the same love and respect.

I choked up when she told the story of Selena taking her to the doctors office and just taking complete care of her 😭

I was lucky enough to go to the Selena museum about a month ago. While they had just displayed her lifetime achievement Grammy before it was Evan announced. Out of a group of about 30 me and my husband were the only ones lucky enough to get a pic with Abraham and autographs from Suzette. I think only cuz he seen how excited and lit 🔥 up by seeing all these items of hers I’ve seen on tv my whole life in real life lol. 💫 Selena, Tejano Queen💜

Imagine how beautiful Selena would be if she was here today. 🥺

Who has ever said they need to let her rest? Selena is a legend to the likes of Elvis, MJ, Whitney Houston, her music will continue to live on forever and if she were alive she would be a huge star living. She’s still a living legend in our heart 💜 an angel of music

I got to meet Shelly backstage briefly at at the Tejano Festival in Vegas. She is such an elegant and beautiful soul.

I met Shelly at Tejano Jam South Padre Island she was a very nice person and was eager to engage with her fans. Thank you for the beautiful interview. You gave Selena the respect and dignity that she deserves.

When she said artist like “Pitbull should be there that’s that what she deserves” that just shows how good of a friend she was and still is to Selena

Shelly thank you for sharing. The one memory that u shared truly touched my soul. When u said during one of ur spring breaks spent at Selenas you were sick with tonsillitis and Selena took u to the doctor and picked up ur meds and while u were resting Selena was coming up with a tray the had ur meds, soup, crackers & truly it touched my heart. Because even though we didn't know Selena on a personal level, we found out Selena tried to do the same with her murderer who's name I refuse to say, and look at what that animal did to her. That truly broke my heart. Selena took her to the hospital, caring for her. Bringing her back to the hotel after finding out she had lied to Selena and walking her back to the hotel. I just wish we could turn back time. If Selena could have called that lady a taxi from the hospital back to the hotel & called her dad and told him she has lied and she needs him to come and speak with that murderer, things would be so different right now and we would still have Selena. Thank you sweetie for sharing. Through ur words we can see Selena on a personal level. Aduos y besitos 💓

I will always understand why Sel and Shelly ARE best friends and why they hit it off right away she reflects Selena bright personality I love it

Wow I’m loving all these positive comments! Shelly seems like an amazing friend I love how she has never tried to gain clout off of Selena ♥️

I wish Shelly would write her own book or collaborate with Chris and come out with their own Series about Selena and the early days of the Tejano movement. That would be awesome.

Thank you For saying “it’s our culture” Tejano is a different culture

I love this❤️❤️ I’m 23 years old from Canada, I don’t speak Spanish but as soon as I learned about her I just loved her. She was a beautiful person inside and out. ❤️❤️❤️

I really enjoy listening to this interview, I respect the privacy regarding Selena. Thank you Shelly

I absolutely love how honest she is about what she experienced. Also, I 'm a Chicana and I was never taught Spanish by my family. I want to learn on my own though, but I'm also a 70's child and I think that was the norm in our generation.

I am Haïtian...amd l love Selena so much...

I agree with Shelly 100% when she says that no artist can touch her till this day. Done and done!

That’s a true friend, keep your treasured memories to yourself, share only what you want, love you

Shelly Lares, Pete Astudillo, Martin Gomez and Ricky Vela have been the best friends to Selena in death... they are so respectful of Selena and more importantly her family while others try and tear them down.. God bless them Shelly is the queen of tejano country

I wasn't a huge Selena fan when I met her in the 90's. I was working as a busgirl at a boogie restaurant in San Antonio. She came in wearing this yellow pantsuit, hair pulled back in a low bun. Her presence was invigorating. My boyfriend mentioned having a crush on her so I asked for an autograph. She was so sweet and personable. Shelly is right, you could just feel her vibe. RIP Selena Q. Perez- a stolen soul forever.

I love this woman and her aura. How am I just finding out about her now?

Alot of people can't understand that people grow up speaking English but sing in Spanish it's hard to deal with but hands down will always love tejano music forever

Awesome interview! I met Shelly Lares back in the late 90's. in Lubbock at Club Rio. I actually met her as I was always simply wanting to meet the singers that I saw and shake hands as opposed to getting an autograph. I never had to prove that I met them as long as I knew that I did meet them and talk to them. That always meant a lot to me. This is an awesome video. Shelly is so down to earth.

Thank you Shelly!! Thank you for keeping it real and keeping it classy. Thank you for sharing about yourself and sharing about Selena. People like you are what the world needs. Dios te bendiga today and always ❤

Wow Selena best friend 😍❤is lovely vivacious and warm engaging I see why they became best friends ❤💖 The love and caring in her voice for her lovely friend comes through!!

Agreed Shelly, there will NEVER be anyone who can touch Selena's talent or inner and outer beauty

respect to Shelly Lares for talking so respectfully and heartfelt about Selena, they are both great individuals, hope their souls meet again some day.

THIS WAS AN AWESOME INTERVIEW SHELLY. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR DREAMS OF MAKING MORE TEJANO MUSIC AND PAVING THE WAY FOR FUTURE TRJANO ARTISTS. SELENA WOULD BE PROUD OF YOU. ❤️

Shelly is the REAL DEAL..the most straight up person that you will ever meet..I toured with Las Tres Diva's..there was no jealousy going on with Shelly..she was the Core of that Tour..

Shelly, thank you so much for doing this interview! We love you, also! You’re an amazing Queen and you’re looking damn good!

Shelly Lares you have my respect. Q bonita entrevista. Even if she keeps a lot to herself it feels more real than what the family actually shares. What they share seems too be controlled where she seems real and transparent. Thanks Shelly from a 90s fan of you both.

Shelly you are a true Texan, beautiful person. Us Texans are the friendliest, humble, down to earth people with strong faith and family connection. Texans can talk to a stranger like if they were friends for a long time. It’s just that way here in Texas, the friendly state.

They CAN'T touch her like she said. Salute to Shelly.

Brilliance, Class, Elegance, and Beauty. Way to go Shelly.

Idk why but I love Shelly's laugh I can picture her and Selena just laughing and having fun what beautiful memories she must have, and there's nothing wrong with keeping them to yourself that's how you remember them and that's how you want to keep them in your heart. ❤️✨

she is proof that selena would still look so young at that age!

She’s such a good friend to Selena! Everyone needs friend like this

Obviously I clicked here because it says Selena, but I like this interview. The interviewer respected this artist by helping us know more about her , not only interviewing her to know more about Selena. So kudos to you . This is what other journalists and reporters need to do . I didn't know anything about Shelly until now .

I never heard of shelly. Since one month I just listen to Selena and I really wish she would be out here and deserve the best of the best. She would be someone I would do everything to get to listen to her. I would even buy a ticket to America or Mexico so that I can see her live! No one ever could do that. And I am from Swiss. I don’t even know the language Spanish but for all Selena songs I search the translation and all just to understand what she wanna tell trough her songs. I sing to her, laugh and cry and DANCE! She is so special and I’m really sad that this Girl what I don’t even wanna write the name did that Selena is not with us anymore. And Shelly, thank you! Everyone needs a friend like you. I hope one day we’re all able to dance at a concert of Selena in Heaven and be happy! ❤️❤️

These long format News4 interviews with those close to Selena are amazing. We want more!! ♥️

It’s so nice to hear Shelly! She is a legend in her own right!! & the memories she shares are so beautiful to hear, I know they don’t understand us as fans!! But the music is with us forever!! It’s funny how they are so humble!!! They don’t realize how amazing it is for musicians to share their talent with us!!! Thank you Shelly!!! Thank you for sharing your fotos y recuerdos!!!

We love Shelly! God bless your heart. Selena is proud of you ❤️

The way she tries to hold back on tears just made me so sad 🥺🥺 I love her so much! Her talking about the tejano life reminds me of my dad. I completely understand the views of only speaking english. My dad was from juarez but moved to texas at a young age, and there was a lot of racist people so they had to speak english. My dad’s side have a texas accent & they love country so much lol. My family loved selena’s music & im exactly the way that shelly is. I keep my memories with people or even animals to myself. I block a lot of the sadness from what i felt & dont like to talk about them cuz ik i will go back to that moment of sadness that i felt. Its the way that i cope with grief

Shelly you are a true gem thank you for being you!! Your such an amazing woman thank you for doing this interview & for your honesty and loyalty to Sel. Would love to meet you one day, your a diamond girl!! 💋 Tt

Great interview and wow this is the first time I heard about these wonderful person/friend of Selena. Talk about respecting a friendship.

Thank you for this I really love Selena

She’s so beautiful and together and appears 100 loyal. Loyalty is everything

Thank you for your interview Shelly!! You are awesome! Thanks for giving what you want as far as Selena memories! 🙏🏽❤️

I am a non-Hispanic Selena lover. I don’t understand all the lyrics but I love her musica! Shelly, you’re one in a million. The women of the world all need friends like you.

Thank you SHELLY FOR BEING HONEST AND KEEP THE FOND MEMORIES DEEP ON YOUR HEART. I WISH YOU THE VERY BEST. SELENA IS LOOKING DOWN SMILING. THANK YOU AGAIN. GREAT INTERVIEW....

Aww Shelly, thank you for sharing that special memory.. 🤗

She’s a whole San Anto girl ❤️, thinking about how she says she misses her friends makes me think about how I’d feel if that were my friend

I’m 68 years old and Selena’s music still inspires me even the songs that I don’t understand a word she is singing.

Wow. I always wondered if she had friends, and look.... she did have 1 best friend, who throughout the years that had passed, still loves her and have her back!🥰❤❤

Bless her & I totally feel her. Much respect & love to Shelly. #RIP #Selena ♥️♥️♥️♥️

Shelly is a Legend. I liked her since I was 11 yrs old. I loved her music 🎶 and still do . Shelly is her own person and unique very talented as we can see . Got to love her . #Shellylaresfan

Her hair, make up and jacket look awesome on her!

Excellent interview!! Love how honest, raw, and sincere Shelly is. Mad respect to her for standing her ground, wish her continued her success.

You are so right Shelly! Selene will always be one of a kind artist.

What a sweet lady!! Much respect! 🙏🙏🙏💜💜💜💜

So awesome to keep the memory going..I love shelly she was one of my favs growing up..🙏☝💝😘

Such a loyal friend to Selena. As long as we know God one day you’ll see her again. God promises that. We loved Selena cause we all wished people were kind like her today. The world needs love and joy like Selena.

Love you Shelly... as a person and a wonderful musician! Tejano music will always live. But radio stations and DJ's do need to play more current "new" hits and artists. We can't always listen to the same ole. Thanks for sharing🥰

Shelly, you are an amazing woman, such an inspiration. You go girl!!

Much Respect to selena long term this is her real friendship i love the respect that that she has for they're friendship sending a lot of love always 💜🌹😍

I respect her for keeping memories of her and Selena to herself. We live in a world where people will write books to capitalize on someone’s fame. She could easily do that and the book would be sold so fast! I respect she doesn’t want to capitalize on her memories with Selena

The quote she is talking about from his book says, “She was just nominated for the 1988 Tejano female vocalist of the year, Shelly told me with a trace of envy”

Good interview give us more Selena 💫 share I think that’s what Selena would have wanted 💜

OMG.. 14:00 mins in is 100% ME!! I'M a 48 year old single mother and have her about Selena my whole life but up until this point I never really cared until like a couple of weeks ago something caught my attention and I read something about her or seen a video (keep in mind I have never seen any of the movies made about her either, really don't care to.. YET) But the more I learn the more I want to know and I love listening to her sing even though I have no idea what she's saying it's just the way it comes out of her voice in the way she expresses herself when she sees that blows me away! Just like her friend Shelly says she's one of a kind and there WILL NEVER be ANOTHER SELENA 💯

What a class act Shelly is. She was a true friend to Selena - she would never betray her. I'm glad she was Selena's true friend.

I adore Shelley and this was a very classy interview, but I have to say that I think it is only natural to have jealous thoughts when you see your friend do so well and you were in competition together. Shelly was winning Tejano music awards, and then Selena blew up and Shelly kind of was in the background. So if she was a tiny bit jealous it is natural. I think you can love someone and have a human reaction.

So much respect for Shelly. She makes great music as well ♥️♥️♥️ Tu Solo Tu and Dame are my favorite songs by her

I agree they could do any type of music! 🙏🏽💃🏽👍🏽 I certainly enjoyed listening as an black women of the same age group as Selena and Shelly.

Now that is a good friend boys and girls. Not too many people like her exist nowadays.

Shelly , I’m Glad YOURE doing well , you so beautiful!!

NOTHING BUT RESPECT TO SHELLY

Right Shelly no one can come close or even touch her. Never be another.

Awesome interview. And you are awesome Shelly!!

Raised on Tejano and true it’s so diverse but love Tejano !!!!! You are lovely and so respectful...

I have a lot of respect for Shelly. Love her music always good vibes.