Selena was Dominicana.
Selena Quintanilla-Pérez ( [ seˈlena kintaˈniʝa ˈpeɾes ] or [ seˈlena kintaˈniʎa ˈpeɾeθ ] April 16 , 1971 -- March 31 , 1995 ) was an American singer , songwriter , spokesperson , model , actress , and fashion designer .