I’m having a hard time putting into words how disappointed and disgusted I am after hearing the news that the stars honoring Jenni Rivera and Selena Quintanilla on the Hollywood Walk of Fame were vandalized. It feels less than coincidental that the stars honoring La Diva de la Banda and the Queen of Tejano music were targeted. Both women are Mexican American legends that proudly celebrated their culture and did so much to popularize Latin music throughout the world.
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Another thing Jenni and Selena unfortunately have in common is their tragic and untimely deaths. Jenni died in a plane crash on December 9, 2012, and Selena was shot and killed on March 31, 1995. Both superstars received their Hollywood Walk of Fame stars posthumously. Jenni just got her star on June 27, 2024, and Selena received hers on November 3, 2017. Fans were the first to discover and report that both stars were covered in black paint.
Why would anyone do this?
That anyone would feel compelled to vandalize these women’s stars is beyond comprehension. And now it appears that both stars were defaced again after being cleaned. Ugh! Here’s what’s been reported thus far.
How Jenni's family found out about the vandalism.
Jenni Rivera’s daughter, Jacqie Rivera, shared a series of Instagram Stories explaining how she found out via fans on the scene that her mother’s new star was covered in black paint.
“Through a fan from Texas, I found out they vandalized my mom’s star in Hollywood,” Jacqie explained in Spanish. “They went to visit and when they got there, it was completely covered in black paint. Obviously, I was angry, I was pissed off. But they sent me pictures and videos, and the fans started cleaning up the stars.”
And it wasn’t just Jenni’s star that was covered in paint.
“It was not only my mom’s star that was vandalized, but also Selena’s, and they cleaned both stars as best they could,” Jacqie continued. "The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce who are in charge of taking care of the stars are already cleaning them professionally.”
According to ABC News, another star was vandalized as well.
ABC News reported that the star of Heinie Conklin was also vandalized with black paint. He was a silent film actor with almost 400 films to his credit. I guess it makes me feel better that the fools responsible for this nonsense weren't just targeting Mexican American stars, but not much better.
The official Hollywood Walk of Fame organization was pissed.
The Hollywood Walk of Fame is run by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and when they found out about what had happened, they sent professional cleaners to restore Jenni’s star, but not before sharing pictures of the damage and sharing the following choice words:
“This morning fans reported that the @JenniRivera star has been vandalized. This is unacceptable! Top send Terrazzo star maker Vince on the way to repair. Thanks to the fans who tried to clean the star up and reported. Note, there are cameras everywhere and a police report has been filed! .”
Chiquis Rivera had a few choice words of her own to share in the comments section.
Chiquis Rivera, Jenni’s eldest child, took to the comments section of the Hollywood Walk of Fame's social media post to express gratitude for the fans that “took the time to help clean” up her mama’s star and shamed the “person/people” responsible for the mess created.
Chiquis also took the time to thank the fans who lovingly took action and tried to clean up her mom's star on their own even before she and the rest of her family had any idea of what was going on.
Johnny Lopez also had something to say about the ordeal.
Jenni’s youngest child, Juan Angel “Johnny” Lopez, shared via social media a picture of himself lying by his late mother’s star strewn with flowers and candles and also a video of his Jenni singing. In the caption he wrote: “can’t stop her shine ⭐️❤️.”
Jenni’s star was cleaned.
On Monday, July 8, the Hollywood Walk of Fame posted an update featuring Jenni’s restored star and wrote: “Jenni Rivera’s star is back to its pristine condition! Thanks to @TopEndterrazzo and especially to the fans for helping out. #walkoffame #LoyalRiverafans.”
But it didn’t stay clean for long!
!Despierta America! reported via its Instagram account that both Jenni and Selena’s stars were defaced again after being cleaned. No word on whether Heinie Conklin's star was defaced a second time.
Jenni’s star is number 2,783.
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce honored Jenni with a star in the category of Recording on June 27, 2024. The star is located in front of Capitol Records at 1750 N. Vine Street. Her star was the 2,783rd star awarded.
Selena’s star is number 2,622.
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce honored Selena with a star in the category of Recording. Her star is also located in front of Capitol Records at 1750 N. Vine Street. Her star was the 2,622nd star awarded.
Closing thought: Why is the vandalism of Selena’s star getting so little press?
I understand that Jenni Rivera just got her star and it’s shocking that less than two weeks later it gets defaced. I also understand that not a whole lot of people nowadays know Heinie Conklin, who died in 1959, which is probably why he isn't making headlines. But what's up with the lack of coverage regarding Selena’s star being defaced? I don't like it. I don't like it one bit.
