In recent days, a story that many had forgotten about the production of Selena: The Movie, the biographical film that narrates the life of the iconic Tex-Mex singer, Selena Quintanilla, has resurfaced on social media. Although Jennifer Lopez is known worldwide for her performance in the film, it was initially another actress, Gloria de la Cruz, known as Leticia Miller, who had been selected to bring the star to life.
Leticia Miller, an 18-year-old young woman born in California, was chosen from more than 20,000 applicants for her incredible physical resemblance to Selena, sharing distinctive features such as black hair and brown skin. Her talent and presence in front of the camera convinced the production team, who were sure they had found the ideal person to portray the 'Queen of Tex-Mex'.
However, what promised to be the beginning of a successful career ended in tragedy. Before filming could begin, Leticia Miller was found dead in a dumpster in the Wilshire district of Los Angeles. While Jennifer Lopez achieved unprecedented fame with her performance, Leticia’s story remains a tragic loss in the film industry.
The film, released in 1997, was a success and catapulted JLo to international fame. Although her performance was praised, some users on social media have continued to comment on the circumstances that led to her hiring, suggesting conspiracy theories involving Lopez and her then-partner, rapper Sean 'Diddy' Combs. Despite the speculation attempting to link Jennifer Lopez and Diddy to the case, there is no evidence supporting these theories.
It should be noted that the relationship between them began after the film's release, which makes the rumors less credible. Leticia's death shook the film's production and left the lead role vacant. With the vacancy left by Leticia, the production opted to choose Jennifer Lopez for the role of Selena. Nevertheless, the case of Leticia Miller remains in the collective memory as a tragic and somber episode related to the iconic biographical film.
Her body showed evident signs of torture, asphyxiation, and burns. After investigations, the main suspect was her ex-boyfriend, Corrie Rabinson, who had a history of violence.
