Singer-turned-TV personality Adrienne Bailon hasn’t really performed since 2009, when she released a debut solo album I’d never heard of until I wiki’d her today. But this morning she ended her singing hiatus to perform a tribute to Selena Quintanilla on The Real, the daytime talk show she co-hosts alongside Tamar Braxton, Tamera Mowry, Loni Love and Jeannie Mai.
With the 20th anniversary of Quintanilla’s death approaching (it’s tomorrow), The Real hosted Selena’s sister Suzette Quintanilla, who came by to talk about Selena’s memory, the impact she continues to have today, and April’s upcoming Festival de la Flor. (By the way, Bailon says she’ll be attending. Kali Uchis told us she is too).
Bailon opted to pay tribute to the fallen singer by performing a cover of “I Could Fall In Love,” calling Selena her idol, crediting her as the reason she joined show business, and telling Suzette “You and your family have changed my life.”
I’ve always been pretty ambivalent about Bailon – and obviously no one will ever do it like La Reina – but this was surprisingly heartfelt. When Suzette joins her on stage after the song, Bailon chokes up telling her “This means so much having you here.”
Also, this wasn’t the first time Bailon has covered Selena. A little digging on YouTube revealed this impromptu cover of “Como La Flor” at a friend’s baby shower.