Words by Carol Wright | Photography by Tamara Tihanyi
Madison chatted with us about getting the chance to play young Selena in SELENA: The Series and her favorite thing about being a performer.
When did you realize you wanted to be a singer?
I knew at 2 years old I wanted to be a singer. I always had to have music playing and I would sing all day and every day. Even though you couldn’t understand me at 2 (LOL), I was singing loud and proud. At 3 and 4 years old, I would always get my dad’s iPad and listen and sing to all his music from the great singers of Motown and all genres from the 50’s to now. Aretha Franklin, Freddy Mercury. Etta James, Sam Cooke to Bruno Mars.
What’s your favorite thing about performing?
Making people smile and giving them my energy and receiving their energy back. There is no better feeling when 50,000 people are chanting your name and cheering for you. Also it gives me the platform to donate my time and sing at many charity events which is very important to me.
What was the audition process like for SELENA: The Series?
It was a lot of fun. I did both the initial and call backs that were a month apart. I had to sing songs in English and Spanish and two scenes. Prior to the auditions, I had done a lot of research on Selena from the time when she was my age and throughout her career. I studied all of her videos as well. I felt really prepared and confident going into the auditions and based on the reactions I received from Casting and the Producers for the show, I felt really good about my chances of landing the role.
How did it feel to get cast as young Selena?
OMG! When I got the news I was cast I couldn’t believe it. I was at soccer practice with my dad when he got the call with the news. He called me over and told me and I was so happy and excited I couldn’t even finish practice. I had happy tears driving home and felt so proud of myself. Then the hardest part of getting the news was that I couldn’t share it with anyone other than my immediate family for 3 months.
Were you nervous to delve into the acting world?
Well honestly, not really. Singing and performing in sold out stadiums, arenas and on television helped me so much to make the jump into acting. Singing is a lot like acting. I have to learn and memorize lyrics to a song as well as give and perform different emotions depending on the type of song I am singing so that people can feel it. Acting is the same. I memorize my lines and understand the scene and script and depending on the role or character I’m playing I have to become that character. Also I have been acting for 2 years and before landing the role of a Young Selena, I filmed 11 national commercials and most recently co-starred in the short film “The Tooth Racket” that won 2020 Best Comedy at the Hollywood Just 4 Shorts Film Festival.
Have you learned anything about Selena Quintanilla that you didn’t know before through working on the show?
Yes everything about her. I didn’t know who Selena was. My parents were fans of Selena so they told me all about her. I then listened to all her music and learned all about her! What an amazing person she was and still is. She is such an inspiration and a great example to everyone with her humility, her love for music and people. Now I’m a big fan of hers and I hope by playing Young Selena it will inspire a whole new generation of kids to discover her music.
What advice do you have for aspiring singers?
I would say practice, always challenge yourself, don’t be afraid to fail and never give up no matter what. If you truly love singing it doesn’t matter if you’re singing for one person or millions. Singing is about touching people and the feeling you get back from doing that is so special.
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Music site: www.MadisonBaezMusic.com