San Antonio, Texas – A.B. Quintanilla, the brother of the late Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, issued an apology to fans after an outburst during a performance at Tejano Explosion 2024 in San Antonio. Quintanilla, a prominent figure in the Tejano music scene, expressed frustration with the lack of audience participation during the show, leading to a heated exchange with the crowd.
The incident occurred as A.B. Quintanilla and his group, A.B. Quintanilla Y Los Kumbia Kings All Starz, were headlining the final concert of the weeklong music festival. The 60-year-old musician, who had recently performed at the Latin American Music Awards, chastised the audience for their perceived lack of enthusiasm, stating that it felt disheartening as a musician to not receive the expected response from the crowd.
In a video shared on social media, Quintanilla can be seen expressing his disappointment with the audience and vowing to take his music elsewhere in response to their perceived lack of support. The crowd’s reaction turned negative, with some attendees booing and gesturing in disagreement with Quintanilla’s remarks.
The following day, Quintanilla took to Instagram to issue a public apology to those in attendance, explaining that his behavior was influenced by an underlying health issue. He revealed that a recent cancer scare and the subsequent changes in medication had affected his mental health, leading to the outburst on stage. Despite the intense emotions displayed during the performance, Quintanilla assured fans that he had not been diagnosed with cancer.
Acknowledging his struggle with mental health challenges, including bipolar disorder, OCD, ADD, and PTSD, Quintanilla emphasized the importance of seeking understanding and forgiveness from his supporters. He expressed regret for his actions and words during the concert, attributing them to the difficulties he faced in managing his mental well-being.
The incident highlighted the importance of mental health awareness and destigmatizing discussions surrounding psychological disorders within the entertainment industry. Quintanilla’s candid revelation provided insight into the pressures faced by artists and the need for compassion and empathy from audiences during challenging times.