Thalia

Like one of the muses that inspired the poets of antiquity, Mexican singer and actress Thalia has worked her magic on millions of fans around the world. From Argentina to Yemen, the queen of soap operas ruled over the 90s, starring in her country's highest-rated TV melodramas, and bewitched many more with her albums.

Now, in the new millennium, a renovated Thalia is ready to occupy her throne once more, at the top of the musical charts, with a new album for EMI, ARRASANDO and in which, as is customary by now, she surrounds herself with the best musical producers.

Thalia's upcoming album promises to be a smashing success, with over 10 songs that cover the hottest music genres at the moment. The singer's unmistakable singing style - seduction made song - can be felt when she embarks on pop, dance, ballads and even rap, as only she can do.

The first single, "ENTRE EL MAR Y UNA ESTRELLA," is scheduled for release on March 13, and the whole album will have its international release in April.

For the artist, this is a follow-up to the worldwide success of "Amor a la Mexican," a musical spell that included some of the best music alchemists around, such as Emilio Estefan, Kike Santander and Roberto Blades. In the new production, however, Thalia delves into her talents as a songwriter and writes the majority of the tracks on the album. Nobody better than she to describe how she feels.

It is not the first time, though, that Thalia has written songs. In the beginnings of her career as a solo artist, she had done so. But as her fame rose, Thalia found herself on top of a wave that took her rapidly to all corners of the globe, barely giving her time to catch her breath. Between the success of her albums, her soap operas and her promotional and artistic commitments, Thalia's life seemed to be spent in hotels, in between suitcases.

With the new record, however, a new attitude towards life is evident, devoted 100 percent to her singing career, but also to the hard-earned joys of a love life as well. Ever since she was a child in Mexico City, Thalia Sodi's dream was to become the brightest star, and she has managed to do just that, perhaps even beyond her wildest expectations. Always, though, wise enough to know that everything in life requires a balance.

At nine years of age, Thalia belonged to a musical group, Din-Din, that put out four albums, and participated in artistic festivals. With Din-Din, the future star worked arduously, traveled her country's capital, and lived with great intensity the life of an artist. A life that requires great effort, dedication and patience.

Towards the end of 1984, Thalia landed a part as a chorus girl in the musical "Grease," performed on stage in Mexico by the then famous juvenile group Timbiriche. Such was Thalia's scenic presence, however, that in no time she graduated from the chorus to a starring role. Her own starlight was undeniable, and each time she appeared on stage, she made it hers.

Timbiriche's producer, Luis de Llano, was sufficiently impressed with the girl's talent so as to offer her to join Timbiriche in 1986. Along with them, she would record the albums "Timbiriche VII," "VIII" and "IX."

As her career as a singer took off, Thalia also grew as an actress, starting from the bottom and working her way up with small roles in the soap-operas "La pobre señorita Limantour" (1987), "Quinceañera" (1988) and "Luz y Sombra" (1989). It was with "Quinceañera," however, that Thalia became, in the minds of her devoted Mexican fans, the eternal innocent damsel.

Eager to learn English, and polish her craft singing, dancing and learning to play guitar, Thalia said goodbye to Timbiriche in 1989 and moved to Los Angeles for a year. While there, she soaked up all the trends of the moment, from to fashion to art.

Thalia returned to Mexico reinvigorated, with a new look and fresh ideas. That's what she sought to transmit in her debut solo album, "Thalia," her first collaboration with producer Alfredo Diaz Ordaz, with whom she would record two more successful albums, "Mundo de Cristal" and "Love."

Many fans, however, were not quite ready for what they considered to be an abrupt change of image. They could not believe that their little Thalia was now more grown-up, was exposing her navel and was singing rock. The criticism stung the artist, for she never thought she'd generate such a backlash. But "Thalia" the album was a success, and Thalia the woman learned to take it all in stride, and to carry on.

It was a good thing she mastered that attitude, because years later, as an international superstar, she would have to endure all kinds of gossip and rumors about her. That she's too fat, or too skinny, or that she had a rib taken out ... Thalia laughs at it all and transmits that in her new album. Life, she knows, can not be taken that seriously.

Her career, however, has always been something very serious for her. In 1991, invited to work in Spain, she headed there to cohost a variety show called "VIP de noche," for Channel 5. The program was a success and Thalia felt comfortable in her new surroundings. Six months later, however, another challenge took her back to Mexico.

In one bold move, Thalia agreed to star in a trilogy of soap operas, playing characters called Maria. The first one, "Maria Mercedes," came out in 1992 and quickly broke all ratings records. Two years later she did "Marimar," and it topped TV ratings lists in the United States. Success knocked on her door for a third time with 1995's "Maria la del barrio." Thanks to the risky decision to star in the three productions, Thalia's name became synonymous with Mexico in over 120 countries, without any barriers of language, age or geographical regions.

Her international stardom as an actress opened even more doors for her as a singer, and in that arena, she returned in 1995 with "En Extasis" (EMI), produced by Emilio Estefan and Oscar Lopez. The album went gold and platinum, creating a sensation with the single "Piel Morena" and its video. Released in over 20 countries, its tropical rhythms and enchanting ballads made Thalia's sound unique.

The star was wanted everywhere: in festivals all around the world, from Viña del Mar in Chile to Miami's Calle 8 Festival; awards, honors and distinctions were showered upon her; and publications galore sought her incessantly. But in spite of being caught up in this whirlwind of fame and adulation, Thalia remained down to earth, maintaining a smile in her soul and generosity in her heart.

The ecstasy created by "En Extasis" led to another hit-making production in 1997, "Amor a la Mexican," and even an album in the Filipino language, "Nandito Ako," because in the Philippines, Thalia is considered more than a star. She is a phenomenon. (She has also shown her dexterity at languages by recording in English, French and Portuguese.) And as if all this weren't enough, that same year she contributed with three songs to the soundtrack of the animated film "Anastasia."

Fascination with Thalia reached such heights, than on April 25, 1997, the city of Los Angeles celebrated "Thalia Day," and several months later a wax figure of the star was unveiled in Mexico City. Last year, Thalia taped another soap opera, "Rosalinda," and participated in a Hollywood motion picture, "Mambo Cafe," to be released shortly.

Now, the phenomenon known as Thalia is ready to expand to other markets. Thalia, however, will always remain loyal and true to her Mexican roots, to her Latin people, but will invite many others to join her party. A truly international party, where the star once again will astound.

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