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Transcript

Gloria Trevi

Hello! I'm Leila Cobo. I want to thank all of you for being with us on Estudio Billboard. During this hour, we will have an opportunity to get excited, have fun, and travel on a journey with those who create music. You will also have the opportunity to participate with your questions on the show's website. Let's get started!

The singer-songwriter who is joining us today is a symbol of strength and energy. Both controversial and admired, she has an unmatched style that has shocked people holding traditional values. She has a unique presence on stage. Her career started when she was very young. She never imagined that life would literally take her from heaven to hell. She was able to rise from the ashes, just as the Phoenix did. After a few years away, she has shown us that "Trevimanía" is more alive than ever by captivating audiences with her new album, Una Rosa Blu. Let's learn part of her story.

Man: Gloria Trevi!

Y me solté el cabello, me vestí de reina, me puse tacones, me pinté y era bella y caminé hacia la puerta, te escuché gritarme pero tus cadenas ya no pueden pararme.

Man: The hottest show in Latin America...

[shouting]

You are having to suffer because I am having fun! Ha, ha, ha, ha.

Man: From coast to coast, Gloria Trevi fills every location, every venue.

[shouting]

Y que sufran con lo que yo gozo, locos, si se asustan yo no los provoco, bobos que hagan vida y me dejen ya la mía, yo te amo y no van a cambiarlo.

Woman: If the person we love goes to jail, we are there with her, even if only in our prayers.

Man: There is no doubt, Gloria Trevi is one of a kind.

Ella es una loca, loca, perdida, él se aparece en fuego y policromías...

At the top of her career, she went to jail for four years and eight months, until she was finally exonerated and released. When it seemed that her musical career was over, she signed with a new record label. Today she is one of the most important Latin stars. Her records are usually on Billboard Top 10 charts. In just a minute, we will learn more about the amazing singer Gloria Trevi. We'll be right back.

Suddenly, I got goose bumps when I looked at myself in the mirror, and I saw myself just as society sees me. It was the image of Gloria Trevi with torn socks and spiky hair, all that they had made me out to be, and I said, "No."

[clapping]

She was born on February 15, in Mexico, as Gloria de los Ángeles Treviño Ruiz. Her parents are the architect Manuel Treviño and Mrs. Gloria Ruiz. Among her childhood memories is the love for her mother's grandparents, Aurora and Luis, who always played a leading role in her education. She had the chance to enter the artistic world when she participated in a contest in Mexico. Later, a friend from Monterrey would introduce her to producer Sergio Andrade. Together they created the band Boquitas Pintadas with some other girls. It was there that Gloria learned to sing, act, and express herself. She had several hits, such as "Doctor Siquiatra", "Con los Ojos Cerrados", and, of course, "Pelo Suelto". After that, she experienced overwhelming popularity throughout the entire world. She was called "The Mexican Madonna," and it was even suggested that she run for president in Mexico. Sometimes sensitive, sometimes irreverent, she is a pop diva. She is Gloria Trevi.

[clapping]

What's up? Hi, everyone.

Gloria, welcome.

How sweet! Hello.

Gloria, thanks for joining us.

Thank you for inviting all of these kids to be here with us... and for this opportunity to have an intimate conversation with everyone who is watching at home.

You just traveled here after a concert. Last night you were playing until 3am at a show in Puerto Rico. Tell us about it.

Well, it was wonderful. I was there singing. We finished at 3am. It was a hot show. You should have seen the people's reaction, all of the boricuas. I want to send kisses to all of them.

Among other things, I know you have basically been performing all over the continent. I want to emphasize last night's show because it was a concert for the gay community. You are like a queen to...

Oh, it is so nice. It wasn't a concert for the gay community, but it was organized by the gay community. It was very spontaneous because I had gone to Puerto Rico to promote my music. So, all of the bars, all of the main clubs for the gay community, got together and hired me to perform at a venue. We basically invited everyone because what we wanted to promote was non-discrimination. They organize all of their events very well. I really want to thank them for the support they gave to the song "Todos me Miran" which they helped to become a classic.

Did you ever think it would become almost like an anthem?

Yes. Yes.

All of your songs are anthems.

No, no, no. It's not that. The thing is... When I wrote it, It was a very simple thing. I have a gay friend, and he... We were on a plane, and I was pregnant. I was going through a difficult time because I had to suspend my tour. I had just started performing again. I felt uncertain. But at the same time, I was happy to have a beautiful life growing inside my tummy. There were people who said that my child was a mistake. They said that my career was going to sink because I had to cancel that tour.

Just in the beginning... What was she thinking?

Exactly. It wasn't planned. What did they want me to do? You know? I mean... I felt trapped between the devil and the deep blue sea. But I jumped in.

Under a microscope...

Yes, yes. There is this ray of hope that fills your heart when you know that you are doing the right thing. He started telling me about when he was a boy, and his family discovered he was gay. He suffered discrimination during his childhood and adolescence in his own house. Now, he is one of the foundations of his family. He is a reason to be proud. He succeeded in his work. They even ask him for his opinion now. He told me that story, and I said, "How many boys and girls may be in a similar situation?" So, I started to compose the song "Todos me Miran." I wrote...

Tú me hiciste sentir que no valía y mis lágrimas cayeron a tus pies.

At that moment, I also visualized myself in front of society...

Me miraba en el espejo y no me hallaba, yo era sólo lo que tú querías ver.

Suddenly, I got goose bumps when I looked at myself in the mirror, and I saw myself just as society sees me. It was the image of Gloria Trevi with torn socks and spiky hair, all that they had made me out to be, and I said, "No".

Y me solté el cabello, me vestí de rei...

That is when Gloria Trevi reinvented herself. It is complicated because they feel despised by people who are supposed to protect them. This song... There is one called "Chica Embarazada" and another one called "Me Siento Tan Sola". "Me Siento Tan Sola" deals with complicated issues. It talks about a beautiful young lady...

Tuve miedo de estar tan solos los dos...

The album is called Me Siento Tan Sola. That is the one that "Zapatos Viejos" is on. It talks about how her parents want to hide the fact that she is pregnant because they don't want society to find out. A few days ago, I was at the airport, and a girl walked up to me. She asked, "Hey, what do you think about the abortion controversy? Some people say it should be legalized, others say it shouldn't be because it's a sin". I answered, "Look. This is what I think... I am in favor of legalizing it, but I am against abortion". I am in favor of women deciding about their own bodies because society saying "no abortions" pushes women to have abortions. When a teenage girl gets pregnant, she is removed from school because she is considered a bad example. They should tell her, "This is all the information you need to take care of yourself. If you follow this path, people are not going to turn their back on you".

There are options for you...

Exactly. So, first of all, single mothers should be supported. A mother is a mother... A son is a son... And that is something beautiful.

Gloria, before you were talking about... You have always had strong opinions about everything.

Yes.

I remember you used to say that you were going to be a candidate for president. You just mentioned legalizing abortion. Have you thought about becoming involved in politics again?

It's more than politics... I don't find politics very appealing because it sounds to me like the word "polite". I mean people, diplomats, do things just to look good. What I am interested in is helping people. I mean, social work.

I want you to talk more about that later in the show. Tell us about your new record before we take a break. Una Rosa Blu. B, L, U. Why Una Rosa Blu. B, L, U?

Why did we drop the "e"?

Yes.

Well... It's easier!

It is more concise.

To tell you the truth, I wanted the word "blue" to include the final "e". As you know, everything in English has a double meaning. Blue implies sorrow. It also means sadness. There are many Latin people, and we have... Well, I haven't, but many others have created a combined language, a fusion of Spanish and... So, I thought it was nice to call it "Una Rosa Blu". I mean, It is a kind of language as well. The editor of the song told me they didn't want it to be called that in English, that is, using the word blue. I could have done whatever I wanted because they can't tell me what my record is going to be called. They can suggest the song's title but not the album's name.

Sure.

In the end, I said, "Honestly, I have never been that good at spelling... just drop the e". I mean, I just thought that... and the song is really beautiful.

What if before taking a break... we bring out our guitar player, Balta, and you sing something? I don't know... "Una Rosa Blu" or another song...

"Una Rosa Blu" because we were just talking about it. Sure.

This is Balta, our guitar player. Let's welcome Balta!

[clapping]

This song is absolutely beautiful. Whenever you listen to it, think about children with different abilities... and about their mothers.

Una rosa blu es tan especial, es casi inocente, a la vez tan fuerte, no se difumina. Y como un detalle te puede hechizar, aunque sus espinas pueden cortar la vida de quien la ama más. Pero si fuera tuya, su perfume hará que un instante valga por intenso más que una eternidad. Tú serás su estación de primavera, ella se abrirá a ti segura y bella y en tu pecho echará la rosa blu raíces para crecer y dejar su huella. Sentirás en tu piel ni te imaginas cómo puede crecer ella en un solo día, que no te cabe en el cuerpo tanto terciopelo, con sus pétalos va acariciándote entero. Una rosa blu te va a complacer, dulce cual perversa, ella es más diversa que tus fantasías. Una rosa blu es tan diferente que el mundo le teme a lo que no entiende aunque sea una flor.

Bravo! That was nice! Thanks a lot. Stay tuned. We have to take a break. When we come back, we'll keep talking with... and listening to music by...Gloria Trevi. Lovely.

While I am singing and dancing,... my stockings are suddenly torn off,... my hair gets all messy,... my make-up runs,... and you see the Gloria Trevi from the beginning,... because it is what's inside of me.

[clapping]

We continue talking with Gloria Trevi, a controversial and straightforward woman. She was telling us... What do you call it? La neta?

Yes.

Listen, Gloria.

Oh, girl. La neta... I guess I don't like it very much when people call me "controversial" because they always say, "We are going to host the controversial singer Gloria Trevi". I would say,... "songwriter,...talented..."

Just for the record,... We said, "singer-songwriter" at the beginning of the show.

I know. I know. I just want to inform others who invite me on to their shows.

When Gloria Trevi first started, she was really controversial.

I don't know why, girl.

Your stockings had holes.

That was all I could afford! I mean,... I didn't have anyone supporting me,... nobody whatsoever. That idea came up very spontaneously and naturally. I was about to have a performance during a radio festival. I was getting dressed and my stockings ran. I thought, "Oops!" It was 10pm in Mexico. There were no stores open at that time. I said, "What do I do?" In order for people not to notice that the stockings had a hole, I made more of them so that they would think the stockings were meant to be like that. And, it was a hit. After that, I started to wear them, and they lasted almost for a month. I mean,... I used to tie them around my legs, right?

Honestly, at that time, you were... The things you used to sing about were not sung by anyone else. The things you were singing were not...

But,...as you see,... everyone is talking about those things now.

No. I don't think so.

No? They are.

No, no, no, no.

Now we can speak much more freely. Women can say, "I want this. I want it like this, and I like being in charge". I mean,... Before they would say, "Oh, no. I would never do that... only after I get married". Well, there are still some women who say that. I hope that it is true. Ok?

I believe it is a little bit... Well, let's not call it complicated. The English word would be "tricky". Changing from a rebel girl, a rocker... and then becoming... not a rebel, but a self-confident woman who addresses other issues... and is still convincing in both personalities. Do you know what I mean? You have really taken a different... and yet similar path. Has it been difficult?

The thing is,... I have never contradicted myself. I believe I have evolved. I am constantly evolving, but I haven't changed. If one day I wear... for example,... I walk on stage... I usually dress according to the song I am going to sing. If for example, I am going to sing "Psicofonía", which is a single from my new album La Rosa Blu, I prefer a dark style,... gothic-like... darker make up,... maybe black tears,... a taller hairstyle,... old flying clothes... Suddenly, while I am singing and dancing,... my stockings run, my hair gets all messy, my make-up ruins,... and you see the Gloria Trevi you had known in the beginning. That part is inside of me and it comes out. At home, with my family,... sometimes that part of me comes out.

When you were a child... Do you remember the first time that you had a connection with music? The moment when you said, "Wow, I love this. This is what I want to do".

Yes. I was at a ballet festival because my mother was a ballet teacher, and I used to take classes with her. By the age of seven, I had already learned pointe. I would hear people walking into the theater, and I felt excitement in my heart when heard them mumbling. I remember peeking through a tiny hole in the curtain. They couldn't see me, and they probably saw the curtain like this... I peeked through that hole, and I felt like crying. I said, "I want to feel this all my life. I want to do this when I grow up." I said, "Wow! That would be nice. I won't have to work. I will only have to sing." Nobody told me that you have to rehearse a lot. Well,...I did know you had to work a lot.

Why sing and not dance? Why did you decide to use your voice and not your feet?

Well, it wasn't... I feel it wasn't a decision I made. It was a gift from God and I thank him for that. I try to get something good,... something positive from this gift... while I have it. I mean,...Maybe I create songs that are so beautiful,... with beautiful lyrics,... with metaphors... where I think, "I didn't have that in my mind. Somebody sent it to me".

In fact, that is what you say about "Psicofonía".

That is what I say about "Psicofonía". Don't think I am really well-educated, ok? The thing is, I had had some experience with that phenomenon.

The phenomenon is that dead people talk to you, right?

Getting messages from beyond.... I had heard stories from other people... There was a composer with this idea about creating a song called "Psicofonía", and so I found out that phenomenon's name. That phenomenon is not as unusual as some people would like to believe. I believe all of us have heard about, lived, or had that experience.

Do you want to sing something from that song?

Sure I do.

Did you write the music and the lyrics of "Psicofonía"?

Yes.

The entire song?

All of the song... Someone sent it to me at 5am....voices. Ha, ha, ha.

Desde que ya no está él no descansa en paz, su alma llora, llora él no se conforma con la soledad. Desde que ya no está él empezó a vagar, su alma penitente sin opción a muerte por la eternidad. Se conocieron en un frío diciembre tres años atrás, él quería asustarla por el ventanal, ella lo asustó cuando le sonrió, él miró sus ojos y cayó en su fondo hasta su corazón. Ella es una loca, loca perdida, él adora su alma herida y se amaron bailando sin tiempos, psicofonías que él cantaba en el viento. Ella es una loca, loca perdida, él se aparece en fuego y policromías, el fantasma y la loca se quieren casar, el padre de ella no lo quiere aceptar.*

[clapping]

It is a beautiful song, but it is very sad. It is sad.

It is sad, but you can look on the positive side... love beyond life. I believe it is sadder to think about "until death do us part". It is nicer to think that at least there is hope,... something beyond.

I am being told the audience has questions.

Oh, my God!

(Continue to [Page 2])

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