Welcome to Estudio Billboard. Today, we have the pleasure of talking to one of the most versatile singers of Latin music. She is a singer and a song writer who started as the queen of merengue music. Her career has taken her to stardom with ballads, as well as pop music. She is an socially conscious artist who is a role model for thousands of women around the world. Estudio Billboard welcomes Olga Tañon!
Ladies and gentlemen…Welcome to Estudio Billboard. Today, we have one of the most distinct female voices in Latin music…. Olga Tañon. Welcome, Olga.
Eh!
How are you doing?
Very good.
It’s nice to see you.
You, too…
I have to mention that Olga was wearing a hat. I have to show it.
The bald guy took it off me. It was intentional. I had a cowgirl look, but he said I shouldn’t wear it because I didn’t bring a horse.
But…You could have brought one because you told me that you have a horse ranch.
Yes. They are Paso Fino horses.
I can’t believe it.
What’s the name of the ranch?
…The Ranch of Faith.
Why is it called that?
…Because we are people of faith. Many people know that we have a daughter. We are always waiting for a miracle that can save her.
In fact, there has been a miracle. It was initially believed that Gabriela suffered from Sebastian Syndrome. Has there been another miracle lately?
Well…What we have been told is that she actually never suffered from that, but doctors don’t know what she has either. So… Let’s see what happens now. Whenever I talk about this or when people ask…I have to say that the thing I love the most is that she hasn’t changed this face that she makes when she starts singing. It doesn’t matter if she has enough blood platelets or not. She has a beautiful spirit that pushes her to continue singing and to move on.
Gabriela rides horses. Doesn’t she?
Gabriela used to ride horses… until she fell off of a horse that didn’t belong to our ranch. She feels a little scared now, but we are trying to convince her to do it again.
Olga…Do you ride horses?
… a little.
I would like to see you. You should make a video of you riding on a horse or something like that.
Understand?
A jaripeo…
Yes, yes… Some horses are spectacular.
Yes. I’m proud to say that Paso Fino horses come from Colombia.
Yes, yes…
I would like to talk to you about your life and work…your miracles and the projects you are working on with your new record label. We’ll talk about that in a few minutes… when we continue talking with Olga Tañon on Estudio Billboard.
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We continue talking to Olga Tañon on Estudio Billboard. You are experiencing a new stage in your life. Less than a month ago, you created a new record label called Mia Music after an entire career of working with big labels.
What happened?
Mia musa.
Mia musa?
Music.
Who is the muse?
The muse…The inspiration for the songs….Everything is a muse. I think that we all have a muse whenever we have the chance to write. The muse fills our soul and heart so that we are able to use our pens.
You have been writing for quite a long time.
Yes, for many years… The thing is… I had been a little... I was like a sleeping lion. The lion is awake now, and I have been writing a lot for a while now, ever since Flaca o gordita and Bandolero. I’ve written a lot of songs, and I just finished writing songs for the soap operas Amor entre tres and Pasión morena.
Tell us about Amor entre tres. That is the soundtrack of a soap opera with the same title. How did that happen? Were you asked to write it?
Well… I was asked to write it. I was told, “This isn’t a typical case where a man who has two women can’t make up his mind. It’s about a woman who has to decide between her middle-aged husband and someone who she didn’t like much in the beginning… but who she is falling for because they are the same age.” It’s cynical because women are masochistic. She’s aware that this is not good. I called Jorge, one of my backup singers for many years, and I told him, “We’re going to write this song.” It’s difficult, particularly when it is a special request like that, because you have to work with all of those stories. However, we just learned that we are number one in Venezuela, so I am glad. Those number one hits are scary, but thanks.
How did you write it? Did you write the lyrics? Did he create the music? Or did both of you compose the whole song?
Yes, yes. Both of us composed it…
So…It’s about this woman who feels guilty.
…Completely guilty.
…Completely.
…But can’t make up her mind.
Doesn’t she ever make a decision?
No. She’s masochistic.
So… You sit down and write that song, and then you decide, “Ok. Is it going to be fast-paced or slow?”
There are different versions. Obviously, today, when you release a song…different versions are created.
And… It’s number one, so we know...
This time it was made as a salsa and as a ballad version.
Which way do you like it better?
Both versions have the same meaning… The only thing is… With the salsa version, I have to move more, and with the ballad version...
Could you?… Please?...
My voice is hoarse because I have not slept in 24 hours, but I’ll give it a try. This is going to sound like a Puerto Rican ditch, but let’s see. You know what a ditch is. Right? It’s a place where water flows through.
It is?
Yes.
Are you asleep? What happened?
§§
What a tragedy!
Él me da la seguridad, es el hombre ideal para cualquier mujer. El otro detestable pero divino. Una mirada, un pretexto y lo indebido. Sin pensar dónde estoy va a parar, mordí la manzana que me hizo pecar. Este amor entre tres no vale la pena, este amor entre tres es una condena, este amor entre tres la vida entera perderé.
That’s the issue with being a little... The second part says, “I know what I’m doing isn’t right, but I don’t want to choose who to stay with.”
So… You got under this woman’s skin.
I think everyone has been in love with two people at some point in their lives, and they have had to make a decision. When I was a young girl, I used to watch Mexican soap operas. By the way, we are in Mexico. Do you remember Juan Ferrara?... when he was a cutie? He is a very handsome mature man now. I used to say, “Wow! He’s hot!” Rogelio Guerra also appeared in Los ricos también lloran …So… I wondered, “Which one should I choose?” I dreamed about it and cried…but not anymore. I have been blessed. I’m kidding! I think that’s happened to many people throughout their lives. There are also people who are interested in you, and there is always a special someone who makes you tingle.
Well…That’s never happened to me.
Thank God! Some wives nag and say, “No, you can’t go out.” There’s a man here who is going through that, so he’d better be home soon.
I also think that the wives of all the men here nag, in part, because of people like you…who cause women to fight because of your songs.
No… I also have love songs.
Yes.
The thing is… Hits today have to do with lost love and bad guys.
Descarado, bandolero y brujo, to’ lo malo tú lo tienes. Tú pensabas que alguien te iba a querer.
Descarado, bandolero y brujo, to’ lo malo tú lo tienes. Tú pensabas que alguien te iba a querer, qué equivocado estás. Paga, paga todo lo que hiciste y siente las heridas que me diste. Todos tenemos un juicio final. Ja, ja, ja, ja.
Who did you write that for?
I wrote it for bad guys.
…To any bad guy in particular or to all of them?
Wow…There have been a lot of bad guys in my life, but I am completely over them. No… Today, I have a wonderful man who is the father of my three children. He’s around here somewhere.
He’s around.
...
What man needs a successful, strong woman like you? It must be hard to find a man who meets your expectations.
I don’t know. We met by chance. Billy was my television producer, and I said, “Hello, baby.” I’m kidding. I think it was just a matter of not being intimidated by a supposedly strong Olga who was also a mother. The first thing he told me was, “The most important thing is that there’s no intimidation between us. The nice thing is that we want to have a life together. We aren’t children anymore.” We made a decision, and today, we have three wonderful children. He’s a great dad, and that’s important. He tolerates a lot of things from me.
Really?
Yes. I mean it. I wake up, and sometimes I’ll even fight with the mirror…like…“What’s the matter? Oops, I’m sorry.” Then I discover it’s me.
Did you use to sing when you were little? Where was your musical interest born?
My mother was an excellent singer in the shower. When you sing, an echo is created in the shower, so you feel like singing louder. She used to sing un imposible amor me está matando sin piedad, but she sang in tune. That was nice. It wasn’t something professional. I wasn’t allowed to be a professional. I was told, “Nobody will support you around here.” I mean, when you are in the media business, and you have relatives that can help you, it’s easier. But for my parents, what I wanted to do was make an easy life. They told me that they would not support me, and that there was barely enough money for sustaining the household. So… I decided to go out on my own. I worked very hard.
Do you remember the moment when you were little, and you decided, “This is what I want to do with my life”?
When I was four, I told my mother and father that I would be famous.
Why? What happened?
I wanted to be a singer. I used to see Rocío Durcal and Rocío Jurado on television, and I loved them. I think they were... The word “divas” is used very often now. People tend to forget the real divas…like Rocío Durcal, may she rest in peace, as well as some others. They had terrific voices. I admired so many of those female singers. I made a decision, and I tried it. I worked very hard.
So…Do you think that was your first true inspiration?
I think so.
Do you remember yourself being little and watching TV while saying, “Wow! Those voices are amazing”?
Yes, especially today…That you know what a console is…like my partner here does... Or Pro Tools… So many special effects didn’t use to exist. Those women could actually sing.
They could actually sing. That’s true.
Do you remember your first live show?... when you were standing on stage and felt the audience’s applause?
I was four years old. I forgot to turn on the microphone at the Toa Baja coliseum in Puerto Rico. I had to sing a solo because my first teacher was an opera teacher.
When we return, you can tell us more about that. We’ll be back with Olga Tañón on Estudio Billboard.
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We continue with Olga Tañón. So… You were four years old. You were standing on the stage, and the microphone wasn’t working.
I was with a group of kids. The teacher told me to turn the microphone on. You know…Microphones didn’t use to be like they are today. They had wires, and you had to turn them on or off… and I forgot. When she went ah, da, da, da... It was heard everywhere. You know…The first one to clap was my mother. She would say, “That’s my girl!” I think from then on, I stopped feeling embarrassed. Then, I was part of the school choir. When I was around 10 years old, I participated in a lot of contests, but they were not as profitable as they are today. I never got first, second or even third place. They didn’t even say, “Thanks for participating.”
So…Nobody told you, “Olga, you’re wonderful.”
That’s because I was terrible.
But you thought you were wonderful…
I used to sing any song and do...
But when you looked at yourself in the mirror, you thought...
I used to sing really well at home, but then I would get nervous. When I was on TV, everything went wrong.
So…What happened? How did the nervousness disappear?
Well… I had this wonderful teacher named Yudito Betancourt. Whenever I didn’t have the money to pay the monthly fees, he would tell me, “You can have free lessons because you are going to be a great artist.” He used to make me stand in front of the mirror for eight hours to rehearse. He told me, “Whenever you feel confident, and you convince yourself about what you are singing, then you will be able to convince the audience. Until then, you will stay there.”
So…He used to teach you not only singing techniques, but also how to perform while on stage.
The issue was being confident and looking people in the eyes. I have many artist friends who say, “I only look over the people’s heads. Otherwise, I get nervous.”
They look at the last row, the last tiny head. Do you always look at people’s eyes?
Yes.
What happens if you look someone in the eye, and they do this?
I do the same thing back. I don’t have a problem with it. And, if he goes like this... I say to him, “Why are you sticking your tongue out at me? What’s wrong with you? What? Are you going to call your wife?” I don’t have a problem with it. Leyla...The thing is...I decided I would be Olga Tañón when I started singing. I am Carmen Gloria and Pepe’s daughter. I don’t have a creative name. There are many people with creative names, but I am Olga Teresa Tañón, as Gilberto Santa Rosa tells me. I don’t like being called Olga Teresa Tañón because they used to call me Olga T. Tañón at school. Imagine that. But I am still the same. I always have been, so I decided to just be me. Otherwise, the day that you die, people will figure out that you were just pretending.
Your first band was called... Let me see...
It was a beautiful name. Check on it…
Las nenas de Ringo y Josie. Who were Ringo and Josie?
That’s a glamorous name.
I think so. I saw the pictures, and you had a huge hairdo.
Not huge… It was enormous. Do you remember when people used to do that?... And then it was difficult to get it off? That was it. I was with Chantelle. I was with Las nenas de Ringo y Josie for three years. I thought I was auditioning for a rock band, but then I realized it was a merengue band. I told Ringo Martínez that I didn’t know how to sing meringue, and he told me, “When you know how to sing, you can sing anything. Come by if you want to be with us.” The very next day, right after that audition, I recorded for the first time in my life. It was a song by Valeria Lynch, Fuera de mi vida. I think I sang that in a very high key because I was very scared. It was the first time that I entered a recording studio, and I had never seen so many speakers, so many keys, and so many things. There was a microphone in the middle, and I was told, “Go ahead. Open your mouth and sing.” I believe that’s one of the things I have to be thankful for. Wherever I go, I say, “thank you” to Ringo Martinez for giving me the opportunity, and also to those people who trusted me and advised me to go on and gave me their support, whether it was financial or not.
Yes…and also with Chantelle. It was a women-only band...
It was very different. We tried to be sort of Juan Luis Guerra…creating a much more sophisticated merengue, you know. I couldn’t really take... When there are women-only bands, there is too much fighting...
Everyone wanted to be the star.
No, no…
So…What did you do?
I just left. No, no, no. Women are complicated. That’s why I don’t like any of them.
All right.
No, no, no. They don’t even know how to drive. I’m kidding. The thing is… There is always a struggle, even in offices. It’s not only in the artistic field. There’s always competition everywhere. I couldn’t take it anymore, and I decided to continue studying fashion design. After that, WEA Latina called me to be the first woman ever to record a solo merengue album.
All right. What did you say? The record was to be called Sola.
Yes.
So… At that time, you said, “Well…I’m going to be by myself. I’m done with Ringo and Josie. It’s over with Chantelle. I am Olga Tañón.” Did you decide you would have a certain look and musical personality that was going to differentiate you from everybody else?
Of course… I couldn’t be influenced by older women bands such as Las chicas del can, especially because I didn’t want to dress as provocatively as them. That’s not my style. You know? I don’t feel comfortable showing too much skin. I decided I would be the female version of Juan Luis Guerra, singing love songs. But at that time, I didn’t write songs as beautifully as Juan Luis. I started being a little different, and things turned out great. I thank the public because even though I’m not Dominican, they have supported me. As a Puerto Rican, I respect the Dominican flag.
Yes, I believe they regard you as an ad honorem Dominican because...
Yes, they have treated me very well and very respectfully. There’s a lot of Dominican talent, for example Milly Quezada and Myriam as well.
So… When you decided to change and make pop music, you weren’t really starting over. You were just returning to your roots.
Exactly… I started to become recognized after I had some success singing merengue. Then I asked the president of the record label, “Why don’t you let me do ballads? I would really like to do that one day.” He replied, “Who would you like to do it with?” I became very cocky, and I said, “Bring me Juan Gabriel or Marco Antonio Solís, or else I won’t do anything.” He started to laugh and said, “What a humble girl!” To my surprise, two days later, he called me. I started to cry because that had never happened to me before. He said, “Get ready. Pack your bags because we are going to Las Vegas, Nevada, next Thursday. Marco Antonio Solís is going to make your record.”
And you became good friends with Marco from that moment on…
Yes, from that moment on…
Olga, I have seen that women really identified both with your merengue and ballads. They love to see a strong woman who sings about these things. Although you didn’t much like being in female bands, many women see you as a role model. Do you feel that way?
I think we are like allies, but it is also important to say that we have plenty of faults. You know… Sometimes we get off on the wrong foot. I am left-handed, so every time I get off on the right side, things go wrong, and I can’t even stand myself. I think it’s important to sing about our imperfections. I wrote Flaca o gordita for the same reason. There was a stage in my life where I weighed around 215 pounds, and my husband would still tell me, “Sweetheart, you look really beautiful.”
Can you sing a little part of Flaca o gordita?
Yes.
Inspire us before the break…
§§
Ha pasado tanto tiempo, pareciera que fue ayer cuando te entregué por primera vez, me prometiste que por mí morirías. Me llevaste hasta la luna, me sentí como ninguna, la costumbre asomó su cara a los dos y yo no quiero que esto pase a mayor. Quiero más tiempo igual que ayer, quiero más besos con sabor a miel. Que no se te olvide que esa peleona quiere escuchar, te voy a cantar este pedacito, escúchame.que estoy bonita, flaca o gordita, que me quieres mucho, que me necesitas, como antes decías es ya tu medida. Quiero piropos de esos que me decías. Regálame rosas o margaritas que sean de sorpresa con una notita, una reconquista llena de caricias que no nos pase como a muchos se resignan.
That was very nice. Thanks a lot.
We’ll be back with more about Olga Tañón here on Estudio Billboard.
That was pop.
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We continue with Olga Tañón. You just sang Flaca o gordita for us. That’s a beautiful song.
Flaca o gordita …sung with a cornet-like voice.
You were telling me that you didn’t write it for your husband, but for your parents.
Sure… Dad and mom have been married for 50 years. My father is 20 years older than my mother. He is almost 90 years old, and my mom is 69. Sometimes, I ask mom how dad is looking, and she says, “very hot.” And I’ll ask him, “How about mom?” He replies, “She is even hotter.” They still have that flame. Even if they have an argument, it’s still there. The only thing is that he is very jealous. He says if I am going out with him, I should wear red lipstick. It’s like in old times. If I ask, “Dad should I take you with me?” He replies “Wear red lipstick.”
So today...
He would not like me today.
“Don’t go out with me if you are not wearing makeup.” It’s good that he likes a nice-looking woman.
Olga…You have the nickname “fire woman” because of your album...
It has kind of been a problem. It was my second album. Many people in other countries wanted to meet me because they thought that I worked at a circus.
You are kidding.
I swear…on my mother. Some people used to think that I... Until we did a show in Venezuela… I told people, “If you think that Olga Tañón is the fire woman, then I will give you more fire than ever.” I brought in different guys who worked at the circus and were like gypsies. There were Spanish and Argentinean people, and they played crazy tricks with fire. Imagine that. When people in other countries don’t know you, they think you do the kind of stuff they do at the circus. I’ve been asked about it.
I had no idea. Your career has become really international. Merengue is such a regional rhythm and...
It was played by men only.
Yes.
It was played by men only. I tried to open a pathway for other people coming behind me and also for other women. Obviously, many other women have become recognized.
In fact, that’s over now. There was a whole wave of merengue-singing women. Do you really feel you paved their way?
Yes, yes. I have a friend who I love. Her name is Giselle. She says, “I had to stop listening to you. Otherwise, I would start saying “Hay!” and sing Mentiroso the way you sing it, and that’s not possible.” I love her so much, and she’s still singing merengue.
…As well as Melina León.
Melina sings beautifully. I think she is one of the... She has a spectacular voice, but she has tended to sing more ballads, so...
But merengue has lost a lot of strength, at least in The United States…
I believe the radio is the one that decides what to play. Everything is based on trends. Reggaeton appeared, but something else will appear next. The other day, I was in Tennessee, and they were saying that when Elvis Presley came out on television, people used to say that it was an outrage and that dancing like that was a sin. That’s like the things coming out today. It’s a boom. The question is if those things will remain. I think that merengue stayed with us. Reggaeton came in, and now merengue is starting to come back. The thing is that people fall for something, but I believe merengue will always be there because it is the national rhythm of a country with a lot of good taste. I have never liked double-meaning merengue songs, but I like the funny ones.
You have a duet with a very famous Egyptian musician named Hakim.
Yes, but that is pop-like...
…But it has a merengue rhythm to it.
It is like zambumbia.
Yes.
There is a rapper, there’s him and then there is me. It was really funny when we were trying to make the video because we didn’t understand each other.
So?...
We used sign language.
He spoke Arabic, and you spoke Spanish.
Yes. He spoke Arabic, and I spoke Spanish. I told my mom, “I don’t know if he is mentioning you, but people say that he is the most famous performer in Cairo.” We did not understand each other. Ah Ya Albi was the name of the song.
Ah Ya... Holy Mother. I hope I’m not saying a bad word. We had too much fun precisely because of that. I asked, “Hakim, where is...?” and he would reply, “No.” Anyway, we did it, and it was a number one hit in Cairo. I was invited to do a concert. We did some concerts together in Los Angeles. It was hilarious because Latin people are tropical, so we danced cumbia in Mexico, or merengue in Puerto Rico, or even salsa. But if you looked at the people at the concert, there would be thousands of Shakira-like women. I swear. It was so beautiful to see how they danced their traditional music. That was very interesting. That is the nice thing about doing different things. We are Latin or Hispanic and making music with an Anglo person is more... making it with someone from Cairo is completely different.
…But the language is still the same. Right?
… I still don’t understand it…but it was nice. The song was a hit, and that is the important thing.
Now, changing topics… You were once awarded the Billboard award “Spirit of Hope” for your charity work, and you have been involved in a lot of different causes before Gabriela. You have been interested in these issues. Do you feel it is an obligation?
I don’t believe it is an obligation for artists to be involved. Some of them do it to be portrayed in the media, but I think they will be judged when the time comes. I believe there should be a commitment from all human beings. We should look around and help each other if we have the opportunity to do so. If we can give each other a hand, why not? I believe I sponsored the first care facility for children with AIDS in Puerto Rico…when their parents died and nobody wanted them. We saw them there one year, and then they were gone. We are also working on saying no to domestic violence. We want to promote respect. I hope the machos who are watching us will fight for a wonderful equity. The most beautiful thing is that somebody can say “I love you” with confidence, tranquility…and not because they are afraid or feel obligated. I think if we understand each other better, there will be less domestic violence.
In fact, you will be giving a concert at the Hard Rock...
No, it’s for a church.
Anyway, it’s for a charitable cause. It’s a concert that you are not charging for, but you are giving your time...
I don’t know. I think I’m charging. What do you mean that I’m not?
Of course! There is money in there. I will sing Hail Mary, but my children still need corn flakes... Well… A lot of nice things are being done. I don’t like to mention most of the things that I don’t charge for because what am I going to tell the Lord on the day he comes and asks, “Why did you spread the word for the world to know about those things?” I don’t like that very much. I remind you of that because that’s what people think. It’s not necessary for them to know about the rest. That stays in your soul, and that’s what fills you with satisfaction.
Do you have a special favorite cause?
I think special children…not just because of having a special child…also, children with cancer. You know why? Leyla…Every day I look at Gabriela, and I haven’t been able to ask God yet why Gabriela is special. I look everywhere, and there are severe cases. I ask God every day why he has sent me a special child. “What do you want me to do with this? Where do you want me to go? Where do you want me to go with this?” For the same reason, I try to do everything possible. Even at other people’s farms….A while back, we were... we invited every girl in the room, and we started to make crafts. I think a lot of nice things can be done for autistic children. People don’t know why there are so many of them. We must be doing something wrong because there are so many autistic children. After you give them a little bit of happiness, I believe you will have the happiness you need and recharge the batteries you need every day to continue with your life.
Having done so many things everywhere, including in the spiritual and charitable aspect…having sung in so many duets and played in so many countries…What’s left for you? What do you want to do in the music field? Who do you want to record with?
…With your husband who has not paid any attention to me.
No, he loves you...
I’m going to make the fat man version.
Ok.
Tito Nieves and I are very close. He made the fat woman version, so I’m going to make the fat man version. I think that duets come quickly. Singing with Celia Cruz was one of the most amazing things…may she rest in peace. I was already pregnant with Gabriela, and I did not expect that. Talking about Cristian Castro…I ran into him at the airport one day, and then we sang Escondidos.
That’s when it happened.
Things might be about to happen, but I still have a lot of things to do. However, I don’t know what fate has in store for me. The only thing I ask God and the Virgin Mary for is that my husband and I are healthy enough to take care of our children…to teach them to live independently. Then, they can take us with them whenever they want.
And you have a baby…
A 2 year old baby…
Oh, my God!
A 2 year old…
How old is Gabriela?
She just turned 13. She sings beautifully.
So I have heard…
She is learning to read and write, thank God. She is doing well. She sings beautifully, and she invents her songs. She doesn’t write them.
Well…Perhaps we will have a duet by Gabriela and Olga soon. We’ll be back with more of Olga Tañón.
Girl, don’t go.
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We continue with Olga Tañón. Olga you corrected what I said. I’m sorry, but I didn’t know that this duet was, in fact, recorded.
The thing is that it was not promoted.
… It was on the album. I remember.
Yes. Gabriela wanted to do it.
What was the name of the song? Sin ti no puedo vivir?
Exactly...
Sin ti no puedo vivir.
I wrote it with José Luis Moreno. She saw me singing songs to God because it is a song we wrote for Him. She said, “Mom can I sing with you?” She doesn’t know how to read so she learned it by heart, and she sang it beautifully.
That is beautiful.
Today, she is singing with an African American woman, so she is getting that influence.
She has quite a strong voice.
She sings very well. I believe I’m going to have musicians at home because Indiana is a drum and guitar player.
How nice… So…We’ll see a whole band in around 10 years.
Exactly.
It‘s time now for 20 questions on Estudio Billboard.
>>What 20 questions?
I ask, and you answer.
All right. Go ahead.
Answer quickly. Don’t elaborate. No time for thinking. Are you ready?
Go ahead.
Your perfect night?
With my husband…
Will you tell us doing what?
Never.
Do you sleep with your pajamas on?
It depends on whether it is hot or cold.
I thought it depended on whether you slept with your husband or not.
Go ahead.
Brad Pitt or Benicio del Toro?
No… Brad Pitt.
What makes you cry?
I’m a crier. I cry a lot at home. Many things…happiness and sadness, everything, especially happy moments with my children and, obviously, times of worry, as well.
What do you spend your money on?
Things I don’t need… but I like…
For example?
Nothing important…gold jewelry, trinkets.
Everything you are wearing?
Yes.
What would you change about yourself, if you could?
My character.
So that it was more...
Subtle.
Oh.
Sort of like Alicia Villareal…
Your worst concert?
A concert that I gave in Panama not long ago… They wanted me to go there, but I had severe bronchitis. They said that they wanted me there even if I didn’t sing. My voice was almost like it is now, but I didn’t sing much. I was there, and they said, “We want to see you. Don’t sing if you don’t want to. We will sing.” It was the first time... but I did sing.
Your best virtue?
I think it is honesty.
Any object you always carry with you?
My rosary…
Show it to us.
Sister Francisca de los Ángeles’ rosary. It was made by the nuns who pray continuously for 24 hours and...
What is your ritual before going on stage?
Saying the Lord’s Prayer and Hail Mary. I ask God for permission to sing because he gave me my voice. I ask him for the chance to sing.
Something that you can’t stand in a person?
Hypocrisy.
What has been the silliest thing someone did to win your heart?
Someone said he had a yacht… And once, I said, “I have a moldy bike.”
Did he have a yacht?
What?
Did he have a yacht?
It was a lie. All of them are like that. Most of them... And then they say, “It was stolen.”
Bad guys, bad guys…
If you could choose another talent besides music, what would it be?
Eliminating hunger from the world…
What is your most commonly used word?
I don’t know.
Yes? No? Sweetheart?
I don’t know.
Come on!
I don’t know. Many… I talk so much that people often have to make me shut up.
What are you afraid of?
Leaving my children or my daughter without having taught them how to be completely independent… I wish she were able to do things for herself. I’m afraid of that.
What is the most important quality in a man?
The one my husband has… being a great father. He loved my daughter before loving me, and he accepted her as if she were his.
Do you have a good luck charm?
The same as before…
Your worst fault?
My worst fault? …Waking up in the mornings in a bad mood. I believe that’s my worst fault … Those days when God commands me to nag. There are some days when your hormones are out of control, and you can’t even stand yourself.
Yes. Me, too …
... We don’t have time… Go ahead.
Two albums you would take with you to a deserted island? Only two?
Two albums?
Or CDs…
Honestly, I wouldn’t take any CDs by any singers… My children’s voices… I have them recorded on CD… when they are crying or laughing or Gabriela singing the ABCs when she was almost two. I think that would be the only thing that would give me peace.
Your favorite vice?
My vice? Sleeping in order to be able to sing… That’s what I haven’t done today, and that’s why I have the voice of a cornet. My children and my family are my vice.
I love that vice.
I love my family.
Before we finish…Do we have time for another question before some music? I want to talk again about Mia Musa Music. Gloria is releasing her music only in digital format.
Gloria Trevi… She’s my partner. Don’t worry. She’s a friend of mine, and she’s like my sister. I sang...
Las cosas malas a veces convienen.
She’s my friend. I love her so much.
Gloria, I love you. You know I do.
...
...
You’re releasing it only in digital format.
Young people are buying a lot of digital things, and they give it to their parents. I think the digital format is one of the fastest things to produce, and then you have it ready to sale. Frequently, when you make an album, it has to go through several processes, and then it takes months to complete the production. Amor entre tres was recorded, and it was immediately for sale. I just added the voice to the Pasión morena songs for the soap opera. It’s already for sale. I think technology will be made by us in the future. What’s more…When we have small children, we have to depend on technology. First to understand it, and then to learn from it.
That’s good. It’s a complete evolution of your career.
There are many projects. I’ll let you know more later because our time is up, and the guy wearing the wig is telling us we have to cut.
No. We have to finish with a little bit of music by Olga Tañón, not by Gloria.
I can sing whatever you want.
What are you going to sing?
Pasión Morena vivo sin cadenas, he decidido abrir mis alas, hacer lo que me da la gana y sueño, sueño que tú te des cuenta que aunque parezco un poco loca sé cómo amar y hacer feliz a quien yo quiera si te atreves a entregarte a esta pasión morena.
[clapping]
Thanks. When I grow up, I want to play the guitar like you do.
At least tell me about one of the projects that you are working on.
One of the coming projects… I just made an album paying homage to Sandro. I was invited to sing, and I will be the only Puerto Rican there. I believe only two people are not Argentinean… Marco Antonio Solís and myself. It’s a wonderful project. At the moment, Sandro is in very fragile health, and I think I’m giving a present to my dad by being a part of this. His favorite music is tango, and this is the first time I have ever sang tango in my life.
What is the song you made?
Noche de amantes...
Noche de amantes... So… It’s something else for Olga Tañón…merengue, pop, ballads… and now Noche de amantes by Sandro…a little bit of tango. With that song, we will say goodbye to this wonderful interview with Olga Tañón.
Thanks a lot.
Olga, thanks. It was a pleasure.
A kiss…
Thanks a lot. And thanks to all of you…
[applause]
