An Honorary Spanish Diva, I am

It's no secret in Latin America or even Spain that every actor tries to sing and every singer tries to act. It's just a common marriage of the "arts" in these territories. Very few of them actually manage to get away with it and reveal amazing talents! Here is a list of the few whom I adore and decided to share and discuss for your entertainment. The songs here are on rapidshare format so these links won't expire.



Alejandra Avalos


She started out acting in the mid 80's and recorded her first album in 1989. Even though not alot of people may remember her singing career or even knew of it, she has a few songs that she's known for by music lovers (and queens). You all may know her from her telenovelas "Tenias Que Ser Tu", "Soñadoras" or most recently "Apuesta Por Un Amor".

Take a listen!
Amor Fasciname - Alejandra Avalos




Laura Flores


I always thought Laura was ugly, has a weird face and have never been a fan of her telenovelas. But she does possess a decent and quite lovely singing voice. She's no Mariah Carey but she's somewhere between Pandora and Tatiana. I like that she's kept her career going despite the fact the last known "hit" for her was the theme song to her very popular telenovela "El Alma No Tiene Color". The song I am sharing was written by Joan Sebastian.

Take a listen!
Desamor - Laura Flores





Alicia Machado


Alright, well she didn't exactly start off as an "actress" per se, but this Venezuelan lovely was Miss Universe 1997 and became famous after gaining 30lbs shortly after her coronation and Donald Trump threatened to take away her crown if she didn't lose those pounds. The feminists had plenty of scraps to feed off with this story. She then became an actress and finally recorded her only album (so far) in 2004. I loved it!! She has a husky voice but very feminine. Quite powerful. She's somewhere between Sheryl Crow and Maria Conchita Alonso, whom she is frequently compared to.

Take a listen!
Fuiste Tu El Primero - Alicia Machado




Maria Conchita Alonso


Maria Conchita! You all may remember her as a B-actress in Hollywood films, but she started off in music rather early in the early 80's with her Disco project Ambar (with future pop star Rudy La Scala). She recorded her debut album in 1982 and slowly started having a series of classic hits that to this day are played on Spanish radio. She has a lovely deep and raspy voice, reminiscent of Bonnie Tyler. I love it! This song I am sharing is my favourite from her 1985 album "O Ella O Yo"

Take a listen!
Ciao Goodbye - Maria Conchita Alonso






Raquel Olmedo


Omg, this is the EPITOME of the actress who has widely uknown singing skills! Such a great singer with her own style. She had some hits in the late 70's and has pretty much given up on her singing career. You all may remember her as the villain in "Barrera De Amor" or in "Esmeralda" and "Piel De Otoño". She's a great actress with a distinctive voice and a lovely voice!

Take a listen!
He Dejado Todo Por Ti - Raquel Olmedo






Chantal Andere



Daughter of legend Jacqueline Andere, even though she did not inherit her mother's good looks (she was gorgeous when young), she certainly has another talent..SINGING! Chantal came and went as a singer in the 90's and didn't really have any hits. Such a shame, she has quite a nice voice. She has since focused on telenovelas and acting, most of the time playing villains. She acted with the aforementioned Raquel Olmedo on "Barrera De Amor" as well. Check out this rare and lovely ballad.

Take a listen!
Contigo El Amor Es Mucho Mas - Chantal Andere






Rocío Banquells


So this may be one of the cases where you didn't know she acted or simply don't know her at all! The daughter of the late Mexican legend Rafael Banquells (whom also fathered Sylvia Pasquel). She began her career as a young actress and excelled at playing villains, most notably on the now classic telenovela "Los Ricos También Lloran" with Veronica Castro. But she didn't release a record until 1981 and achieved her real first hit in 1985. She has an AMAZING voice and one of the strongest I've heard in Mexican pop. I find it amazing how singing was her second career, she obviously was born with talent. You may also know her from the Spanish version of "Beauty and The Beast". She sang the duet with Mijares. The song I am sharing is a lovely cover of "It Must Have Been Love" by Roxette

Take a listen!
Pudo Ser Amor (It Must Have Been Love) - Rocio Banquells




And of course...I can't do a post about Spanish actresses who can sing without talking about the obvious..the lovely, my favourite female singer and quite the artist..

Daniela Romo


You may only know her as a singer or you may only know her as an actress. But this talented woman started off her career very early in the late 70's doing telenovelas and a few theatre productions. She has since capped off an amazing career balancing out acting and singing on stage, on film and on television. She is incredible.

She is currently starring in her own production of the musical "Victor Victoria". The song I am including is taken from that musical! I hope you enjoy it! It's proof that Daniela Romo is still on top of her game.

Vivo Entre Las Sombras - Daniela Romo (from the Mexican production of "Victor Victoria")


I hope you enjoyed my list children. Please comment on what you have heard here! Ta ta and thank you all for reading!