Music

‘Latin Music Queens’ Thalía, Farina & Sofía Reyes Talk New Reality Series & More

Art by Alan Lopez for Remezcla

Mexican pop queen Thalía is teaming up with Colombian rapper Farina and fellow Mexicana singer Sofía Reyes for a special collaboration. In an industry that has a history of pitting women against each other, these three artists are co-starring in Latin Music Queens—an online reality series that will unfold across six episodes.

“This show is historic because it’s the first time that three Latin queens are coming together to show women that we’re strong when we’re united,” Farina tells Remezcla. “You’re going to get to know the reality of our day-to-day lives.”

Thalía is one of the executive producers on the show, along with her husband, music executive Tommy Mottola. There will be a new episode every Thursday and viewers will get to see Thalía working on a new song with Farina and Reyes.

“I was thinking we needed to show where we could see an empowering union of women in the music industry,” Thalía says. “People will see us create a song together step-by-step.” They will also be letting viewers into their home lives.

The three women are at the top of their game at different points in their careers. Thalía first rose to prominence in the ’80s as part of the Mexican children’s group Timbiriche. Later, she branched out into a solo career with her self-titled album in Oct. 1990; she’s remained an enduring force in Latin pop.

“I grew up being very inspired by her,” Reyes says. “I remember telling my parents, ‘I want to be a singer because she’s a singer.’ All of a sudden we’re in a reality show together. Like, what is life?”

Reyes is coming on six years in the industry since the release of her debut single “Muévelo.” For Farina, it’s been 15 years since her big break as a finalist on a Colombian version of The X Factor. “We represent three different generations,” Thalía says. “We are so different yet we share the same passion for our music. Everyone comes together in one sisterhood.”

Ahead of the show, we talked with the women about their career highs, working together and more:

Thalía

We’re coming up on the 30th anniversary of your first solo album. What have you learned about yourself in that time?

Wow! What haven’t I learned? Honestly, it’s a gift to be here intact, especially with my fans. To continue creating a new version of myself, the way I am, and my music. Each project is new. Each project is special. Each project is magic. From my first album as a solo artist to now, the one thing I’ve had is a pure heart that has only wanted to sing since I can remember.

You’re a hit on social media. How do you come up with ideas on what to post?

I’m not coming up with ideas. I’m just being me. And that’s what it is. When I see something that excites me, I just want to share it with mi gente on my social media accounts. When I’m working on a project, I like to share that with them. Look at what we’re doing. Look at what I’m eating. Look at what I found. I’ll quickly post it and share with my followers. I love this connection I have with them on social media.

Farina

How do you feel seeing more women in reggaéton today?

I feel very excited about that. When I started out in my country, I was alone. We only had the reference of Ivy Queen. There was also Mala Rodríguez. She’s the queen of Latin rap. There weren’t that many women. And now, 15 years later, you see more women and on top of that, they’re uniting in making music. That’s what we want to show with this series: that female collaborations are now. We’re showing young girls that yes, it’s possible to succeed and that we can give each other a hand as women.

The LGBTQ+ community often admires women in music. Do you have a message for your LGBTQ+ fans?

I want to thank you guys for keeping me alive. This community has been very special to me since the beginning of my career. It’s a community that inspires me every day. They have made me fight for my career. It’s a community that has made me who I am, like my family. It’s a community that has kept me active and my music alive.

What can we expect from you next?

I have an album coming with Arcángel. It’s the first time that a man and a woman are making an urbano album together. It’s an honor for me to be making history in that way. There [are] collaborations coming with more women and male and female American rappers. My own album is also on the way.

Sofía Reyes

What message do you hope this show sends?

It’s about female empowerment. The three of us are constantly elevating each other. I think it’s so important that we share this message with the world. I think it’s time we stop comparing ourselves and realize that we have our own journeys.

You’re the most streamed female Mexican artist on Spotify. How do you feel about that?

That’s beautiful. I’m so thankful. I’m so happy that people are connecting with my music. I am as honest as possible. At the end of the day that’s all that matters, that we share ourselves and we share our art, and that people get inspired or feel something.

Do you have a message for the LGBTQ+ community?

I love that you’re asking me this. As Thalía and Farina have said before me, [the show] is not only about female empowerment but empowerment as a whole. To spread love. To show our humanity and not only that artist world. We’re all humans. We’re all here to love and share and to be there for each other. That’s what we want to accomplish with this show.