Icon of several generations, princess of telenovelas and singer of a proud Mexican label. Thalía Sodi Miranda is, at 51, many women in one. In an exclusive interview from New York, the interpreter travels back in time to the early years of her career, she tells us about her current life, and she delves into the concept of beauty in the 21st century.
Perhaps that is the secret ingredient -necessary- so that everything that is proposed turns out well. In the midst of her busy schedule (she has just released a new album, she is the image of Ícono perfume, by Yanbal, businesswoman and mother), the Mexican gives a space to talk with Somos from New York, contemplating her memories, the still vivid memory of her mother and what he practices to keep her feet (and his ego) on the ground.
You are a Latin American benchmark that transcends generations and nationalities. How do you feel with the affection achieved in all this time?
The truth is that I do not live my life pending the labels that are hanging on me. If someone wants to call me an 'influencer', I love it. If someone feels that I am that image they grew up with on their home televisions, it's the same too. If I'm your forever friend, just as happy and grateful, above all.
You are in the public eye from a very young age. How did you learn to manage your public life, to find a balance?
When you start your career and you start to feel the fame, it's very intoxicating. It traps you, poisons you, plays with your emotions and with your ego. It is very treacherous. I'm past that stage where you take your feet off the ground. Now I live my life with a balance between everything: my family, self-love, my career and my business projects.
At the time you 'took your feet off the ground', as you say, what was it that helped you reconnect with reality?
My mother. She was dedicated to grounding me all the time and making me understand the perspective of life. She taught me to be a very grateful person, especially for the blessing of having an audience that has grown with me.
You are the image of the new Ícono perfume, by Yanbal. In the launch video, you talk about the doors that close in the artistic field and the yeses that can change your life. In your case, what was that yes that turned your destiny around?
The yes that changed my life was learning to say no. It sounds very ironic, but for many years I said yes to belong to certain groups, to be part of what was happening at that time, so as not to be left out. The worst thing is that, in many cases, I sacrificed my element, my essence as a person. Therefore, learning to say no is the greatest gift, because you leave out what does not add up to you, that does not go with who you are.
Learning to say no requires work on self-confidence, on self-love. How do you grow them?
It's a daily job, just like happiness. It's literally the little flower in the pot: if you don't water it, it withers. You have to learn to cuddle up to yourself, be your own cheerleader, look in the mirror, and be grateful. When I see myself, I also visualize my dreams, my ideals, and that allows me to continue even when I'm exhausted.
Many times, one believes that the life of celebrities is simple, without problems.
Oh yes, but the truth is that we also get tired (laughs). For example, sometimes I'm fried and the kids suddenly arrive with their homework at 10 pm, or they have to study for the exam the next day. At that moment, it's time to deliver one last 'shot' of energy anyway, for your family. The soul ends up driving the body.
Did you suffer from impostor syndrome at some point in your career?
Clearly. I think that questioning and having defeatist thoughts has happened to all of us. My environment and the bond with my mother helped me a lot. Surrounding yourself with people who believe in you and support you is basic. My mother, in short, was the one who, when I felt that she couldn't take it anymore or doubted, without questioning me, helped me analyze what she was feeling. She also gave me the freedom to change my ways if I didn't like her anymore. If you want to be a biologist, that's fine. You want to be a scientist, let's try. She told me that I could be everything in life of what I dreamed. I also believe a lot in therapy. She can help you tremendously not to feel like a fraud and find the answer in yourself.
You have been a beautiful woman all your life. How much do you think stereotypes have changed, and how would you define the concept today?
For me, beauty today is having a healthy life. Have a positive routine from the start of the morning. In my case, it is a prayer, a thank you, a meditation, an exercise routine. Eating healthy, drinking water, taking care of my skin, enjoying a good read is also beauty. After all, it is what is fed from the inside out. You don't have to get carried away so much by the social networks, which lately are promoting a uniform beauty, a mandate of how one has to look. Each person is beautiful because of their own particularities.
Your album Mixtape, which reviews some rock hits in Spanish, is already being enjoyed by the world. How was the process of creating this album and what memories has it brought back?
This is a very personal project for me. Landing it has cost me four years of life and having it here is a dream come true. It's inspired by the mixtape era, when we collected music on cassettes. This was my life in youth, with rock songs in Spanish that forged me, freed me, and gave me the strength to seek my authenticity in the midst of fame. Being able to sing some of the most iconic songs of rock in Spanish with my idols from adolescence and explore music with them has moved my heart. I'm very happy.
On the album you also do some 'covers' with new talents, like Kenia Os. What advice would you give to these young stars?
I would tell them that despite the fact that fame can come suddenly, it is important to understand that a career is forged daily and is constant work. They must commit to always keep learning, to keep analyzing and getting to know their audience. If you are a musician, take classes, get trained, learn. Also, stick to your essence, don't lose it despite the exposure.
Here in Peru, you have hundreds of followers: they watch you on soap operas, listen to your music, and are aware of news on social networks. Do you plan to return to the country? What message do you have for them?
My loves from Peru, you really don't know how much I want to go there and say hello. Pour me a cevichito, a leche de tigre. I already wanted it right now! (laughs) I hope to be there very soon. I send a kiss to all of you. Girls, I invite you to never stop shining. Everything can be achieved, you are the very icon of your lives.
Source: El Comercio - Somos
