Alejandra Margarita Ávalos Rodríguez (born October 17, 1968) is a Mexican singer, musician and actress. She began her career in 1980, when she took part in the musical contest La Voz del Heraldo. After receiving a scholarship to study in a two-year training program, she began working as a model; afterwards, she began appearing on television as a supporting actress in 1983; by that time she also provided backing vocals for some recording artists. Since 1984, Ávalos obtained a number of leading roles on stage, including the theatrical productions The Rocky Horror Show and Jesus Christ Superstar. At the time, she began working as a TV host on Televisa. Avalos's breakthrough came in 1986 with her first leading role on television in the successful series El padre Gallo, media referred to Ávalos as "The New Young Super-Star".
In 1987, Ávalos signed to Warner Music Group, afterwards, she released her debut album Ser o No Ser (1988), it was followed by the successful albums Amor Fasciname (1990) and Amor Sin Dueño (1991); a number of singles were taken from such albums, including "Contigo o Sin Tí, "Aparentemente", "Tu Hombre Yo Niña", "Amor Fasciname", "Casualidad" and "Como Puedes Saber"; she also recorded the duet "Te Quiero Así" with José José. Her music also incorporates elements of Mariachi (Mi Corazón Se Regala, 1996), Bolero-pop (Una Mujer, 1999), Big Band (Radio Diva, 2005) and electronic dance music (Te Sigo Queriendo, 2016) among others.
Ávalos portrayed the leading role in the 1995 drama film Perdóname Todo; she also obtained a number of leading roles on television including the teenage drama series Tenías que ser tú (1992) and Soñadoras (1998); on the other hand, Ávalos also starred as the main antagonist in several dramas including Tal como somos (1987), Tiempo de amar (1987), the police procedural Morir dos veces (1996), Siempre te amaré (2000) and Apuesta por un amor (2004).
Ávalos has taken part in several singing competitions, besides becoming a finalist at the Mexican national selection for the OTI Festival during the 1980s and 1990s, and later at the Viña del Mar International Song Festival in the 2000s.
In 2018, for the first time in over 30 years, Ávalos starred in a big budget musical, playing Doña Mariquita in the 4D stage production Capricho-LivExperience, an adaptation of Miguel Barnet's multi-awarded coming-of-age novel Canción de Rachel; furthermore, the artist released her eighth studio album México Majestuoso Vol.I on the same day as its counterpart México Majestuoso Vol. II; the digital version was released on October 31, as a double album; produced and co-written by Ávalos, it became the first double release in her career, an homage to the greatest singer-songwriters through Mexico's folk music history.
On December 18, 2022, Ávalos, competed and eventually, she became one of the winners during the Final competition of the reality cooking show MasterChef Celebrity México, accompanied by her daughter, the Italian entrepreneur and fashion model Valentina Benaglio.
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Early life
Ávalos was born on October 17, 1968, in Mexico City as the eldest child of Carlos Mario Ávalos y Solano and Ninfa Margarita Rodríguez, a model during the 1960s. Ávalos had a Catholic upbringing. She has an older brother – José Alberto Ávalos. Her father was an architect, government official and writer, who died in 2016 at the age of 84. Ávalos attended Universidad IberoAmericana, where she studied for a bachelor's degree in communications. On July 19, 1996, Ávalos gave birth to her first daughter, taking a one-year hiatus to take care of her child. Her daughter, the Italian-Mexican model Valentina Benaglio,
earned a bachelor's degree in communications at Universidad IberoAmericana; Benaglio was a brand strategist, writer and redactor in several fashion magazines in Mexico city; then, she moved to New York City, where she became an entrepreneur, data scientist, brand creator and corporate manager.
Career
1979–1983: Early work
During the late 1970s and early 1980s, Ávalos was involved in a number of competitions, but it was not until 1980 when she took part in a major event, La Voz del Heraldo, one of the most important musical contests in Mexico; although she was not officially registered, Ávalos took part in the competition, singing songs by Juan Carlos Calderón, but she was disqualified; nevertheless, she was given a scholarship to study for two years at Centro de Capacitación de los Iniciadores de la Televisión Mexicana. Since her professional debut at La Voz del Heraldo, Ávalos has been performing within a wide vocal range; she has been classified as a mezzosoprano. In 1983, Ávalos obtained an offer by The Coca-Cola Company´s Sidral Mundet to appear as a model in a TV commercial; later, Ávalos had her first acting work, she appeared uncredited as a nurse in the 1983 drama "Amalia Batista". At the time, Ávalos took part in the contest "Festival de la canción de la Ibero", she won first place unanimously; then she was given another scholarship among 4000 aspirants to study at Centro de Capacitación Mexicana (Televisa); her acting coach Sergio Jiménez, referred to Ávalos as "The most energetic and outstanding student".
1984–1988: Mainstream success, theater, and debut album
After some modeling work, Ávalos began appearing in several stage productions in 1984; first, portraying supporting roles and providing backing vocals in plays such as El Títere-Pinocchio by Chespirito or Fausto Musical, subsequently she portrayed the leading role of Mary Magdalene on Jesus Christ Superstar, initially, she was the replacement; Ávalos also provided lead and backing vocals on stage and the official LP. In 1985, Ávalos continued her work on stage, and became the TV host on El Mundo de VideoCentro, a documentary series about the history of the international film industry; on the other hand, Ávalos recorded what was supposed to be her debut studio album alongside the successful production team Kiko Campos Archived January 18, 2018, at the Wayback Machine-Fernando Riba Archived January 18, 2018, at the Wayback Machine; the release of her new wave/Italian rock-oriented album was cancelled. Meanwhile, Ávalos was hired by several teenage groups as a backing vocalist.
In 1986, Ávalos was hired to portray the leading role of Janet Weiss in the successful stage production The Rocky Horror Show. She also obtained the leading role on "Robin Hood". Soon after, Ávalos provided backing and lead vocals for the 1986 FIFA World Cup official album Bienvenidos – Viva México '86 by Spanish tenor Plácido Domingo.
Later, in that year, Televisa's CEO Emilio Azcárraga Milmo hired Ávalos to play her first leading role on TV, in the highly rated soap-opera "El padre Gallo", she portrayed both female and male characters. At the time, media referred to Ávalos as "The New Young Super-Star. In 1987, Ávalos made a number of notable appearances on TV, she portrayed the main antagonist in two drama series, "Tal como somos" co-starring Enrique Álvarez Félix; and "Tiempo de amar" by Silvia Pinal, co-starring Fernando Allende; on the other hand, Ávalos obtained the leading role of La Malinche on the stage production "Malinche Opera – Una epopeya musical" about the fall of the Aztec Empire.
After several years of modeling, acting work and studio recordings, Ávalos met Hispavox CEO Honorio Herrero in Spain in 1987, who previously worked for Luis Miguel´s breakout recording Palabra de Honor; afterwards, Ávalos signed to Warner Music Group after a meeting in Spain between Herrero and the WEA executive chairman René León. At the time, Ávalos made her first appearance as a soloist for an international broadcasting on "Siempre en Domingo", performing a ten-minute Broadway-medley that included "West Side Story", "The Rocky Horror Show", "Jesus Christ Superstar" and "Zoot Suit", host Raúl Velasco said "..you have to take your hat off to Ávalos".
1989–1994: Height of fame, and departure from Warner Bros.
In the fall of 1989, Ávalos finished recording the album "Amor Fasciname" in Madrid, Spain; at the same time, Ávalos released the promotional recording "Cielo Rojo (live)", a folk-huapango song, which required the use of the falsetto technique. Later in December, Ávalos released the first promo from the upcoming album, the title track "Amor Fasciname", soon after, in January 1990, both the physical single and the album were officially released; at the time, "Amor Fasciname" became the best-selling single by the artist; the album provided a number of successful songs, including the electronic rock/new wave track "Lo Que Pasó Pasó", and "Contigo o Sin Tí", a power ballad for which, she filmed her first official music video. Other notable singles are "Casualidad", "Tres Veces No", "Amame" "Nada Nuevo Bajo El Sol" and "Dos Veces", the latter was originally written and recorded by Ávalos in 1982. By the time, Ávalos released the successful new wave single "Ámame Hoy". Simultaneously, she released a Spanish version of the song "We'll Be Together", originally by British musician Sting. In October, she made her second consecutive appearance at the 19th Mexican national selection for the OTI Festival; unlike the previous year, she became one of the finalists with the song "Viernes primero", written for her once again by Pedro Alberto Cárdenas; 24 years later, she released alongside other Festival OTI Nacional finalists a compilation album, and they went on tour.
In 1991, screenwriter Laura Esquivel offered Ávalos the leading role of "Tita" in the Golden Globe nominee film Like Water for Chocolate "(Como Agua Para Chocolate)", she was the original choice, but she turned down the offer. Soon after, Ávalos starred in the romance-thriller "Amor y Venganza", she also recorded the soundtrack.
After being named "The Show-Woman of México" by media, Ávalos released her third album under WEA, "Amor Sin Dueño", produced by Calderón in collaboration with John Robinson and Paul Jackson Jr.; recorded at Sunset Sound Recorders Studios, Hollywood, CA. and Madrid Spain, it became her last studio recording under Warner Brothers; the album spawned several hit singles, including "No No No", "Obligame" (ft vocals by K. C. Porter), "Amor Sin Dueño" and "Volverás y Volveré"; nevertheless, the most successful songs were the lead single "Aparentemente", and the signature single "Como Puedes Saber", During the second half of 1991, Ávalos embarked on the "Amor Sin Dueño" Tour, which included night club and massive live performances; it lasted until mid-1995, and reached its peak in 1993, when Ávalos created the project "Show de Gala Internacional", that included several multiple changes of stage and costumes, and multiple music genres such as rock, electronica, Big band, bolero, mariachi, funk, latin ballad and Rhythm and blues. In December, Ávalos released the single "Tu-Ru-Ra", featuring vocals by Fher, from Maná. On February 18, 1992, Warner music released "Amor Sin Dueño" in the United States.
1995–1999: Move to Epic, folk music and acting success
In 1995, Ávalos signed a recording contract with Epic Records, all the previous demos for her unreleased fourth album with Warner Bros. were discarded; afterwards, at the request of her new record label, she began recording songs in other different genres, including Bolero, ranchero and mariachi. In March 1995, the premiere of the highly anticipated drama film "Perdóname Todo" is carried out, Ávalos portrayed an emerging talent, victim of emotional and physical abuse by her alcoholic husband, a decadent musician, portrayed by iconic singer José José; at the same time, both José and Ávalos released the successful ballad "Te Quiero Así", the main theme from the film; the song had its premiere during the 1995 "El Heraldo de México" awards. It became the last acting work for both Jose and co-star Claudio Brook.
In September 1995, Ávalos released the successful Bolero single "Para Olvidarme De Tí" distributed by Universal Music and Melody; right before moving to Epic Records and Sony Music, in the same month, she made her last live performance as a pop-rock act on Siempre en Domingo, Ávalos sang both "Para Olvidarme de Tí" and "Como Puedes Saber", one of her best-selling singles, released in 1991.
Subsequently, Ávalos officially began her career as a Mariachi performer during the "II Encuentro Internacional del Mariachi" held in Guadalajara, Mexico; she was named by the media "La Madrina y Reina del Mariachi de México" in 1995 and 1996. In late 1995, Ávalos officially closed a recording deal with Epic Records, subsequently, she finished recording "Mi Corazón se Regala", her first Mariachi studio album, It was released in IberoAmerica in 1996, and in the United States in February 1997. The album spawned a number of successful songs, including "Mi Corazón se Regala" (lead single accompanied by a music video), "Pena Negra" and "Si Tu Cuerpo", all of them released in 1996; later, it was released "Ayer Hablé Con Mi Orgullo" (lead single in the United States accompanied by a music video).
In 1996, Ávalos obtained one of the leading roles in the police television drama "Morir dos veces", co-starring Eduardo Palomo; Ávalos portrayed the main antagonist, a female federal police officer. At the time, Ávalos portrayed one of the main antagonists in the highly rated TV series "La Antorcha Encendida"; an historical drama which described the events during the independence of Mexico from the Spanish Empire. Soon after, Ávalos released a Spanish version of the 1946 Disney song "Song of the South" called "Siembra Dulzura"; all the royalties were donated to the Rarámuri-Tarahumara people.
2000–present: Big band, electronic music and upcoming projects
By the new millennium, Ávalos saw renewed success by her main villain role in the successful drama series "Siempre te amaré", she portrayed a serial killer who suffered from multiple personality disorder. In July 2001, the Quintana Roo state government hired Ávalos to write and recording a theme called "Mi Quintana Roo", to promote tourism in Cancun, and archaeological site Tulum; it was accompanied by a promotional video. In late 2000, Ávalos once again portrayed the leading role of "Doña Inés" on stage for the musical comedy version of "Don Juan Tenorio".
In 2001, Ávalos launched an art exhibition in collaboration with American artist Nadine Markova called "Sexaciones", it was released in order to spread social and environmental awareness, and addressed multiple topics including sexual harassment, menstruation and international political conflicts. The inauguration was held at Plaza de la Ciudadela, Historic center of Mexico City and in the multi-cultural neighborhood Polanco, Mexico City, it was attended by many personalities from the political and cultural environment including painter/sculptor José Luis Cuevas. The royalties from the exhibition were donated to HIV/AIDS and Breast cancer foundations.
In 2002, Ávalos finished recording 20 tracks, all of them written and produced by the artist herself, for an upcoming pop-rock/electronica album called "Evolución"; the songs were recorded in English, Spanish and Italian language versions. In 2003, Ávalos resigned from her record label Sony Music, therefore, the expected follow-up album "Evolución" was scrapped. In 2004, after a brief hiatus, having spent time facing problems in her personal and professional life, Ávalos portrayed the main antagonist in the successful romance-drama "Apuesta por un amor".
By the time, Ávalos signed to Orfeón, a record label focused on classical and rock and roll music; afterwards in 2005, she released her first full-length Big band album, "Radio Diva" recorded in Mexico City and New York; she became one of the first IberoAmerican mainstream acts to dabble in such genre; the album which also contained elemements of jazz, blues, rock music and Electronic dance music features a range of standards from various eras, including "Enamorada" by Consuelo Velázquez, "Green Eyes" – "(Aquellos Ojos Verdes)", "Quizás, Quizás, Quizás" among other classical pieces. The album had its premiere on VIP Big Brother LatinAmerica and broadcast on SKY; at the time, Ávalos was a contestant on Big Brother VIP IV.
Other activities
Business endeavours
Having signed a deal with Avon Products, Ávalos became the new model of the 1986 cosmetic ad campaign. In 1989, Ávalos signed a contract with Bacardi Limited to be the face of its official media ad campaign from 1990 to 1993, supported by other actors including Eugenio Derbez. In 2002, Ávalos launched a line of beauty-related products and cosmetics derived from natural sources.
Humanitarian and charity work
Avalos' humanitarian efforts have revolved around AIDS, cancer, poverty, animal rights, little children with disabilities and construction-renovation of public buildings, among other causes.
