| Ana Bárbara | |
|---|---|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Altagracia Ugalde Mota |
| Born | January 10, 1971 |
| Origin | Rio Verde, San Luis Potosí, Mexico |
| Genres | Grupera, Mariachi, Latin pop, Cumbia, Banda |
| Occupations | Singer, Songwriter, Producer, Actress |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 1993–present |
| Labels | Fonovisa (1994-2009) AB Productions (2009–present) |
| Website | Ana Bárbara Verified Twitter |
Ana Bárbara (born January 10, 1971 in Rio Verde, San Luis Potosí) is a Mexican Latin Grammy Award winner, songwriter, producer, and Grammy-nominated recording artist.[1]
Ana Bárbara took interest in music at a young age. She was particularly influenced by her older sister, Viviana Ugalde, who was a popular singer locally. Ana Bárbara was inspired by her sister's performances when she decided she wanted to be a singer herself. Today, Ugalde represents Ana Bárbara as her artistic manager.[2]
In 1988 Ana Bárbara entered the local Miss Universe-sponsored Miss Mexico pageant representing her native state of San Luis Potosí; she lost at the national level.. Ana Bárbara moved forward as she began to sing professionally at a variety of events and festivals. In 1990 she seized an opportunity to tour Colombia as a singer representing her country.[3]
In 1993, Ana Bárbara was proclaimed the Ambassador of Ranchera Music; she also earned the Rostro Bonito de El Heraldo ("El Heraldo's Beautiful Face") award. As a result, she was invited to perform during Mass at The Vatican for Pope John Paul II, but when Mass neared its close and she still hadn't been given her chance to sing, she decided to interrupt the proceedings so that she could command the attention of the Pope, for whom she began to sing. The Pope blessed and wished her luck with her career.[3]
In 1994, she signed with Fonovisa, Televisa's music company. Under the Fonovisa label, she launched her first CD, the self-titled Ana Bárbara produced and largely written by Aníbal Pastor. Songs like Sacúdeme and Nada helped make Ana Bárbara a Mexican Grupero star on the rise.[4]
Ana Bárbara released her second album titled La Trampa in July 1995, also produced by Anibal Pastor. This second album helped Ana Bárbara receive accolades from industry award shows as well as great reviews from the press. It spawned consecutive hits, such as Me Asusta Pero Me Gusta and La Trampa, that topped "Billboard's Hot Latin Tracks" and established her as "La Reina Grupera" ("Queen of Grupero Music").
By summer of 1996, she had become international. The release of her third album Ay, Amor solidified her as a successful Latin recording artist.[5] Her appearance and dancing style captivated audience during promotional tours around the world with hit songs like No Lloraré and Ya No Te Creo Nada.[5]
In 1997 she debut her first and only calendar. Coors Light beer also selected Ana Bárbara as their Hispanic figure for promotional advertising. Later that year she returned to Miami, Florida for the annual Calle 8 Music Festival where she was named Queen of the annual celebration.
In 1998, Ana Bárbara released her fourth album produced in its entirely by singer, songwriter, and producer Marco Antonio Solís. The album, titled Los Besos No Se Dan En La Camisa, was largely a ballads album with only one Grupero-style song. This album included a duet and background vocals by Solis, as well as a cover of Como Me Haces Falta, originally sung by Los Bukis in 1982. The album was a minor setback as the lead single became the only commercially successful track to chart in Latin America, México, and the United States; however, it still garnered her various industry award trophies.
In 1999, Ana Bárbara released her fifth studio album titled Tu Decisión, produced by Anibal Pastor. One of his two songwriting credits, Engañada, became the album's most notable hit. Tu Decisión was also notable in songwriting terms because it marked Ana Bárbara's debut as a songwriter.[3] In the same year she also debuted as an actress, starring in the made-for-TV film Todo Contigo; the film was intended for stateside consumption, via Hispanic network Televisa. The theme song for the movie Todo Contigo was included in the album Tu Decisión.
In 2000, Ana Bárbara took a short break in order to dedicate time to birth of her first child, Emiliano. She was briefly out of the limelight but quickly returned to the music scene in 2001 with a new release titled Te Regalo La Lluvia. The album was a challenge to her custom Grupero sound because it was recorded entirely in Mariachi style music and produced by songwriter Fato. Critics who had written off Ana Bárbara as simply a grupero novelty built chiefly upon sex appeal consequently took her and her music a bit more seriously afterward. As Ana Bárbara toured for Te Regalo La Lluvia, she began preparations for a comeback Grupero-style album.[3]
After several years as a recording artist, Ana Bárbara became more involved in her music creation and arrangement process. By the fall of 2003 she released Te Atraparé...Bandido, and Loca de Amar quickly followed in early 2005. Each album helped Ana Bárbara remain a dominant figure in the Regional Mexican genre. She debuted as producer for the albums alongside Carlos Cabral, Jr.; together Te Atraparé...Bandido and Loca de Amar spawned popular chart-topping singles such as Bandido, Deja, Loca, and Lo Busqué, which dominated "Billboard's Hot Latin Tracks",[3] as well as earning her important accolades from various music industry award shows.
In April 2005, she participated in Selena ¡VIVE!, a tribute concert held in honor of the 10th Anniversary of the death of Latino star Selena, the "Queen of Tejano music", which was held on April 7, 2005 at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas. The special tribute was produced by Spanish-language network Univision, and was the most watched Spanish-language television special in US history. Ana Bárbara produced and co-wrote a new version of "La Carcacha", which sampled Selena's original version along with her own personal style and unique sound.
In July 2005, she began a relationship with Mariana Levy's widower, José María Fernández, an architect commonly known as Pirru. They were engaged in October 2005 and wed a few months later.[2] Their marriage; however, ended by mid 2010, after nearly five years.[6]
In 2005, she produced the debut album for Mexican duo Los Elegidos (Ana Bárbara's brothers).[7] The album titled Tal y Como Somos, sampled Regional Mexican Banda music. Ana Bárbara wrote and composed several tracks on the album, including debut song titled Fruta Prohibida, which topped "Billboard's Hot Latin Tracks" chart and also helped Los Elegidos reach popularity in México and the United States. In 2006, she produced their second album titled Niña Mimada.
By the fall of 2005, Ana Bárbara was awarded her first Latin Grammy for Loca de Amar, which won Best Grupero Album at the 6th Annual Latin Grammy Ceremony held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. This was Ana Bárbara's Grammy debut with a special acoustic performance of Lo Busqué and Loca.[8]
In May 2006, Ana Bárbara released her final album with record label Fonovisa; titled No Es Brujería. Lead single No Es Brujeria fared well on "Billboard's Hot Latin Tracks", but the promotion was quickly stalled after announcing her second pregnancy.[9] Later that year Ana Bárbara relocated to the resort city of Cancún, México where she resided from 2006 through late 2011, with her children Emiliano (born in 2000) and José María (born in 2006). From 2006 through 2009, Ana Bárbara put her musical career on hold in order to dedicate time to her new family.[3]
During her time-off from the music business, she opted on her entrepreneur side by joining the food-industry business. She opened an exclusive restaurant titled Chocalate City, located in Cancún, Quintana Roo, México.[10]
In early 2008, Ana Bárbara expanded her entrepreneur side once again by co-sponsoring and partnering with Los Elegidos to open a nightclub titled Bandido. The night-club was located in Cancún, Quintana, Roo México, but it closed down one year later.
In July 2008, she participated in a tribute concert for legendary Mexican icon José José. She performed a classic José José hit titled Lo Pasado, Pasado; and was acclaimed for one of the night's highlight performances and for being on the "best dressed" list.[11]
In April 2009, Ana Bárbara topped People en Español Los 50 Más Bellos list. She was featured on the cover of this prestigious Hispanic magazine alongside Maite Perroni, Eva Longoria, and Ana de la Reguera, among others.[12]
After four years of musical absence, Ana Bárbara remained a popular favorite in the music entertainment industry. AllMusic.com said: "Ana Bárbara has not only dominated the Grupero movement, but she is one of the driving forces behind the Grupero-style realization."[3] In July 2009, Ana Bárbara was featured on the cover of People en Español where she talked about the release of her 10th studio album; the appearance marked the third time that Ana Bárbara has been on the cover of the Hispanic celebrity magazine, once in 2005 and twice in 2009.[13]
By the fall of 2009, Ana Bárbara introduced Rompiendo Cadenas, a bouncy Urban/Pop track with Grupero elements, produced by Dominican duo Luny Tunes featuring new Reggaeton artists Dyland & Lenny.[14] The music video for Rompiendo Cadenas was filmed in La Habana, Cuba and premiered on her official website in October 2009;[15] Rompiendo Cadenas debuted at number 39 on Billboard's "Latin Pop Songs" on November 12, 2009.[16] Two alternate versions of song Rompiendo Cadenas premiered on iTunes; one in Banda and another in Acustic version.
When Ana Bárbara introduced Rompiendo Cadenas to the Associated Press in January 2010 she described why the early departure from Fonovisa Records since she was still under contract for one more album. Ana Bárbara stated that Fonovisa perceived her new material as "too risky" since she was "author and producer of all tracks", and instead they ordered to reconsider and change the music style, or terminate the contract.[17] Ana Bárbara, on the other hand, was grateful for their honesty and immediately launched Rompiendo Cadenas via independent record label AB Productions. The new album revealed more of a mainstream Pop genre, but included her custom Grupero traits; it consisted of included eleven new recordings, such as Que Ironía, No Te Vayas, and No Me Imagino, among others.[18] Rompiendo Cadenas included the collaboration of producers such as Guillermo Gil, Luny Tunes, Javier Calderon, and Ana Bárbara herself as executive producer.
In February 2010 Ana Bárbara hosted a series of events for Hispanic networks Univision and TeleFutura. She and Puerto Rican singer Víctor Manuelle hosted the 2010 Premio Lo Nuestro Awards live from Miami, Florida.[19] Ana Bárbara was voted amongst the top finalists for the most elegant dressed celebrity. The following day she paticipated in a star-studded remake of "We Are the World", titled Somos El Mundo along with the filming of the music video.[20][21] In the same month, Ana Bárbara also hosted a televised music special in honor of the late Selena. She also participated as a judge for another Selena tribute titled Buscando la doble de Selena.[22]
In April 2010, Ana Bárbara introduced second single Que Ironia from Rompiendo Cadenas, which included rock and pop versions. The song was originally written for pop diva Gloria Trevi, but after Ana Bárbara's own son Emiliano reassured her confidence, she decided to record the song and make it her own.[23] A music video premiered the following month.
In May 2010, Ana Bárbara introduced two new songs via her official Twitter page.[24] The first track was a featured duet with Mexican singer songwriter Reyli titled Ahora Tengo; the track's music video was filmed in New York and premiered in June 2010. The next song was Alma Perdida, the official theme song for Univision's mini-series Mujeres Asesinas 3.[25][26]
In June 2010, tabloid magazines and entertainment television shows speculated over divorce rumors between Ana Bárbara and José María Fernández Pirru, and that they were ending their nearly five year marriage due to his infidelity.[27] On July 2, 2010 Ana Bárbara released a press statement confirming the end of her marriage.[6] Two months after the split, Ana Bárbara confirmed a new romantic relationship with wealthy business man Elias Sacal, but that also went sour only after a few months.[28]
In late July 2010, Ana Bárbara was involved in a car accident in Cancún, Mexico, that left a 79-year-old woman dead; the incident sparked a media circus. Authorities arrested Ana Bárbara's driver (bodyguard and family friend). Eyewitnesses, however, told the victim's family that it was Ana Bárbara who was driving. She denied the accusations and any wrongdoing. Due to immense media pressure, Ana Bárbara granted network Televisa an exclusive interview where she broke down in tears and asked the victim's family for forgiveness. She also stated that on-scene police authorities allowed for her to leave the scene since they had apprehended the driver. The victim's daughter used several media outlets to blast Ana Bárbara and accuse her of being the driver. Ana Bárbara was exonerated after Mexican authorities found no evidence that could have linked her behind the wheel.[29] They also informed that she still may face civil charges for being the registered owner of the vehicle involved in the accident.[30][31][32] In December 2010, Mexico's CNDH (Human Resources National Committee) recommended that the governor and Municipal President of Quintana Roo review the case after a petition was filed by the family of the victim claiming investigative fallacies. Ana Bárbara was called to re-testify after the appeal in the case but was found innocent of any legal wrongdoing once again. Munguía was free on bail while the case was pending, but in October 2011 he pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter.[33] [34] He is currently awaiting sentancing and can face up to four years behind bars.
The majority of Ana Bárbara's albums have been recognized by either the Latin Grammy Awards or the traditional Grammy Awards. She has received a total of five Latin Grammy nominations for albums, Tu Decisión, Te Regalo La Lluvia, Te Atraparé... Bandido, Loca de Amar (won), and No Es Brujería which also received another nomination in the traditional Grammy Awards. Her former record label Fonovisa said "these recognitions are a milestone accomplishment in Ana Bárbara's career that spans more than a decade of uninterrupted success in the United States, México and Latin America."[8]
During Ana Bárbara's seventeen year career span, she has been awarded four "Premio Lo Nuestro" a la Musica Latina awards in the Regional Mexican Best Female Artist category, with a total of 10 nominations overall. She won in the following years: 1996, 1997, 1998, and in 2006.[35]
She has also received a total of seven "Premio Furia Musical" awards, as well three "Premio El Heraldo" trophies for Best New Artist in 1994 and Best Female Singer in 1997 and 2000.
She also won a Casandra Award (which is the Dominican version of the Grammy's) in 2002 for Most Outstanding International Artist, as well as Mexico's Premios Oye! award in 2006 for Best Female Performer (Mexico's version of the Grammy's).
On February 3, 2011, Ana Bárbara was involved in a second car accident in Cancún, Quintana Roo. Traffic officer Abraham Coutino says no one was injured and her insurance will pay for the damage to the other vehicle. Officials in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo say the singer was driving an SUV that hit the back of another vehicle at a stop light. Ana Bárbara was highly criticized by the media; she asked the general public via Twitter not to believe the over sensationalized paparazzi coverage over the minor fender bender accident.[36][37]
After splitting from ex-husband, José María Fernández Pirru over a year ago, a 40-year-old Ana Bárbara announced in August 2011 that she is expecting her third child via artificial insemination. She decided to undergo the procedure after sons Emiliano and Jose María told her they wanted a bigger family. Ana Bárbara said she expects to be criticized for her decision to have a child without a father and that she won’t let the criticism bother her. "I felt my puzzle was missing a piece and now it's complete," she told the Méxican edition of ¡Hola! magazine. She plans to name the child Jerónimo.[38][39] She gave birth to her third child, Jerónimo, on December 22, 2011 in México City, México.
Ana Bárbara's latest projects included her debut in a Mexican soap opera titled Una Familia Con Suerte; the cameo role was her official debut as an actress in a soap opera.[40] Ana Bárbara also sang the soap opera's theme song titled Suerte which premiered on iTunes in spring 2011.
After rumors that Ana Bárbara was battling depression and anorexia, she confirmed via Twitter in late March that she "had an illness" and was receiving treatment overseas in Spain to improve her overall well being.[41] In July, Ana Bárbara confirmed that she is moving from México and relocating to the United States in 2012.[42]
Her new album is being recorded in Miami and Los Angeles and is due by spring 2012.
In early January 2012, Ana Bárbara will release a new single dedicated to her newborn son titled Refugio Para El Amor. The track will also appear as the theme song to a new Televisa soap opera, which will debut later in 2012.