Yolanda Medina is one of the Peruvian cumbia singers who has the greatest popularity on stage. Although the Chiclayan could have forged her career as a soloist, she preferred to continue with Alma Bella, a group she founded almost 25 years ago. In an interview with La República, she talks about her upcoming anniversary and what it means to be in charge of a female group.
Yolanda Medina Hurtado, 46, referred to the constant criticism he has received about his physique and his friendship with Pamela Franco, whom he defended when rumors began about her relationship with Christian Cueva. In addition, the performer took the opportunity to promote her new song ‘Cosas de él’.
—What is your assessment of your 24 years doing cumbia?
—We are leaving for the 25th, from 1999 to 2024. We are on the verge of our anniversary, preparing something beautiful and different. We are preparing in a way that we can surprise with our beautiful anniversary.
—Could there be a reunion with the former members of Alma Bella?
—We have so many girls who have come out of the Alma Bella quarries and the reunions are fabulous. We would love for our people, who were born here, to participate again in this anniversary. You are fully invited and I am going to look for them one by one.
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—How complicated is it to lead a group of all women?
—Normally, here they grab each other’s hair (he jokes). We have formed a beautiful family… there will always be disagreements, there will always be people who we disagree with, but we always talk about it. What we don’t like about one or the other, we talk about and that’s why we are a group. We need to work and I believe that unity is strength.
Yolanda Medina praises her Alma Bella girls
—How do you make sure it’s not Yolanda Medina and her backup singers?
—Here there are no backup singers, here all the girls are first voices. We are a group, that’s why the group is called Alma Bella and not Yolanda Medina and the chorus girls. I’m not sending them back, we are a complete forward. Why hide these girls who are wonderful, with great voices and great talent? They encourage, they sing and that is what we deliver to the public.
—Aren’t you afraid of being overshadowed?
-Not because If I wanted to be a soloist and I want to shine alone, why do I want a group? I want my group to shine completely and I always try to show it because I sell a complete group. My girls have a wonderful talent, I know that each of us has our own thing, we complement each otherthat’s why I always like to show the girls’ talent.
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—However, many of them left and have returned. Aren’t you a spiteful boss?
—There are times when some girls have to leave for other jobs that, suddenly, are more paid or also because they have things that make them come up. There are girls who left and have their careers. I always applaud people when they get ahead and I feel proud of what they achieve, which is the most important thing.
Yolanda Medina ignores criticism from the networks
—How do you deal with criticism about your physique on social networks?
—We have all learned not to live off of people’s criticism, but on how we feel. They can tell me a thousand things, but you shouldn’t pay attention to social networks, because behind them there are people who are depressed, who are really frustrated and who can insult you behind a keyboard. If it makes them happy, good (for them); But our own lives have to make us happy. Not everyone is going to like our body, but we must avoid taking risks (surgical interventions). You have to exercise and have a balanced diet, which is what they do.
—What do you think of the case of Doll Milly, who underwent the operation due to mockery of her physique?
—We have all discussed it and it does affect us. People say “you are an artist and you have to endure.” No, I am an artist, but I am a human being. Enough of keeping our mouths shut and having to receive blows and blows. Each of us defends ourselves at our own discretion. When they say something to me, I respond. I think that among women it is more the attack and that is very sad. It’s sad that we criticize ourselves in that way.
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—Is your friendship with Pamela Franco still standing?
—Of course, with all of them… with Pamela Franco, with Leysi Suárez, with Anabel Torres. All the girls who have left (Alma Bella) are grateful to have set foot in this female cumbia university. It’s been so many years and the girls have learned a little so that now they can be the artists they are.
—Do you think the storm has passed for Pamela Franco?
—The storm is not going to pass, but at least calm is coming and we wish her the best in her career, in her personal and artistic achievements (…) Over time, everything is erased, it depends on her. Women are very cruel sometimes, even more than a man. Tell everyone that we are not perfect, that we have mistakes and virtues. If your life is perfect, great! Stay in your bubble. If you want to help another woman, you’re not going to help her with an insult. If you don’t like her, it’s better not to criticize her.