Her debut solo studio album, Primero Soy Mexicana (2018), was met with critical acclaim and success. She has been nominated for a Grammy Award and two Latin Grammy Awards, becoming one of the youngest artists nominated for both awards.
Early life
Ángela Aguilar Álvarez Alcalá was born to Pepe Aguilar and Aneliz Álvarez Alcalá in Los Angeles, California on October 8, 2003, while her father was on tour.[2] She was named after her great-grandmother Ángela Márquez Barraza Valle her father's paternal grandmother. Aguilar has dual citizenship with Mexico and the United States.[3] Aguilar was born into a musical family, known as "La Dinastía Aguilar" (The Aguilar Dynasty).[4] Since a young age, Aguilar has frequently accompanied her father on tour throughout Latin America alongside her brother, Leonardo Aguilar.[5]
In July 2018, Aguilar partnered with Voto Latino to encourage more Latino Americans to vote in American elections.[6]
Career
2012-2017: Career beginnings
In 2012, at nine years old, Aguilar released Nueva Tradición, alongside her brother, Leonardo. It featured four songs by Leonardo and four by Ángela.[5] In 2016, Aguilar participated in the BBC 100 Woman festival in Mexico City. At 13 years old, she was the youngest performer of the festival. She told BBC News that the music industry was dominated by men and hoped it would change.[7]
In January 2018, Aguilar and her family launched an equestrian-musical style tour dubbed "Jaripeo Sin Fronteras". Aguilar accompanied her father, Pepe, her uncle Antonio, and her brother, Leonardo.[8]
2018-present: Primero Soy Mexicana and Mexicana Enamorada
Aguilar in 2018
On March 2, 2018, Aguilar released her first solo album, Primero Soy Mexicana, produced by her father, Pepe. The album featured eleven well-known ranchera songs previously performed by other prominent music artist,s such as Lucha Villa, Rocio Durcal, and her grandmother, Flor Silvestre.[9] Aguilar performed the album's first single, "Tu Sangre en Mi Cuerpo" at the 2018 Premios Tu Mundo.[10] On September 20, Aguilar was nominated for Best New Artist, and her album, Primero Soy Mexicana was nominated for Best Ranchero/Mariachi Album at the 19th Annual Latin Grammy Awards.[11][12] At the ceremony, she performed "La Llorona", where she received a standing ovation from the audience.[13] Aguilar received widespread praise from various artists, including Mexican ranchera singer Vicente Fernández for her performance.[14] On December 7, Aguilar's album Primero Soy Mexicana, was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Regional Mexican Music Album.[15][3]
On April 3, 2019, Aguilar was named the Artistic and Cultural Ambassador of Zacatecas, Mexico by Mayor Ulises Mejía Haro.[16][17] On May 21, Aguilar was nominated for three awards at the 2019 Premios Juventud. She performed a medley of songs alongside mariachi singers Christian Nodal and Pipe Bueno.[18] On July 23, Aguilar released an exclusive cover performance of "Shallow" on the Recording Academy's YouTube page, with permission from its songwriter, Lady Gaga.[19][20] It was the first time that Aguilar recorded music in English.[21]
On January 31, 2020, Aguilar released a tribute EP to American singer, Selena, titled Baila Esta Cumbia.[22] On September 24, 2021, she released her second solo album, Mexicana Enamorada.[23] On April 1, she released "En Realidad", the first single from her third solo studio album.[24]
Personal life
Aguilar was born into a musical family, known as "La Dinastía Aguilar". Aguilar's father is Mexican singer Pepe Aguilar, her paternal grandparents are Mexican singer-actors Antonio Aguilar and Flor Silvestre, her uncle is Antonio Aguilar, Jr., and her brother is Leonardo Aguilar.[25] On June 10, 2024, Aguilar confirmed her relationship with the Mexican singer Christian Nodal.[26] On July 24, 2024, they were married in a private ceremony in the Hacienda San Gabriel de las Palmas, located in the state of Morelos, near Lake Tequesquitengo.[27]
