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Paulina Rubio: Girl on the Verge CDNOW catches an earful about girl power, Mexican style, from Border Girl Paulina Rubio. By Eliseo Cardona CDNOW Senior Editor, Latin With Paulino Rubio, the latest Latin crossover sensation, what you see is what you get. The Mexican singer and pop star is as electric and all-over-the-place onstage as she is off. She calls this state of being energized the "adrenaline factor" that "kicks right in" like a tequila shot when she's performing, recording, or giving interviews to the press. "Hey, life is about living to the fullest. If there's energy in the body, use it," Rubio told CDNOW backstage at Miami Beach's Crobar club. "When I started in this business I knew it was for me," she continues. "I wanted a wild ride, and that's what I'm getting." Rubio grew up in an artistic environment. The daughter of Mexican film and soap opera icon Susana Dosamantes, Rubio started singing and dancing at age 7. "Before that, I was reading a lot," she confesses, "because my parents were very strict with my education." While still in her teens, Rubio joined the Mexican pop group Timbiriche -- which counted another up-and-coming Mexican diva named Thalia among its ranks. Then, like most alumnae of Mexico's teen pop star machine, Rubio compounded her musical success through acting -- appearing on a telenovela called Pasión y Poder before landing the lead role in a series called Baila Conmigo. But it was in 1991 when she went solo that her career really took off. Now, more than 10 years later and with a string of successful Latin pop albums under her belt, Rubio is poised to follow Shakira with her first English language album, Border Girl. CDNOW took the occasion to catch up with Rubio and get an earful about girl power, Mexican style. CDNOW: You've always been a "border girl," so what's new now? Paulina Rubio: The language. This was the right time to record a full-length English-language album. And, hell, you're right about always being a "border girl." "When I started in this business, I knew it was for me. I wanted a wild ride, and that's what I'm getting."And being a "border girl" means? It means being in that place where everything and anything goes. It's more a state of mind, but isn't that what a border is supposed to be? Everything comes together at the border, and you get the best and the worst from many places. It's a no-man's land [laughs]. But musically speaking ... Musically speaking, it meant mixing different things, tossing in the new and the old, making fusion work. That's what this album is all about. It's the past and the future. And in English, of course. In English, because English is the universal language … It's the language of globalization. And Spanish isn't global? Well, Spanish, too. But Spanish, for me, is the language of romance and Latin passion. Am I talking in clichés here? [laughs] Ah, it doesn't matter. What's important is that this music will kick ass. In what way? In many ways. It's different. I feel proud of my album. I think we did a great job. Is there another side of Paulina we don't know or haven't seen yet? What do you mean? You say you're wild ... What other side do you want to see? Some say you're also book smart … Oh, yeah. But I can't go around being too wordy, if you know what I mean. I'm about energy and positive vibes. Is having energy and positive vibes better than being educated? No, no, don't take it that way. What I said is that my music is about fun and good vibes. I don't like to be a wordy girl. But talking about feminism, for example, is that being too wordy? No, but some people, especially reporters [laughs], they don't get it. I'm an artist who believes in the power of women. So you believe in girl power, like the Spice Girls? Yeah, that's it [laughs]. What is it that reporters don't get? I don't know. I read a lot when I have free time, but that's something personal. I enjoy it for my own cultural satisfaction. I don't bring it up in interviews. Some say you're very difficult to interview … Really? I don't think so, honey. I'm a sweetheart. I may be wild, and I'm a bit crazy, but I'm also a sweetheart. Of course, don't mess around with me. Who are you reading now? Oh, a lot of books on meditation and self-help type stuff. I like Paulo Coelho very much; his books are chingones. Have you ever thought about writing songs? I've written songs, but there's a bunch of talented writers out there. Why bother? "In my world, there're no musical divisions. If I feel like singing a ranchera with hip-hop, hey, why not?"And singing in Spanish is something you want to keep doing? Singing in Spanish is what Paulina is about. Don't you get it? I'm singing in English now because this is another step. That's all. Next question. Is there any particular genre you like better than others? Not really. In my world, there're no music divisions. I don't like divisions. If I feel like singing a ranchera with hip-hop, hey, why not? I can have my taquitos and ... what? Apple pie? Nah, make it a tequila [laughs]. |
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