Dulce Maria

Dulce Maria has been performing since she was a child in the music group K.I.D.S. Following that she performed in the group Jeans then was cast in the group Rebelde with their novela. RBD was born from that with nine albums in Spanish, Portuguese and English.

Now with a new two-part album entitled "Extranjera," she is ready to take over the world.

JN: (Jerry Nunn) Hola, Dulce. You were born with that name?

DM: (Dulce Maria) Yes, in Mexico City, Federal District. My full name is Dulce Maria Espinoza Savinon.

JN: Wow, that is a mouthful.

DM: (laughs) My name is from my dad.

JN: You were in Plaza Sesamo (Sesame Street)?

DM: Yes. I started my career when I was five years old. I was in a Mexican Discovery Kids show when I was young, then finally in RBD from the soap opera Rebelde. I am so proud now to have my first solo disc Extranjera.

JN: I interviewed your cast mate from the show, Christopher Uckermann, in the past. He is a great guy.

DM: Oh, he is my very good friend.

JN: You must have gotten to know him very well from the show.

DM: Exactly.

JN: Have you listened to his music?

DM: I just heard his first single. Everyone from that show is so talented.

JN: Christian Chavez came out of the closet from the group.

DM: Yes, I am very proud of him. We have talked about doing a project together with the creator of RBD Pedro Damian.

JN: You are coming to Chicago this Thursday correct?

DM: This Thursday, yes. I am coming to Chicago, Atlanta, then Los Angeles and San Francisco. This is an opportunity to bring my music to many people. I will sing some of my greatest hits while there as well as a couple of new tracks.

JN: Is this your first in Chicago?

DM: Yes, the first time solo there. I am very excited to get there and show off my music.

JN: I saw your video for the single "Inevitable." How was it making the video?

DM: It was my first solo video, the first single from the CD. It was filmed in Buenos Aires by Argentinean director Francisco d'Amorim Lima. It went really well I am happy with it. I just made a video for "Ya No" it is a cover song of Selena from her album Amor Prohibido. It is on the second part of my record that was just released. It was also filmed in Buenos Aires.

JN: What was it like working with Tiziano Ferro and Akon?

DM: For me it was big honor. Tiziano is Italian and I love his beautiful country. Speaking of "Beautiful" that was the remix that I did with Akon. It was his first time to work with a Mexican girl singer on a song so it was big for us both.

JN: Would you ever do an album in English?

DM: Right now, no, because this album had 14 songs and is in two parts. I would like to translate it into Portuguese for Brazil and Portugal. I want to get a song out there in English at some point for everyone to hear. I would like to sing more in English, sure.

JN: How did you learn Portuguese?

DM: I learned some from the RBD albums that were translated into Portuguese. It is similar to Spanish so I understand a lot of it.

JN: I read that your great aunt is the painter Frida Kahlo.

DM: Yes, my grandmother is her sister. It is a huge deal to think she is part of my blood and family.

JN: I can only imagine. Where are calling from?

DM: Ecuador but I will see you in Chicago soon!

Dulce Maria along with Club Papi dancers will shake their maracas on a National Club Tour at Circuit Nightclub, 3641 N Halsted Street on June 30. Visit www.circuitclub.com and www.wantickets.com/clubpapi for tickets and details.