Dulce María

Biography

Dulce María Espinosa Saviñón (Spanish: [ˈdulse maˈɾi.a saβiˈɲon], born 6 December 1985), simply known as Dulce María, is a Mexican singer and actress.
Dulce María began her career at age five, appearing in more than 100 television commercials. At age eleven, she joined the musical group KIDS, and at fifteen, she became a member of Jeans. She has also starred in numerous telenovelas, including El vuelo del águila (1994), Nunca te olvidaré (1999), Primer amor, a mil por hora (2000), Clase 406 (2002), Rebelde (2004), Verano de amor (2009), Corazón que miente (2016), Muy padres (2017), and Pienso en ti (2023).
She achieved international recognition in 2004 after starring in Televisa's telenovela Rebelde and joining the two-time Latin Grammy-nominated pop group RBD, which sold over 15 million records worldwide.
In 2009, Dulce María launched her solo music career after signing with Universal Music Latin. Her debut extended play, Extranjera - Primera Parte (2010), opened at number one on Mexico's Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas chart, and she became the first Mexican artist to receive a platinum certification in Brazil. She has since released four solo studio albums: Extranjera - Segunda Parte (2011), Sin Fronteras×Sin fronteras8 April 2014 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Si tú supieras2:322Lágrimas3:203Antes que ver el sol3:314Te quedarás3:455Corazón en pausa3:286Después de hoy2:577Yo sí quería4:058Cemeterio de los corazones rotos3:029O lo haces tú o lo hago yo3:0310Girando en un tacón3:0911Shots de amor3:10 (2014), DM (2017), and Origen (2021).
Dulce María has won various international accolades, including the MTV Europe Music Awards, Premios TVyNovelas, People en Español Awards, Premios Juventud, and the American, Mexican, and Brazilian editions of the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards. She has been featured on the "most beautiful" lists of publications such as People en Español and Quién, and has been recognized as one of the most influential Mexican figures on Twitter.

Early life

Dulce María was born on 6 December 1985 in Mexico City. She has two sisters, Blanca Ireri and Claudia. She is of German, Native Mexican, and Spanish descent, and is a third cousin of painter Frida Kahlo. In an interview with Go Pride, she noted the relationship, stating that her grandmother was Kahlo's cousin.
As a child, Dulce María began appearing in television commercials. In 1993, at age eight, she was cast in Plaza Sesamo, the Mexican version of Sesame Street. She appeared in both live-action segments and the show's animated opening credits, which were produced by Oscar González Loyo. She also appeared in various other commercials during her youth, including a Mother's Day advertisement for the furniture store Viana. She was later cast in El Club de Gaby and participated in several specials on the Discovery Kids channel. Shortly after, she began acting in telenovelas for Televisa.

Music career

In 1996, Dulce joined the Mexican music group KIDS. They were very popular among children in Mexico. In 1999, Dulce decided to leave the group for personal reasons. After her departure from KIDS, Dulce and her then boyfriend, Daniel Habif, also a member of KIDS, decided to start their own group called D&D. They recorded five songs but, for unknown reasons, split up. In early 2000, Dulce replaced Angie in Jeans, a female Latin pop group. She left the group after two years due to landing the main role of Marcela Mejía in the 2002 telenovela, Clase 406 which starred the Mexican singer and actress. Other members from RBD also starred in the telenovela before the group launched in 2004.
Dulce begin acting in movies and was eventually cast as one of the main characters in Rebelde. The success of Rebelde launched RBD made up of Dulce, Maite Perroni, Christian Chávez, Alfonso Herrera, Anahí, and Christopher von Uckermann. The group made 9 studio albums, including records in Spanish, Portuguese and English. To date, they have sold over 20 million albums worldwide, and toured across Mexico, South America, Serbia, Romania, the United States, and Spain. On 15 August 2008, RBD released a message telling fans that they had decided to split up. They went on one final tour, Gira del Adiós World Tour which ended in 2008. On 25 November 2008, Dulce collaborated with Tiziano Ferro and Anahí on a song called El regalo màs grande. Following the breakup of RBD, Dulce signed with Universal Music and announced that she began recording in 2009 as a solo artist.

Solo projects

In 2009, she recorded two new songs for the novela, Verano de amor, called "Verano×Verano21 July 2009 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Verano3:49" and "Déjame Ser×Déjame ser3 June 2022 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Déjame ser3:48", a song she co-wrote along with Carlos Lara. Dulce also collaborated with Akon, to remix his song "Beautiful". They performed the song together at the 2009 radio concert, El Evento 40.
Dulce María released her first solo single on 17 May 2010, titled "Inevitable×Inevitable10 May 2010 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Inevitable3:09". The music video was released on 24 May and was directed by Argentinean director Francisco d'Amorim Lima. Dulce María's solo album Extranjera was originally set to be released on 7 September, but the release date was changed due to the recording of some new tracks. The album was then set to be released 9 November 2010, with her stating on Twitter, "We have more surprises for you guys so be patient!". The surprise was that the album was going to be divided in two: Extranjera Primera Parte, with 7 tracks, including the hit "Inevitable", released on 9 November 2010 and Extranjera Segunda Parte with 7 more tracks plus a DVD with extras. On 9 November 2010, Dulce María presented her album with a showcase at the Lunario and announced her second single "Ya No×Ya no23 November 2010 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Ya no3:25", which will be featured on the second part of the album set to be released in the summer of 2011. The song is a cover of the late singer Selena from the album Amor Prohibido. The song began playing on radios on 16 November 2010.
On 14 January 2011, a preview clip was released for Dulce's new single "Ya No" showing her in 3 different outfits, and in the last scene arguing with her love interest. Dulce María's music video for "Ya No" was released on 10 February on her personal YouTube channel, DulceMariaLive, earlier than planned due to it being leaked. Dulce María announced on her official YouTube account that Extranjera Segunda Parte would be released on 14 June 2011.
In 2016, Dulce began recording her third studio album titled "DM". The record was finished in August 2016, and was released on 10 March 2017. In 2017 she started DM World Tour promoting the album, where she performed in countries as Mexico, Brazil and Spain.
In 2018, she announced that she is preparing a new album that will be called Origen×Origen22 October 2021 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Origen (radio edit)3:322Sin ti3:363Más tuya que mía2:574Nunca3:505Tiempo extra3:306Cupido criminal2:277Lo que ves no es lo que soy3:168Te daría todo3:299Tú y yo3:1610Quién serás3:0811Amigos con derechos3:4012Origen (versión larga)5:13, who will only have songs that she composed. She announced a concert at the Teatro Metropólitan in Mexico City to present part of these songs, the album is expected to launch in 2019.

Acting career

Following her early roles as a child star, Dulce María started to work in teen-oriented television projects, appearing in El juego de la vida and Clase 406. In Clase 406, she acted alongside future RBD bandmates Alfonso Herrera, Anahí, and Christian Chávez. In 2004, she was cast as Roberta Pardo in Rebelde, a Mexican adaptation of the Argentinian telenovela Rebelde Way. The series achieved global commercial distribution, airing over 400 episodes until its conclusion in 2006. For her performance, she received the TVyNovelas Award for Best Young Lead Actress in 2006.
Following the conclusion of Rebelde, Televisa produced the 2007 sitcom RBD: La familia, a fictionalized series starring the band members. It was the first Mexican television production shot entirely in high definition, running for 13 episodes from 14 March to 13 June 2007.
In 2009, Dulce María starred as Miranda Perea in the telenovela Verano de amor, produced by Pedro Damián. She also recorded the theme songs "Verano×Verano21 July 2009 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Verano3:49" and "Déjame Ser×Déjame ser3 June 2022 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Déjame ser3:48" for the project. The series integrated environmental messaging aligned with Televisa's "Televisa Verde" initiative. Her performance earned the People en Español Award for Best Young Actress in 2010.
In April 2010, she was cast in the title role of the independent film ¿Alguien ha visto a Lupita?, starring alongside Chilean actor Cristián de la Fuente, which was released in 2011. During this period, she appeared in marketing campaigns for the apparel brand Cklass with Maite Perroni.
She returned to television in 2013 with a guest appearance in Mentir para Vivir. In 2015, she partnered with PETA for a campaign video opposing the use of animals in circuses. She made her debut in an antagonistic role in 2016, starring in Corazón que miente, and later starred in the telenovela Muy padres in 2018. In July 2018, she collaborated with PETA again for an awareness campaign targeting SeaWorld.

Philanthropy

Throughout her career, Dulce María has been participating in several humanitarian campaigns. In September 2009 she was chosen by Google, Save the Children and Chicos.net as the representative of the campaign Technology Yes that is responsible for promoting the good use of the internet among young people. In October Dulce created her own foundation called Fundación Dulce Amanecer with the objective of contributing to social causes, ranging from supporting the communities of support of indigenous women to caring for the environment, the singer maintains the foundation with the support of his followers around the world and donations and sweepstakes of her personal items. On account of its foundation, in 2011 Nickelodeon Latin America announced that Dulce María would receive the Pro Social Award of the Kids Choice Awards Mexico 2011. Dulce received the green blimp, a special award that distinguishes those who receive this recognition. The Social Pro Award is presented in other countries as the United States and Brazil under the Big Green Help strategy, established by Nickelodeon. This recognition is given to people who stand out for their actions and impact on the environment or society, such as Michelle Obama in 2010.

In February 2010, Dulce María along with Alfonso Herrera were presented to the media at the Auditorio Nacional of Mexico City as representatives of Expo Joven 2010, an event that aimed to demonstrate against the violence and insecurity that plagues Mexico, especially in Chihuahua. On 20 February, Dulce went to the Chihuahua City as part of Expo Joven, where she gave a lecture on the theme "friendship."
In August 2012, Dulce María helped build and open a playground located in Lynwood, California, at the invitation of KaBOOM! and Kool-Aid who sponsored this space designed to promote physical activity among minors and reduce obesity levels in this sector of the population. Dulce carried out activities that varied from painting the place, mixing cement, cutting the ribbon of the inauguration and besides taking pictures with the Hispanic families and volunteers that participated in the event. In October, Dulce was the representative of the campaign Mujeres a Tiempo organized by Televisa Monterrey, a campaign that fights against breast cancer. So committed to this cause, Dulce composed and recorded a theme, Reloj de arena, to be the campaign anthem, in addition to having recorded a video for the theme in several places of Monterrey accompanied by women who are part of Mexican associations like Mexican Red Cross, Unidas Contigo and Supera. Dulce was photographed by director and producer Pedro Torres for the Mexican magazine Quién, as part of the campaign Tócate – Por un México sin cáncer de mama, a campaign where 28 women who participate together to give voice and create health awareness and early detection of breast cancer, and aims to provide funding for the Fundación del Cáncer de Mama (FUCAM). With the images of the 28 women who participated, a gallery was made that remained on display during October on Paseo de la Reforma, Mexico City. In December during the end-of-year party period, Dulce visited with her sister, Blanca, a hospital that cares for children with Cancer in Mexico. During her visit Dulce delivered toys and talked with the children.
In September 2013, Dulce, along with artists like Lucero and Reik recorded ¡Súmate Ya!, the official theme of the campaign to gather support for those affected by Hurricane Ingrid and Hurricane Manuel. In November, Dulce became the image of MTV's global campaign Someone Like Me, along with SICO, a global campaign to inform and create conversation among young people about sex, sexual health, and ultimately reach an HIV-free generation. Dulce participated in an event in Mexico, with the participation of DJ Benjamin Diamond, to talk about the theme. In December, Dulce joins the Televisa Foundation campaign, "Live the Dream," an initiative for English-language learner in public schools in the United States. On 9 December, she visited "Burbank Middle School" located in the city of Houston, Texas. Through this campaign, she told of her experiences of overcoming to inspire students to define their goals and how to work to overcome them.

In March 2015, Dulce joined the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), to condemn the abuse of elephants in circuses in the United States. In an interview with the agency AP, the singer said her interest in protecting elephants came during a trip to Thailand in 2014. In the video she filmed for the campaign, she asks people not to go to the circuses that use animals and explains in detail all the ill-treatment to which elephants are subjected so that they may perform their function. Dulce also applauds the fact that Mexico has already banned the use of wild animals in circuses. In June, during her visit to Chile for her tour, Dulce visited the Corporación de Ayuda al Niño Quemado (COANIQUEM), appearing captivated by the cause, actively sharing with the children attended at the foundation. In November, on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, Dulce joined the #NiUnaMás campaign that seeks to sensitize all Mexicans to the problem of gender violence. Through her Twitter account, she published an image of you with the message: "#DiNoALaViolencia #LaViolenciaDestruye". Like her, other personalities have joined this campaign which was launched by Fundación Origen through its website where men and women are invited to take a photo and then share in their networks and create a greater impact.
In January 2016, Dulce María joins the #LeerMx – Lo Que Importa Esta En Tu Cabeza, organized by the Mexico Communication Council, the concept of the campaign means to the youth beyond their appearance, what really matters is what is in their head and, in this sense, reading is the tool that gives them more, that is, through it they can express themselves, create, participate and build their own personality. In October, Dulce once again joins a campaign against Breast Cancer. Now as ambassador of the fourth edition of the campaign Vive con Glamour by Glamour magazine. It is an initiative held every year during the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month which aims to have women perform self-examination.
On 23 February 2017, Dulce María joined the ambassador, along with Juan Pablo Manzanero and singer Kalimba, to the campaign of the Christian aid organization World Vision International, which helps to change the reality of Latin American children subjected to abuse and violence in all its forms. During the press conference, Dulce emphasized that it is time to join efforts to give a message throughout Mexico and the rest of Latin America, as well as other parts of the world to reinforce what the organization does for children. Dulce along with singers like Cristian Castro and Kalimba released the song Da Amor as official song of World Vision.

Personal life

Dulce María was in a relationship with her KIDS bandmate Daniel Habif from 1997 to 2002. In 2002, she began dating actor Alfonso Herrera, her co-star in the telenovela Clase 406; the relationship ended in April 2005. She dated Mexican footballer Guillermo Ochoa from late 2005 until April 2006. During the filming of Verano de amor in 2008, she began a relationship with co-star Pablo Lyle, which concluded the following year. From 2011 to 2015, she was in a relationship with Luis Rodrigo Reyes.
On 9 November 2019, she married Mexican producer Paco Álvarez in Jojutla, Mexico, following a three-year courtship. The couple has two daughters: María Paula, born on 27 November 2020, and Fernanda, born in March 2026.

Written works

Dulce Amargo (2007)
Dulce Amargo – Recuerdos de una adolescente (2014)