Ana Mena Shines During Billboard Latin Music Week, Shares Insights On Her Collaboration With Enrique Iglesias & Career Journey

Ana Mena, Spain’s international popstar, was a standout performer at last Friday’s Billboard Latin Music Week 35th Anniversary Party. Her set included hits like “Música Ligera,” “Madrid City,” “Las 12,” and “Carita Triste.” Her choreography and dancers took her performance to another level.
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Ahead of her performance at the Fillmore Miami Beach, Contrast Magazine had the opportunity to interview Ana Mena. When asked about the experience of performing at Billboard’s Anniversary Party, she expressed her joy, stating, “It’s something I’ve always dreamed of.” Although she admitted to feeling nervous, she emphasized that it was an unforgettable moment.
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Two of the songs performed are from her recent album, BELLODRAMA, which has achieved remarkable success, becoming the one of the most listened-to albums in Spain. With a total of sixty platinum records, ten gold records, and one diamond record, Ana Mena is a celebrated artist, having won multiple awards at the Los40 Music Awards, including “Best Song of the Year” in 2022 for “Música Ligera.”
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Her repertoire spans various genres, including pop, bachata, and electronic music, and she also sings in languages other than Spanish, such as Italian. She shared her passion for these genres: “I love all the ones you just mentioned. Ever since I was younger, I’ve listened to them, starting with flamenco.” With a focus on pop and a blend of música urbana, she describes these genres as having so many colors in them that “you can feel free” within them.
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What sets Ana Mena apart is her ability to perform songs in both Spanish and Italian. Reflecting on her musical journey, she recalls, “Life took me to Italy when I was five or six years old. At home, I listened to many Italian singers, even though I didn’t understand the lyrics.” She was captivated by the musicality of Italian music, which felt fresh and special compared to what was popular in Spain at the time. This early influence led her to create songs in Italian, including her hit “D’estate non vale” with Fred de Palma, which became an unexpected success. She also shared she often writes in Italian first before translating her work into Spanish.
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Photography by Salva Muste

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One of her most recent collaborations is the Spanish remix of “Espacio en Tu Corazón” with Enrique Iglesias. She described this opportunity as “something I always dreamed of as a kid” and felt it was just a matter of timing. Remembering the day she was contacted, she said, “I was in shock. I jumped and told my best friend.” Despite the distance, Enrique and Ana Mena were able to discuss their collaboration over the phone, making it a dream come true and a significant milestone in her career.
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Looking ahead, Ana Mena has exciting plans in store. She has an upcoming tour in Latin America, a performance at Lollapalooza, and hinted at a new album on the horizon. Additionally, she revealed that she will be working on a film project, further expanding her artistic endeavors.
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Ana Mena continues to showcase her uniqueness in the industry and demonstrate she is a multi-faceted artist.