Karol G on Balancing Global Stardom, Latina Empowerment, and a New Tequila Venture
Karol G, the Colombian superstar, has experienced an unprecedented rise to fame over the past two years, marked by record-breaking albums, sold-out tours, and a growing portfolio of entrepreneurial endeavors. Her journey, however, is one balanced with the sacrifices inherent in relentless success, a theme she openly addresses as she continues to redefine Latin music and culture on a global stage.
The artist’s 2022 album, “Mañana Será Bonito,” shattered records as the frist all-Spanish album by a female artist to reach No. 1 on the billboard 200.It also secured the largest US streaming week ever for a latin album by a woman, surpassing even the numbers achieved by Shakira. Since then, Karol G has continued to break barriers, becoming the first Latina to headline a stadium tour and filling arenas worldwide.
Though, this whirlwind success has come at a cost. The artist revealed in her Netflix documentary a struggle to find personal time, a reality that persists even now. “You are working every day so hard, and sometimes things happen, and the next day you have another thing to do – work, another flight, another something,” she shared. “And there are these little moments where you really do get to stop and it’s like, wow.” She is actively striving for a more balanced life, seeking to be more mindful of the rapid pace of her career.
Despite the demanding schedule, Karol G credits a strong support system of long-term friends for keeping her grounded. “I have the same friends. The most new friends that I have, have been by my side for at least seven years. And most of them for 10 years or 15 years – we are a close group,” she explained,describing how she prioritizes celebrating her achievements with those closest to her.
This year alone has been a testament to hard work and perseverance. “I think this collaboration came at a vrey special moment in my career as a lot of things have been happening to me lately. I worked so many years where nothing happened. It was just me working and waiting for an prospect and waiting for a moment,” she reflected. “and after 2020, I started seeing all the results of all these gorgeous things, and I think this collab especially came at the perfect moment.”
Central to Karol G’s success is a profound sense of gratitude towards her Latine community. This thankfulness fueled the creation of “Tropicoqueta,” her most overtly Latina album to date, a project designed to celebrate her roots and the culture that shaped her. “it’s the most Latina album that I’ve created in my career,” she said proudly.”I’m really proud that I’m [performing] all around the world and not just bringing one flag, I’m bringing the flags of all our countries. For me to stand up on stage with the Latina flavor, not trying to be something else. For me, it’s the craziest and the most beautiful thing.”
However, Karol G remains acutely aware of the challenges facing latine communities, especially in the United States. She acknowledged the current climate as both a moment of triumph and struggle, citing issues like mass deportations, discrimination, cuts to vital programs like SNAP, and ongoing threats to DACA protections. “I think right now I’m super happy because this is a great moment for Latinos. But this is also a really bad moment for Latinos right now,” she stated. “so, with the album that I did, I feel very, very proud.”
Karol G’s journey embodies a powerful message of resilience, empowerment, and cultural pride. She aspires to be a source of inspiration and a “piece of home” for her fans, driven by the unwavering support she has received throughout her career. “It came literally because of the peopel that followed me when I was on tour, and just seeing people bringing their flags to every concert that I was at, I’m like, I want to be this for the rest of my life. I want to be a piece of home for my people and to feel all that love is super special.”
