Nostalgia: 10 Spanish-Speaking Pop Princesses of the Early 2000s and What They Do Today
From Paulina Rubio to Malú, these singers dominated the radio (and MP3 players) at the beginning of the new millennium.
Few times saw such a marked rise in pop as the first decade of the 2000s, when the phenomenon of the “pop princesses” occurred. Unquestionably led by Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, the women sounded loud throughout the world, including the Spanish-speaking world. These are 10 Latin and Spanish artists who dominated the radio and record stores (and MP3 players). We tell you what they do now.
Paulina Rubio
By the year 2000, when she released her album Paulina (one of the best-selling in the entire history of Mexico), this singer and actress, former member of Timbiriche, established herself as a Latin pop icon. The “golden girl” released songs that are still relevant, such as “I am not that woman” and “Nothing was a mistake.” More than two decades later, Paulina is still active in the industry. In 2023 she released several new songs, such as “Private Property”, embarked on a tour called Camino Golden Hits and has participated as a judge or coach on programs such as La Voz.
Kelly Key
If Brazil had to choose its pop princess, it would undoubtedly be Kelly Key. The singer released three albums between 2001 and 2005, with songs like “Cachorrinho”, “Baba Baby” and “Sou a Barbie Girl”, a version of the famous song by the Danish group Aqua. Its success was such that the label launched an entire line of products for teenagers, including clothing, shoes and dolls. After this boom, Kelly Key has focused more on her career as a television presenter, although in 2015 and 2020 she released two other albums that were also well received.
Chenoa
In 2001, Chenoa came in fourth place on Spanish Television's talent show Operación Triunfo. She didn't win, but that didn't stop her from catapulting herself as a true pop princess in Spain. Her first album earned four platinum certifications and led her on a tour with David Bisbal. “I will give you” and “Everything will be fine” (which became popular again in 2020 during the pandemic) were some of the songs that established her in that decade. Currently, she continues to release singles from time to time and is a television show host.
Shakira
The Shakira of the 2000s was the one who began the transformation towards today's. The Colombian had just released albums more oriented toward pop rock, but when she released Laundry Service in 2001, pop and dance rhythms took the reins of her career. Since then he has not stopped publishing albums and hits. As of 2023, she has been busy with the promotion and concerts of the album Las mujeres ya no cryon, which includes songs like “Shakira: BZRP Music Sessions, Vol. 53”, “Soltera” and “Acróstico”. Additionally, she is a successful businesswoman and has her own line of fragrances.
Fey
It could be said that the so-called “Fey-mania” had its peak at the end of the 90s (with songs like “Media orange” and “Azúcar bitter”), but in the first decade of the 2000s the Mexican Fey showed a more adult side with the album Vértigo, considered the best of her career. This included songs like “I know what will come” and “I feel like falling.” After that, his musical career had ups and downs and he was a judge on the Televisa talent show Dancing for a Dream. In 2024 she had a rebirth thanks to the international Fey Hits Tour, which celebrated her 30-year career.
Baby
In 2004, with her debut album Pafuera Telarañas (with which she won a Grammy), the Spanish Bebe became a pop phenomenon mixed with indie and flamenco overnight. She opted for feminist and even denunciatory lyrics, such as “Malo” and “Her”. This caught on, and his eclectic style gave him four gold records. After that, he has dedicated himself mainly to acting, participating in both films and series in Spain. However, he has not stopped making music, releasing other albums and collaborating on soundtracks.
Belinda
This Spanish-Mexican artist has not stopped since her days as a pop princess of the new millennium. She debuted in 2002 with her self-titled album, which included songs like “Boba Niña Nice” and “Vivir,” and established herself in the music industry along with her career as an actress, which has not stopped either. With five albums to her credit and more than a dozen film and television projects, she has also ventured into modeling and is co-founder of a makeup line and another of supplements. In music, she is currently focused on corridos tumbados.
Thalia
Although by the year 2000 Thalía was already one of the great Mexican stars and was about to turn 30, the truth is that it can be said that it was she who paved the way for the other “princesses.” With the album Arrasando, which included songs like “Entre el mar y una Estrella”, “Arrasando” and “Regresa a mí”, the actress also presented some of the first sounds of Latin pop and dance pop of that time. Today, Thalía continues to release albums and singles and, at the same time, is a businesswoman, producer, author and philanthropist.
Natalia Oreiro
Only two albums (Your poison in 2000 and Turmalina in 2002) were enough for the voice of this Uruguayan artist to continue playing on the radio at the time. Natalia Oreiro was already recognized as an actress, but songs like “How I Forget You,” “Tu Venom” and “Let They Say What They Want” made her the Uruguayan with the highest album sales in the world. After that, he returned to acting, to which he has dedicated himself practically completely and with which he has won multiple awards and nominations.
Malu
With her powerful voice and a mix of Latin pop and flamenco, Malú was a success not only in Spain, but also in Latin America. In 2001, when she released her album Esta vez, the song “Toda” was present in any nightclub, and in 2003, with the album Otra skin, she released the single “Enamorada”, a powerful ballad that catapulted her to success. Malú has not stopped working: until 2023 she had released 13 albums, in addition to five compilation albums and two live albums, and between 2024 and 2025 she was on tour with A Todo Sí Tour, in celebration of her 25-year career.
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