Danna Paola from ‘Élite’ is a Pop Star and Here’s Why You Need to Stan Her Now
Danna Paola is most known as the resident baddie on Netflix’s hit show Élite. After her character Lucrecia graduated from the series, the Mexican actress moved on as well to focus on her music career. According to Billboard on Jan. 27, her latest album K.O. debuted in the top 10 of the Latin Pop Albums chart. With her music on the rise, here are a few reasons why you need to stan Danna Paola, the pop star.
K.O. is her best showing on Billboard in the U.S.
Paola’s career spans more than two decades in television and music. Her past albums were released alongside her projects at the time, but K.O. marks the first time where the 25-year-old is fully dedicated to being the Latina pop princess that she is.
Being invested in her music right now paid off with K.O. debuting at No. 9 on the Latin Pop Albums chart. On that particular chart, it’s her best showing since 2004’s Oceano peaked at No. 13.
Danna can sing her heart out.
In 2014, Paola played the role of Elphaba during Wicked‘s run in Mexico City. She belted songs like “Defying Gravity” in Spanish with ease. Her heartbreaking ballad “Amor Ordinario” reminds us of her vocal power. Paola reaches a breaking point near the end of the song and lets out an incredible whistle register note that’s reminiscent of Mariah Carey and Ariana Grande.
She’s all about girl power.
There’s a girl power moment on the album with the flirty collaboration “Friend de Semana” featuring Spain’s Aitana and Brazil’s Luísa Sonza. In 2020, Paola released a number of all-female collaborations, including the enchanting “Santería” with Spanish singer Lola Indigo and Chile’s Denise Rosenthal.
“As a woman in this industry, I need to work with women because we need to support each other—no one else is going to do that,” she told W Magazine last month.
There’s also a moment for her LGBTQ+ fans on K.O.
During Pride month last year, she released the reggaeton bop “TQ Y Ya.” In the music video, she dances in a front of a rainbow flag with her female dancers.
“That song that was very necessary for me to write because I support 100 percent universal love,” she told W Magazine. “I’m so thankful for the LGBTQ+ community, who have always supported me and been there. Making a song with this message also makes me feel free in life. We’re in this, together, hand-in-hand.”
Paola has a history with the LGBTQ+ community. If you’re going to check out any of her past hits, 2015’s “Agúita” is a must. The electro-pop delight was written by openly lesbian singer Javiera Mena. “That song was like a freedom for me,” she told Remezcla last year. “I met Javiera and she was amazing. We made that song what it is today and I’m really proud of it. That song is my anthem.”
It’s also been called one of Mexico’s gay anthems.
If you’re sold on Danna Paola, the pop star, she will perform in a virtual concert this month. Inspired by K.O., the show is called “Welcome to My Break Up Party” and it will be streamed worldwide on Feb. 13 and on Valentine’s Day.
