María José Loyola Anaya (born January 12, 1976), known professionally as María José, is a Mexican singer, ballerina, flamenco dancer, athlete and television personality. Her career started at age 15, in the 1990s, when she joined the Mexican band Kabah as a vocalist. After leaving the band in 2006, she continued on as a solo artist and has released six studio albums to date.

María José
Born
María José Loyola Anaya

(1976-01-12) January 12, 1976 (age 48)
Other namesLa Josa
Occupations
  • Singer-Songwriter
  • Dancer
  • Actress
  • Host
Years active1992–present
Spouse
Mauricio García
(m. 2003)
Children1
Musical career
Genres
InstrumentVocals
Labels
Member ofKabah
Websitemariajoseoficial.com

Biography

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María José received a B.A. in communications[citation needed] before becoming a well-known and established vocalist during the time when she was part of Kabah, from the mid- to late-1990s.

Her first experience on stage was at age 14, as a dancer in the Spanish Dance Company led by Maria Elena Anaya. She remained in the company participating with flamenco songs as well.

Career as a solo singer

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During 2007, María José posed for the cover of MAX magazine, the equivalent of Maxim in the US.[citation needed]

She opened for Gwen Stefani's The Sweet Escape Tour in Mexico.[1] This part of the tour included concerts in Arena Monterrey in Monterrey and in Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City.[2] She also appeared in the Reventour, a series of concerts in several places in Mexico, both as a singer and as a host.[3]

In late July, she was part of an American tour with Lu and Motel and announced the release of her first album in August in the United States, which she promoted extensively. She was also invited to participate in Hoy No Me Puedo Levantar, the Mexican musical based on the career and songs of the Spanish pop group Mecano.[citation needed]

She was nominated for Best New Artist in the Premios Oye!, the Mexican equivalent of the Grammys. She participated in El Show de los Sueños from September 30 to October 19, 2008,[4] finishing in fourth place. In the first show, along with her counterpart Thalía, she sang "Tocando Fondo". In the following show the two sang "Te Aprovechas". In the third show they sang "No me quedas mas" and in the fourth show they sang "Quererte a ti". In the fifth show "Amores Extranos" followed by the sixth show with "Amiga Mia".

On February 6, 2010, a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors proclaimed February 6 as "María José Day" during her club performance in the city.[citation needed]

2007-2008: First album María José

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In 2007, her first solo album, María José, was announced and the first single "Quien Eres Tu?", featuring Trey Songz and of dance and hip-hop influences, started to receive airplay in Mexico.[citation needed]

Two weeks after its release, the album reached number 84 in the Mexican charts.[5] This song also appeared on iTunes as a free single during the week of January 11, 2008.[citation needed]

She has said in various interviews that she expected the second single to be "Mas de ti" or "Habla menos". "Me Equivoque", another track from the album, had major digital sales in Mexico.[citation needed]

In late August, "Me Equivoque", along with its video, was released. "¿Donde Esta?", the third and final single of the album, was officially released in April 2008. The song's video was filmed in Mexico City at Estudios Churubusco. 20 fans, who were chosen after winning a contest, were invited to attend the filming.[6]

María José announced on April 18, 2008, that she had officially left Warner Music. No explanation was given, but her third single was released as an independent artist and not with the help of Warner Music.[7]

2009-2011: Amante de lo Ajeno and Amante de lo Bueno

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Promotion of her second album began with a short performance as the opening act of Rihanna's Disturbia tour in Mexico City on January 24, 2009.[8] She premiered the song "No soy una señora" during the show.

Amante de lo ajeno was released on May 12, 2009.[9] It consists of 11 songs that had been hits by pop divas in the 1980s.

"No soy una señora" was released as the first single on March 2, and became very popular in Mexico, especially among teenagers.[8] The follow-up singles were "Mi Amor, Amor" and "Adelante Corazón", both of which experienced success in Mexican charts. The fourth single was planned to be "Sola No, Yo No Se Estar", but was scrapped due to the release of her third album.[citation needed]

María José released her third album, Amante de lo Bueno,[10] on November 9, 2010. It is another compilation of hits from the 1980s. The first single, "La Ocasión Para Amarnos", was released in October.[11] The single became another huge success in Mexico.[citation needed]

2012-2018: De Noche and Habla Ahora

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María José released her fourth album, De Noche worldwide[citation needed] on iTunes on August 15, 2012.[12] It was her second album with all new songs. The first single, "Tú Ya Sabes a Mí", was released in June 2012. "Extraña" was released as a single in Spain.[citation needed]

María José released her fifth album, Habla Ahora worldwide on iTunes on October 21, 2016. It is her third album to feature original content. The first single, "Las Que Se Ponen Bien La Falda", featuring Puerto Rican rapper Ivy Queen, was released on May 13, 2016. The title track "Habla Ahora" was released as the second single from the album preceding the release of the album.[13]

2019-present: Live Album Conexión, Esta historia me suena and La Voz

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In 2019, María José released a live album, Conexión.[14] It was released on June 7, 2019, by OCESA Seitrack.[15] The album was recorded in front of a selected audience at the concert in Mexico City.[15] In celebration of the tenth anniversary of her breakout album Amante de lo Ajeno, the album celebrates José's trajectory as a solo artist. The album includes material from her previous five studio albums as well as eight newly-recorded songs.[16] Featured guests include Ha*Ash, Yuri, Carlos Rivera and Vanesa Martin.[17] In 2019, she became a judge of TV Azteca's México tiene talento and also became a host of Televisa's new drama series Esta historia me suena with Jen Carlo Bautista, in which she also appeared as an actress in a few episodes.[18] On January 21, 2020, it was announced that she would return to TV Azteca, as a coach of La Voz with Ricardo Montaner, Belinda and Christian Nodal.[19] She later returned for her second and final season in 2021 with Miguel Bosé, Edith Marquez, and Jesús Navarro.

Influences

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María José has said many times that a few of her major influences are Mariah Carey, Rocío Dúrcal, Mecano, Moenia, Celine Dion, Christina Aguilera, Madonna, Eugenia León and Boyz II Men.[citation needed]

Discography

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With Kabah

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Solo artist

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Studio albums

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List of studio albums, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Album details Peak Certifications
MEX
[citation needed]
María José
  • Released: April 2, 2007
  • Formats: CD, digital download
  • Label: Warner Music
84[20]
Amante de lo Ajeno 2
Amante de lo Bueno
  • Released: November 9, 2010
  • Formats: CD, digital download
  • Label: Sei Track Musica, Sony Music
1
  • AMPROFON: Platinum+Gold[21]
De Noche
  • Released: October 16, 2012
  • Formats: CD, digital download
  • Label: Sei Track Musica, Sony Music
3
Habla Ahora
  • Released: October 21, 2016
  • Formats: CD, digital download
  • Label: Sei Track Musica, Sony Music
3
Libertad
  • Released: January 26, 2023
  • Formats: CD, digital download
  • Label: Sei Track Musica, Sony Music

Live albums

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List of live albums, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Album details Peak Certifications
MEX
[citation needed]
Conexión
  • Released: June 7, 2019
  • Formats: CD + DVD, digital download
  • Label: OCESA Seitrack, Sony Music
2

Singles

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As lead artist

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List of Spanish singles, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
Airplay Español
Airplay
MEX[23]
"¿Quien Eres Tu?" 2007 María José
"Me Equivoqué"
(featuring Trey Songz)
"¿Donde Esta?" 2008
"No Soy Una Señora" 2009 Amante de lo Ajeno
"Mi Amor Amor"
"Adelante Corazón" 2010
"Sola No, Yo No Se Estar"
"La Ocasión Para Amarnos" Amante de lo Bueno
"Un Nuevo Amor" 2011
"Después De Tu Adiós"
"Tú Ya Sabes A Mí" 2012 De Noche
"El Amor Manda"
  • AMPROFON: 2× Platinum[21]
"Prefiero Ser Su Amante" 2013
"La Cara Oculta Del Amor" Habla Ahora
"Las Qué Se Ponen Bien La Falda"
(featuring Ivy Queen)
2016 23 5 5
"Habla Ahora"
"Lo Que Te Mereces" 2017
"El Amor Coloca"
"Duri Duri"
"Hábito de Ti"
(featuring Vanessa Martin)
2019 Conexión
"Un Nuevo Amor"
""Derroche"
"Lo Que Tenías Conmigo"
"Ya No Me Acuerdo Más de Ti"
(with Carlos Rivera)
2021
"All I Want for Christmas is You"
(with Paty Cantú and María León)
2022 Non-album single
"Me Quedo Aquí Abajo" Libertad
"Culpable o Inocente"
"Arrepentida y Sola"
"Pecado Original"
"—" denotes items that did not chart or were not released.

Promotional singles

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List of promotional singles, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
MEX
[24]
"El Era Perfecto" 2019 Conexión
"Rosas en Mi Almohada"
(featuring Ha*Ash)[25]
2020 3
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List of Spanish singles, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
Airplay Español
Airplay
"Te Besé"
(featuring Leonel García)
2013 Todas mías
"Resistiré México"
(among Artists for Mexico)
2020 15[26] 4[27] Non-album single
"No Va A Ser Fácil (Remix)"
(with Gian Marco)
2021 Mandarina
"Prohibido Amarnos"
(with María León)
2022 Alquimia

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
2009-10 Atrévete a Soñar Herself
2011-12 Pequeños Gigantes Herself Judge; seasons 1-2
2012-13 Porque el amor manda Lic. María José Guest cast/theme interpreter
2017 Bailando Por un Sueño Herself Judge[28]
2018 Por amar sin ley Patricia Linares Guest; 2 episodes
2019 Ringo Herself[29]
2019 La reina soy yo Herself
2019-2020 Esta historia me suena Main host Three seasons, appeared as actress on several occasions
2019 México tiene talento Judge First time working with TV Azteca
2020 Trolls World Tour Barb Voice role (Latin American dub)
2020–2021 La Voz Herself Coach[19]
2021 La Voz Kids Herself Coach[30]
2021 Te acuerdas de mí Julio's girlfriend Guest/theme interpreter
2021 La Voz Senior Coach[31]
2023 ¿Quién es la máscara? Guest panelist Season 5, episode 2

References

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  1. ^ "María José será la telonera de Gwen Stefani". El Siglo (in Spanish). June 27, 2007. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  2. ^ "Gwen Stefani ofrece su primer concierto en Ciudad de México". La Vanguardia (in Spanish). July 16, 2007. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  3. ^ "Es día de 'Reventour'". El Siglo (in Spanish). November 10, 2007. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  4. ^ "María José habla de su salida del programa 'El show de los sueños'". W. Radio Mexico (in Spanish). October 14, 2008. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  5. ^ [1][permanent dead link]
  6. ^ Grupo Reforma
  7. ^ Reflector - Reforma Radio
  8. ^ a b "María José Oficial". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
  9. ^ "María José es una 'amante de lo ajeno'". El Informador :: Noticias de Jalisco, México, Deportes & Entretenimiento (in European Spanish). November 5, 2009. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  10. ^ "PROMOCIONARA María José SU ALBUM AMANTE DE LO BUENO EN EL FESTIVAL POP VERANO 2011". La Chicuela (in Spanish). July 23, 2011. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  11. ^ "María José estrena 'La ocasión para amarnos'". LOS40 México (in Spanish). September 28, 2010. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  12. ^ María José... de Noche de María José (in Mexican Spanish), retrieved December 20, 2019
  13. ^ "María José promociona su nuevo sencillo: "Habla ahora"". www.milenio.com. November 9, 2016. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  14. ^ Martinez, Eva. "MARÍA JOSÉ PREPARA LANZAMIENTO DE SU DISCO "CONEXIÓN"". Digital 94.9 FM. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  15. ^ a b "María José grabó su CD+DVD bajo el concepto Conexión". BoomOnline (in Spanish). October 6, 2018. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  16. ^ Montaño, Francisco. "María José celebra 12 años como solista con sus mejores temas". El Sol de México (in Spanish). Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  17. ^ Conexión (En Vivo) de María José (in Mexican Spanish), retrieved August 13, 2019
    - "María José quiere que hagas "Conexión"". El Heraldo de San Luis Potosi (in Spanish). Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  18. ^ "Segunda temporada de Esta historia... me suena debutó por Las Estrellas". PRODU (in Spanish). December 19, 2019. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  19. ^ a b "¡Es oficial! Ellos son los nuevos coaches de la segunda temporada de La Voz Azteca ¡Te llevarás una sorpresa!". Azteca Uno (in Spanish). January 21, 2020. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  20. ^ "María José". Mmexican Charts. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
  21. ^ a b c d e f g "Certificaciones" (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Type María José in the box under the ARTISTA column heading.
  22. ^ "María José recibió Disco de Oro por las altas ventas de Conexión". OCESA Seitrack (in Spanish). December 9, 2019. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
  23. ^ "Top Música del Momento – Mejores Canciones – México Pop". Monitor Latino. May 16, 2016. Archived from the original on May 19, 2016.
  24. ^ Peak positions in Mexico:
  25. ^ "María José ya suena en la radio con "Rosas en mi almohada" Feat. Ha*Ash". OCESA Seitrack (in Spanish). January 27, 2020. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
    - Rosas en Mi Almohada (feat. Ha-Ash) [En Vivo] by María José, iTunes, retrieved September 21, 2019
  26. ^ "Mexico Airplay Chart". Billboard. May 2, 2020. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
  27. ^ "Mexico Espanol Airplay Chart". Billboard. May 2, 2020. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
  28. ^ ""Bailando por un sueño" con María León y María José". Milenio. August 8, 2017. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  29. ^ "¿Será que María José ya quiere dejar la cantada por la actuación?". TV Notas (in Spanish). August 30, 2018. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  30. ^ "El estreno de La Voz Kids 2021: entre el nuevo look de María José, la emoción de Belinda y la ternura de los niños participantes". infobae (in Spanish). Retrieved July 15, 2021.
  31. ^ "La Voz Senior 2021: ¿Quiénes son del equipo de María José?". Spoilers (in Spanish). May 25, 2021. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
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