"I'm rediscovering myself through my music": Mariana Ochoa

For more than three decades, Mariana Ochoa was one of the iconic voices of Onda Vaselina and OV7 . Today, in a different stage of her life, the singer returns to the microphone from a personal, intimate, and untethered perspective. Her new single, "El Remolino," marks a return not only musically, but also emotionally, artistically, and creatively. The former OV7 member releases this track as part of an EP of at least six songs—although it could be more—with which she aims to reconnect with her audience and herself.

"I'm giving myself the pleasure of surprising myself, and by doing so, inspiring people," the actress says in an interview. "It's been 20 years since I sat down to compose, and it's been a huge surprise to discover everything I have to say."

"El Remolino" , now available on digital platforms, is a regional ballad written by María Bernal and Érika Ender , produced by Joel Alonso Montes . The video, directed by Julián Hernández and produced by Roberto Fiesco , features the participation of Carlos Arenas and Mauricio Mancera , and was made by the production company Nube, which has taken more than 70 films to international festivals. In it, Ochoa tells the story of a woman who leaves behind a toxic, overwhelming love and finds a stable, sweet but different relationship. "I think it's a story that many people, or many women, have been involved in," she comments.

The search for his voice

Despite releasing solo albums in 2003 and 2006, Ochoa acknowledges that his priority for a long time was the group. "I was always very happy in OV7," he says. The band's reunion in 2010—originally intended as just a three-month tour—stretched out for more than a decade. However, upon concluding the 30th anniversary tour in 2023, he decided to pause his group career to focus on personal projects.

"When you come from such a successful band that's been around for so many years, it's difficult because people have certain expectations of you," he notes. "But I've taken on the task of doing, at this point in my life, the things I've been wanting to do, without the expectation of reaching such high numbers. Music that, if I don't dare to make today, I'll never make it."

Now, free from a record label and working independently, Mariana has surrounded herself with a close team of producers, composers, and friends with whom she's found new ways to express herself. "I'm choosing things I like and with which I identify. But I'm also including songs I've written from my experience of mature love, being a single mother, and raising a family—songs I've never sat down to write before."

Among those songs, a cumbia stands out, as well as another about the love she's found with her current partner, and several that revisit passages from her life. "Today I feel fulfilled as a woman, as a mother, as a partner, and professionally. I'm rediscovering myself, and the public has been surprised, too," she says.

An EP that transforms

Although the EP began with the idea of ​​including six songs, creative sessions with María Bernal and Joel Alonso Montes have grown the project. "It'll probably end up being ten because I sit down to write and something else comes out," says Mariana. After "Vámonos," her first single in collaboration with Saúl "El Jaguar," and "El Remolino," other tracks are on the way that blend regional Mexican music with Latin genres like bachata and cumbia. The next release is scheduled for May 29.

At this stage, Mariana has chosen to perform the genres she likes, without limiting herself to labels. "At home, we listen to Carín León, Nodal, Pepe Aguilar, Ana Bárbara, and Mariana Seoane with her cumbias. I want to indulge in recording what I like. Music is universal these days. Fusions are working," she explains.

Inspired by artists like Shakira, who has known how to navigate between genres, Mariana sees this musical moment as an opportunity to experiment. "For me, Shakira is the master of marketing. She's released everything from regional music to bachata with a DJ. I also want to show who I am and what I like," she says.

A new show, a reunion with the public

The singer has already begun presenting her new show, a performance in which she combines her unreleased songs with a repertoire of covers that are part of her "lifelong playlist ." "I include songs by Cristian Castro, Shakira, Ana Gabriel, Mónica Naranjo , and I even have a Tex-Mex medley with songs by Nodal, Límite, and Selena," she says.

This format has allowed her to reconnect with her audience in a more intimate way, in smaller venues where she can share her story. In Guadalajara, for example, she was a surprise guest at Sala de Despecho, where she shared the stage with her friend Taiga Brava , a drag queen and singer. "I had an incredible time. I didn't expect such a warm welcome from the people of Guadalajara, but they gave me an incredible reception," she says excitedly.

The pride of being an ally

In addition to reconnecting with music, Mariana has also reconnected with her commitment to the LGBT+ community, a longtime ally. On June 28th, she will be the Allied Queen of Pride in Mexico City and will have the honor of closing the event with a concert at the Zócalo.

"I'm with them not only in the celebration, but also in the struggle," she affirms with conviction. "Today I understand all the rights they're fighting for. It's a shame that in the United States, trans people are being stripped of their IDs. In Mexico, we must uphold the rights they've earned."

For this special presentation, Mariana is already preparing surprises. Guests include Taiga Brava, Lolita Banana, and Kenny, from Kenny y los Eléctricos . "I want to give a taste of what I'm bringing to the show. People aren't expecting this spectacle I'm preparing. Every day I plan what I can present to this community, to which I am very grateful."

Motherhood, a creative engine

A mother of two, Mariana has also found motherhood a source of inspiration and support. "They'd never seen me record in the studio, and now they were there with me," she says. In her first solo concert at La Maraka, her daughter—who practices aerial dance—performed a silk dance routine while Mariana sang the song "Deseos," which she dedicated to her children. "It was spectacular. I'm very grateful because they support me in everything I do."

Although she's received invitations to return to acting, she admits it's not an immediate possibility. "I'm a single mother, and at this point in my life, it's still difficult to lock myself away from a studio Monday through Saturday. Today, all my cards are stacked against my belt," she confesses. However, she doesn't rule out joining a series as a guest actress in the future.

And reality shows? "No way. I wouldn't want to enter the House of Celebrities," he responds bluntly.

A pending collaboration

Mariana doesn't rule out the possibility of collaborating with one of her former OV7 bandmates. In particular, she'd like to record with Lidia Ávila, who also dabbled in regional music. "We see each other often, although she's on sabbatical. We've been working together since we were 10, so I understand that aspect. But I'd love to do something with her someday," she confesses.

When asked if the problems between the OV7, especially with Ari Borovoy, are so serious that these differences will never be resolved, Ochoa responds: "I've expressed it. There was a problem, it was a debt, payment dates were set, it was fixed, it was closed. There are scars that remain from the friendship and it has really been a more media-oriented issue... we have always been a family and people were surprised to see a certain rift, but we are still a family. Similar things happen within families. I think that in the future I do see ourselves reunited, just like Mocedades... we are a family and we have a great legacy that we built over 30 years, so in the meantime I am taking advantage of doing what I like in my own way."

Without haste, but with determination

Mariana Ochoa is taking this new chapter leisurely, without the pressure of numbers or chart positions. "I don't have any expectations; I'm simply doing what I haven't had the opportunity to do before," she says. Over the next few months, she will continue releasing new songs—including a bachata, a cumbia, and a pop ballad—and plans to perform on stages like the Lunario at the National Auditorium. She also hopes to return to Guadalajara soon to reconnect with her fans.

"I'm very happy with the results I'm getting. I'm rediscovering myself through my music, and that fulfills me as an artist and as a person," she concludes.

MF