Entertainment
Paula Arenas
The talented singer mesmerizes with her voice and heartfelt lyrics
Hailing from the heartland of Colombia, Paula Arenas, is a rising star, making a name for herself with authenticity and grace. The talented singer and multi-instrumentalist has captivated audiences with her enchanting voice and touching lyrics about life, ranging from happy to melancholic.
With four nominations this year at the Latin Grammys, the talented artist continues to break boundaries, staring into the eyes of rejection without fear. As a mother and wife, she’s a testament that you should never stop chasing your dreams.
“I like being a woman in this industry so dominated by men,” she explained in an interview with media.
Born and raised in the beautiful city of Bogotá, the 35-year-old artist discovered her passion for singing in 1994 when she was around six years old while watching the telenovela “Cafe con aroma de mujer.” She earned the nickname “Gaviotica” after the show’s lead character after Arenas began replicating her singing style and melodies. With this inspiration, she joined her school choir at the tender age of 7.
Her road has not always been easy. With dreams of pursuing a formal music education, she was rejected by the prestigious Colombian universities, Los Andes and Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. In the face of rejection, she put the idea of school behind her, and paved her own road, performing popular covers at local bars and restaurants.
Arenas’ career took a turn when she began performing at El Bandido Restaurant, captivating audiences with her renditions of Frank Sinatra’s timeless classics, going on to form a big band. She published two EPs independently between 2011 and 2012 before meeting Colombian record producer Julio Reyes Copello with the help of Juan Pablo Vega. Copello, whom she credits as a pivotal figure in her career, offered her a contract with the record label Art House Records. Paula published her first album, “Visceral,” which led to her first-ever Latin Grammy nomination. She went on to work with artists like Marc Anthony, Pablo Alborán, Alejandro Sanz, Nelly Furtado, and more.
In January 2015, Arenas decided to make the courageous move of relocating to Miami, Florida, to pursue a full-time music career. Amid this journey, she married Beto Perez, a talented Colombian artist and graphic designer from Barranquilla, in 2019. The couple expanded their family in 2020, welcoming their first child, a son named León. During her pregnancy, which took place during the pandemic, she created her album “Mis Amores,” which was nominated at the 2022 Latin Grammys.
With her personal milestones, and a relentless pursuit of her dreams, Arenas never strayed away from music. Her album, She dedicated her latest album, Ciegas, to her husband and son.
