Summer A La Thalia

By OLIVIA RUIZ / Vida En El Valle
(Published Wednesday, July 9th, 2008 08:45AM)

Those years when Thalía only worried about her music, her projects, her husband Tommy Mottola, her vacations and fun are long gone.

The arrival of her daughter Sabrina Sakaë on Oct. 7, 2007, gave her life a complete twist.

"Being a mother has changed my attitude, period. It has changed everything, everything," the Mexican actress/singer said via telephone from New York. "(It has changed) the way I see the world, the way I care for myself, the way I want to become a better person, wanting to be healthier, wanting to do more positive things, to surround myself with lighter and beautiful things in my life."

But this radiant mom also has a new music album out, which she says reflects the happiness she is now experiencing both professionally and personally.

"'Lunada' finds me at the best time of my life and it finds me at a time when I want to relax, I want to enjoy," said the 36-year-old Mexican. "I felt the necessity of liberation, vacation, and that is what I wanted to project on each one of the music notes and lyrics on this album."

'Lunada' is her 13th album and she describes it as one of pure partying.

"It is an album of celebration, a beach album 100 percent. It is an album that when you hear it you feel like you smell like suntan lotion, that your hair is wet because of the ocean, that you are having the best vacation ever."

Thalía said she worked on the album during her pregnancy and her longing of being out on the beach, out in the sun, influenced the theme for it.

"When I was pregnant with my baby, around the eighth month, I felt hot and sweaty, I felt uncomfortable. The only thing I wanted was to be out on the beach in a bikini having a beer with my friends but you cannot do that because you can't drink (alcohol)," she said. "They say that when you are pregnant the heat overheats the product you're carrying -- your baby-- and that is very dangerous, so I started to obsess with summer and with the beach."

That obsession made her relive her favorite summer vacations out in different beaches and recall the songs that were playing at that time.

"So I started to say, 'Why not include my favorite summer songs in this album?' That's when I included 'Islas Para Dos' (Islands for Two), 'Insensible,' 'Sangre Caliente' (Heated Blood), and others."

Besides those covers, Thalía could not avoid including a song she dedicated to her daughter: 'Bendita' (Blessed One). And although this is not the first song she writes for Sabrina Sakaë, it is the "official" one she said.

"Even before she was born, I wrote her songs, I sing her songs, I invent her songs every day. Let's say ('Bendida') is the official song, produced with musicians in the studio, placed on a CD for the public but she has thousands of songs that her mother writes for her with all the love in the world."

Everything seems to indicate Thalía is having the best time of her life. Being a mother fits her quite well, her eight-year marriage to Mottola is solid, her business endeavors are strong, but she does admit there is one area where she has not had much luck.

"If I go into a kitchen, it is very dangerous. The truth is, I don't like to cook much because I could poison someone," she said laughing. "I am lucky my husband cooks for me. That's where the roles flipped, and he is an excellent chef. So all I do is sit down, prepare our drinks, place the settings, and everything is good."

Thanks to Thalía's determination, she has an extremely successful career.

The only thing she did make clear was the fact she will not be returning to soap operas, at least not for now.

"I don't think about going back to soap operas at this time because they enslave you... I don't feel like it at this time and my priorities are completely different now. But of course I will in the future."

What she does keep deep in her heart is her beloved México, and her fans.

"I send them a kiss, I love them. Thank you for so much support, for your love, for so manymuch loyalty over the years, and have fun because this album is all about partying."

CD review. Page B-2. By OLIVIA RUIZ Vida en el Valle Those years when Thalía only worried about her music, her projects, her husband Tommy Mottola, her vacations and fun are long gone. The arrival of her daughter Sabrina Sakaë on Oct. 7, 2007, gave her life a complete twist. “Being a mother has changed my attitude, period. It has changed everything, everything,” the Mexican actress/singer said via telephone from New York. “(It has changed) the way I see the world, the way I care for myself, the way I want to become a better person, wanting to be healthier, wanting to do more positive things, to surround myself with lighter and beautiful things in my life.” But this radiant mom also has a new music album out, which she says reflects the happiness she is now experiencing both professionally and personally. “‘Lunada’ finds me at the best time of my life and it finds me at a time when I want to relax, I want to enjoy,” said the 36-year-old Mexican. “I felt the necessity of liberation, vacation, and that is what I wanted to project on each one of the music notes and lyrics on this album.” ‘Lunada’ is her 13th album and she describes it as one of pure partying. “It is an album of celebration, a beach album 100 percent. It is an album that when you hear it you feel like you smell like suntan lotion, that your hair is wet because of the ocean, that you are having the best vacation ever.” Thalía said she worked on the album during her pregnancy and her longing of being out on the beach, out in the sun, influenced the theme for it. “When I was pregnant with my baby, around the eighth month, I felt hot and sweaty, I felt uncomfortable. The only thing I wanted was to be out on the beach in a bikini having a beer with my friends but you cannot do that because you can’t drink (alcohol),” she said. “They say that when you are pregnant the heat overheats the product you’re carrying — your baby— and that is very dangerous, so I started to obsess with summer and with the beach.” That obsession made her relive her favorite summer vacations out in different beaches and recall the songs that were playing at that time. “So I started to say, ‘Why not include my favorite summer songs in this album?’ That’s when I included ‘Islas Para Dos’ (Islands for Two), ‘Insensible,’ ‘Sangre Caliente’ (Heated Blood), and others.” Besides those covers, Thalía could not avoid including a song she dedicated to her daughter: ‘Bendita’ (Blessed One). And although this is not the first song she writes for Sabrina Sakaë, it is the “official” one she said. “Even before she was born, I wrote her songs, I sing her songs, I invent her songs every day. Let’s say (‘Bendida’) is the official song, produced with musicians in the studio, placed on a CD for the public but she has thousands of songs that her mother writes for her with all the love in the world.” Everything seems to indicate Thalía is having the best time of her life. Being a mother fits her quite well, her eight-year marriage to Mottola is solid, her business endeavors are strong, but she does admit there is one area where she has not had much luck. “If I go into a kitchen, it is very dangerous. The truth is, I don’t like to cook much because I could poison someone,” she said laughing. “I am lucky my husband cooks for me. That’s where the roles flipped, and he is an excellent chef. So all I do is sit down, prepare our drinks, place the settings, and everything is good.” Thanks to Thalía’s determination, she has an extremely successful career. The only thing she did make clear was the fact she will not be returning to soap operas, at least not for now. “I don’t think about going back to soap operas at this time because they enslave you… I don’t feel like it at this time and my priorities are completely different now. But of course I will in the future.” What she does keep deep in her heart is her beloved México, and her fans. “I send them a kiss, I love them. Thank you for so much support, for your love, for so manymuch loyalty over the years, and have fun because this album is all about partying.” Send e-mail to: oruiz@vidaenelvalle.com