After winning Best New Artist at the Latin Grammy Awards last year, Ela Taubert has firmly established herself as one of Latin music’s rising stars. The Colombian singer, known for her pink hair, is drawing inspiration from pop icons like Taylor Swift, turning her own personal stories of love and heartbreak into chart-topping anthems. Her debut album, Preguntas a Las 11:11, set for release on May 9, marks the next step in her musical journey. Additionally, she is expanding her reach beyond the Latin market with collaborations with Joe Jonas of the Jonas Brothers and renowned producer Max Martin.
“Winning the Latin Grammy for Best New Artist is one of the coolest things that has happened to me,” Taubert says in an interview with Rolling Stone. “That moment symbolizes the hard work I’ve put into my career and the support from people like my fans. It’s a mix of so many special things. I always say dreams can come true.”
Taubert, born in Bogotá, Colombia in 2000, has always dreamed of becoming a pop star. She fondly recalls dressing up as Hannah Montana as a child and continues to be a devoted fan of Taylor Swift, whose confessional songwriting greatly influenced her. “Taylor was one of the first artists who showed me how to write songs,” Taubert explains. “She inspired me to write music from the heart. I thought, ‘If she can do that, so can I.’ She motivates me to keep going and dream big.”
Much like Swift, Taubert channels her personal experiences of heartbreak and adversity into empowering pop music. Her 2023 EP, ¿Quién Dijo Que Era Fácil?, saw her breakthrough with the hit “¿Cómo Pasó?”, a song about a painful breakup. The track has amassed over 188 million streams on Spotify, and its success led to an invitation from Colombian superstar Karol G to open for her at the Mañana Será Bonito Tour in Bogotá.
“Karol is one of the most incredible women in the industry,” Taubert says. “She was the first person to open the door for me, to help me grow, and to learn from her. I’ll always have a special place for her in my heart.” When Taubert won the Latin Grammy for Best New Artist, Karol G stood and clapped for her. At the award show, Taubert also had a memorable performance with Joe Jonas, who joined her for a Spanglish rendition of “¿Cómo Pasó?”. For Taubert, it was a full-circle moment, as she had grown up singing along to Jonas and Demi Lovato’s “This Is Me.”
“To see Joe sing ‘¿Cómo Pasó?’ has been one of the most unreal moments of my life,” Taubert recalls. “It’s been beautiful to see how invested Joe has been in the song. For my first collaboration to be with him was so special.”
Preguntas a Las 11:11 showcases Taubert’s diverse pop influences. Tracks like “¿Te Imaginas?” reflect the playful pop of 2000s Britney Spears, while “¿Trato Hecho?” has an Avril Lavigne-esque rock sound. “¿Quién Soy Para Juzgar?” echoes Katy Perry’s One of the Boys era, and “¿Para Qué?” brings in a country-pop vibe similar to Taylor Swift’s earlier work. Taubert’s eclectic album explores multiple genres within pop, blending rock, country, and classic pop to create a sound that feels authentic to her as a Latina artist.
“I’ve loved pop music since I was a little girl,” she says. “Pop is so diverse, and this album reflects that. There’s rock, there’s country, there’s Britney’s pop, there’s Taylor’s pop, and I explored all of it, staying true to who I am as a Latina and my inner child who dreamed of being a pop star.”
The album also features a significant collaboration with Max Martin, the legendary producer known for his work with pop icons. Martin produced the synth-pop track “¿Es En Serio?” alongside his longtime collaborator Rami and Taubert’s producer KEVN. Taubert recalls feeling overwhelmed with emotion when she realized Martin and Rami, who had worked with many of her idols, were involved in her music. “I went to the restroom holding back tears of happiness,” she admits. “The way they treated us, no matter if we’re small artists or big ones, was next level. I’m so grateful to them.”
As Taubert was finishing her album, her close friend, Ecuadorian singer Johann Vera, asked for her help with his personal song, “Closet,” in which he came out as queer after nearly a decade of hiding his identity. Taubert co-wrote the track, which became a powerful anthem for the LGBTQ+ community. “I cried when I heard ‘Closet’ for the first time,” she says. “It’s a song that has touched so many lives. I feel so much love for the LGBTQ+ community.”
Looking ahead, Taubert is preparing for a major tour in support of Preguntas a Las 11:11. On July 12, she will perform in New York City as part of the LAMC’s SummerStage concert series in Central Park. For her, the most important part of her career moving forward is continuing to connect with fans through her music. “I want to keep winning over more hearts,” she says. “I’m so happy that people relate to my music. I want them to know that I’m here for them and that they can always find refuge in the songs I write.”
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