Ninel Conde has come a long way from her days as a finalist in the Miss Mexico pageant.  Since then she has performed for millions with her musical spectacular, appeared in the highest rated international soap operas, hosted major television broadcasts and received a Latin Grammy nomination.
Now she returns to her musical roots with the release ‘Ayer & Hoy’ and prepares to take America – and the world – by storm.

Photographed exclsusively for HOMBRE by John Hong
Styling: Nataly Lastorta
Hair: Carlos Amaro
Makeup: Jacob Yebale
Location: John Hong Studio Santa Monica, Los Angeles
Special Thanks: Jose Rodriguez, Azul Public Relations

HOMBRE: What’s the theme of the new record?
Ninel Conde: ‘Ayer y Hoy’ is a concept record, based on covers from the 70s and 80s.  These songs were recorded in English and Spanish and we added modern rhythms and updated them with a 21st century sound.  It’s a happy record. It’s made so that if you’re feeling sad or depressed this record will lift you up. I did it so I could put on a lively show filled with excitement and fun.

H: What are some of the songs?
NC: ‘Vivir asi es morir de amor’ originally done by Camilo Sesto is the first cut. Then we have ‘Hoy Tengo Ganas de Ti’ from Miguel Gallardo, which is my favorite.  It’s a very suggestive song. We have ‘Fruta Fresca’ from Carlos Vives and Abba’s ‘Dancing Queen’ which is a bonus track in English. We have twelve songs in total, ten covers and two new tracks.

H: How did the idea for the record come about?
NC: I wanted to sing songs people knew but I wanted to make them mine.  I wanted to do songs an older generation would remember and a new generation would learn to appreciate. This is a record that young and old alike can enjoy. I love all these songs!

H: Tell us about the show you’re preparing.
NC: We’re preparing a brand new show using the songs of the record. We filmed the video for the first single in the Mojave Desert, using great dancers from Los Angeles. I’m very excited about the new show. We’re using the same choreographer from my first video, Michael Schwandt. He choreographed for Lady Gaga and he is choreographing my entire show. The show has so many new ideas and has great promise. I’m so happy! We plan to tour the show in Mexico, bring it to the U.S., Latin America, Spain… everywhere!

H: Any plans for film or television?
NC: I’m doing Estudio 2, a show with Estrella TV where I’m the host. But I want to concentrate on the record and the new show.  It requires a lot of time.
I would love a project in the U.S. with a U.S. network, but for now I need to focus on the musical show.

H: Is performing something you always wanted to do?
NC:  Yes, since I was a child. I always wanted to sing, dance, act.  I would stand in from of a mirror and act and cry. I even scared my mom because I was so dramatic!  This was something I always wanted to do.

H: What advice can you offer someone interested in show business?
NC:  I would tell them to never give up. This is career of persistence, and sometimes slow.  There are many doors that close, but there also doors that open. You have to know how to make decisions.  And you always need to be ready because you never know when an opportunity will appear.

And it’s very important that you surround yourself with positive people who support you.

H: Now on a more personal note, tell us, what is your idea of the perfect hombre?
NC: Wow! Well I need a loyal person. Someone who has faith in God and a fear of God. A man who respects women and has solid principles. He should be authentic, sensitive and fun. You can’t ask for more.