How Gloria Trevi Became a Second Mother to Chiquis: Gloria Has a Big Place in My Heart

Gloria Trevi, one of Latin music’s most iconic, controversial, and influential figures, will be honored with the MusicTrajectory award at Billboard’s 2026 Latin Women in Music ceremony. Known for her diva-meets-punk attitude and larger-than-life stage presence, Trevi has captivated audiences fornearly fourdecades with her fearless, unrestrained artistry. From the rebellious stomp of “PeloSuelto” to vulnerable ballads like “El Favor de la Soledad,” her music brims with raw honesty, sharp social commentary and unapologetic intensity. Her signature vocal rasp and “sinpelosenla lengua” mindset — as noted byartistChiquisRivera— have cemented Trevi’s status as a singular force in Latin music.

With three top 10 hits on Hot Latin Songs (“CincoMinutos,” “Con Los OjosCerrados,” “MeSientoTan Sola”) and countless other milestones, the Mexican superstar’s legacy extends far beyond the charts. A master of reinvention, Trevi has fearlessly navigated personal and professional hurdles, consistentlyrewritingthe rules while amplifying themes of empowerment and resilience.

Chiquis — honored with the Impact Award at last year’s LatinWomenin Music and host of the2026 gala—reflectson theinfluenceofher colleague andclosefriend.

Watch Billboard’s Mujeres Latinas en la Música live April 23, beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT on Telemundo, and stream live on Peacock and the Telemundo app. Watch Billboard’s red carpet livestream on theBillboard.comand the Billboard Latin YouTube channel. For more coverage on Latin Women In Music clickhere.

My first introduction to Gloria Trevi as an artist was with “PeloSuelto” (1991) where I was like, “This woman is awesome.”Then Igot to know more about her with “La Papa Sin Catsup” (1994) because my mom(Jenni Rivera) covered that song [in 2003].That’swhen the relationship between her and my mom started developingbecause that’s when Gloria was incarcerated (2000-2004). Gloria wasvery gratefulthat my mom did that. My mom was a fan.They became really good friends.

Gloria presented my mom’s[posthumous]Hollywood Walk of Fame Star in 2024. We asked her to speak because my momdidn’thave many friends in the industry, she had acquaintances. She really considered Gloria a friend. Gloria has been so great with us since the day my mom passed.

I know they would talk all the time, and if they were in the same city, they would see each other. If my momwentto McAllen [where Gloria is based], she would go to their house — she was alsovery goodfriends with Armando, Gloria’s husband.When my mom needed advice, she would talk to Gloria and vice versa. They hada very beautifulbond.

Gloria and Armando were some of the first people to call us when my mom passed away (ina plane crash in2012). She said, “Whateveryou guysneed, I am here. See me like a second mother, like a friend, like a sister.”I’llnever forget that. When Johnny, my brother, was about 11, she felt responsible for looking after us.Johnny and her eldest son are very close.

A few years later,at an award show,I asked Gloria’s permission tosing“PeloSuelto,”and she said, “Oh my God, absolutely.” And we got to perform it together! Tothis day, that is one of my favorite performances.I’llnever forget that Gloriasaidtome backstage, “You got this!I’mnotgoing toshrink myself for you because I would be doing a disservicetoyou.” I was like, “Wow, I’mgoing tostep it up because I’m with freaking Gloria Trevi!” It was such an amazing experience.

There’sanother[anecdote]with my song “LaMalquerida,”[which]wasactually hersong. She told me, “I wrote this for atelenovela, but I want you to have it. Take it, record it.”It was a single [from 2025] that did pretty well.

She’sinvited me to her house to have dinner, and whenevershe’sin LA we try to see each other.

I love that Gloria has a very distinct voice. Itdidn’tmatter where you heardher,you knew that’s Gloria.She’salways been very outspoken in her music. She speaks about real things and sings things about female empowerment, likein“CincoMinutos.”Notienepelosenla lengua(shedoesn’tmince words), and I love that about her. She writes her own music. She pays attention to every detail in her show.I’veseen her draw out what she wants on stage, what she wants her costumes to look like. When she goes up on stage,she’sacompletely different person.And when you speak to her offstage, she’s very soft-spoken and gentle.

She saysthat’swhereshe’sthe happiest, that she gets to play and be herself [on stage]. I asked her, “How do you jump and do all these splits?”She’slike, “I feel somethingtakes over me.I’mso happy and Idon’tfeel anything.It’snot until I get off stagethatI’mlike, ‘Okay, my back hurts.’ ”

She loves what she does andshe’sso passionate about it. Her whole life is about her music and hercareer,andshe’ssuper involved in every aspect. To me as an artist,that’sa beautiful thing becauseI’velearned from her. In the beginning of my career, Iwasn’tlike [I am today]. We had a few conversations,and she gave me a little kick. She became my music mentor.

She said, “As your [second] mother on this earth — because I know what your mom would have wanted — I’ll be there to guide you through any questions you have.” And she did. She helped me a lot, especially in the third and fourth years of my career. I think she did it out of the love she had for my mom and the love she began to feel for me.

But I also know whatshe’sbeen through and how hardit’sbeen for her. She helped me so much and told me, “Just as your mom helped me, I’m going to help you.” It was like paying it forward. Gloria has a big place in my heart.