The celebrity world can be competitive, more than dramatic, and let’s face it — fake. “Friends” and collaborators in the business one day can become bitter rivals tomorrow. Now add in some Latina-ness, and the drama goes up several notches. Our reputation for being assertive, vocal, no-nonsense, and quick to go from zero to 100, plus the limited spaces Latinas are allotted in music, film and television can be the perfect equation for creating feuds.
While we are all about Latinas uplifting and supporting other Latinas, we also aren’t against learning about some chisme (another of our stereotypes). Let’s take this all as a reminder that we are much stronger together, as a unified front against systems that weren’t meant for us to partake in. A win for one of us should be a win for all of us. That being said, grab some popcorn because here are some of the Latina celebrity feuds that pit Latina against Latina.
Lupe Vélez and Dolores del Rio
Latina feuds have been around since the days of Old Hollywood, even when the number of Latina actresses was very limited — and most likely because of this “feud!” Two major Mexican stars of the silver screen, Dolores del Rio and Lupe Vélez. While del Rio, the first Latina star in Hollywood, was seen as the glamorous and elegant aristocrat, Vélez was the volatile and funny “Mexican spitfire,” a moniker that she leaned into both on and off sets. It was said that Lupe couldn’t stand Dolores and her properness, and would make fun of her. I seriously need someone to make a Feud-like show about these two; how they were trailblazers for Latinas in Hollywood; and their drama, both in and out of the movies, stat!
Paulina Rubio and Thalía
When it comes to popular artists, why do you have to choose sides?! It’s always “Are you Team A or Team B?” when it comes to singers that are pitted against each other. While it can spark rivalry, rallying fans to support their faves and battle one another, it also just causes drama and division. Two ladies who have been on opposite sides of the Latinx pop culture ring are Thalía and Paulina Rubio. Both were members of the pop band Timbiriche and went on to release music in both Spanish and English. Thalía also acted in a slew of novelas, including the Maria trilogy (Maria Mercedes, Marimar, and Maria la del Barrio). There have been rumors for years, pretty much confirmed by statements from both Mexicanas, that the two went from being close to becoming simply competitors. I agree with Paulina that they should join forces, go on tour together, and shock the masses!
Mariah Carey and Jennifer Lopez
If you’ve used the iconic Mariah Carey line, “I don’t know her,” then you deserve to know about its shady back story. When Mariah was asked in 2003, about Jennifer Lopez, she dropped her brand of politically-correct-yet-totally-shade-ridden responses with the now-iconic, “I don’t know her.” Word is that a bitter Tommy Mottola sought to brand Jennifer Lopez in the style of his ex-wife, and used her to mess with Carey’s career (there are also rumors that Lopez and Mottola dated). We saw JLo adopt the golden hair, bronzed glow, and even the same sample for songs that Mariah did (Mariah also accused Jennifer of copying her style). Another lesson in the Mimi School of Shade is during another interview, where Carey was told of Lopez’s eight-hour sleep routine. Her response? “If I had the luxury of not actually having to sing my own songs, I’d do that too.”
Selena Gomez and Hailey Bieber
So many female feuds have some dude in the center of it, and that’s no different for Latina celebrities. Tejana Selena Gomez and Hailey Bieber (who we often forget is Brazilian), have been beefing over Justin Bieber for years, or at least that’s what their loyal fans believe and perpetuate. There is never-ending online back-and-forth drama among Selenators and Hailey Bieber fans whenever a new post, song, photo, interview, or live stream seems to reveal hidden feelings and motives, whether it comes from Selena, Hailey, Justin, or some combination of the three. Speculation on who really loves who, what those lyrics really meant, whether shade was thrown or not, and the like. Do I think there is something of truth to the drama between Selena Gomez, Benny Blanco, Hailey Bieber, and Justin Bieber? Yes. Is social media making everything worse? Absolutely.
