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We all know that when it comes to these addictive dramas, the villains steal the show with their deliciously evil antics. They're the ones who make us scream at the TV and cheer for the heroes. So, grab your popcorn and get ready as we dive into the world of telenovela wickedness. Here are ten of the juiciest, most unforgettable villains that have graced our screens and made us love to hate them!
Catalina Creel in Cuna de Lobos
María Rubio's portrayal of Catalina Creel in "Cuna de Lobos” is nothing short of iconic. With her fake innocence and murderous schemes, Catalina proves that even a visually impaired woman can be a master manipulator. She'll have you on the edge of your seat, wondering what devilish plan she'll come up with next.
Soraya Montenegro in María la del Barrio
If you haven't heard of Soraya Montenegro, where have you been? Itatí Cantoral's over-the-top portrayal of this diva villainess in "María la del Barrio" is the stuff of legends. From her dramatic slaps to her iconic "maldita lisiada" catchphrase, Soraya has undoubtedly graced us with the most iconic telenovela moments (and GiFs) of all time.
María Fernández Acuña de San Román in La Madrastra
Victoria Ruffo takes the cake as the ultimate wicked stepmother in "La Madrastra." This woman stops at nothing to ruin her stepdaughter's life. Ruffo's performance will leave you with a burning desire to shake some sense into her character. Kudos to Ruffo for making us feel so passionately about hating her!
Rubí Pérez Ochoa in Rubí
Barbara Mori's Rubí in the aptly named telenovela "Rubí" is a real gem among villains. This seductive and ambitious character will claw her way to success, leaving a trail of broken hearts and shattered dreams in her wake. Mori's portrayal is as dazzling as Rubí's craving for wealth and power.
Paola Bracho in La Usurpadora
Meet the ultimate telenovela twins, Paola and Paulina, played by Gabriela Spanic. But it's Paola Bracho, the conniving sister, who steals the show in "La Usurpadora." Spanic's performance is a masterclass in villainy, and you won't be able to resist shouting, "You go, girl!" while she plots her wicked schemes.
Teresa Chávez in Teresa
Angelique Boyer, in her portrayal of the eponymous Teresa Chávez in "Teresa," brings to life a character who is cunning, manipulative, and ruthlessly ambitious. Teresa's relentless pursuit of wealth and power, regardless of the emotional cost to those around her, makes her one of the most riveting villainesses on the small screen.
Angélica Santibañez in Marimar
As Marimar's haughty and bitter aunt-in-law, Angélica takes pleasure in belittling the innocent and unsuspecting Marimar. Chantal Andere brings an unforgettable cruel edge to her character, delivering each insult and scornful smirk with a relish that makes her role as the villainess utterly captivating.
Patricia Fernández in Yo Soy Betty, La Fea
Oh, Patricia Fernández, you conniving beauty! Played to perfection by Lorna Cepeda in "Yo Soy Betty, La Fea," Patricia is the kind of character we all love to despise. As Betty's office nemesis, she stirs up trouble with a glamorous smile on her face and an insatiable ambition in her heart. Patricia's endless attempts to rise through the ranks, often at the expense of others, makes her a villain we can't wait to see brought down to earth!
Malvina Morantes in María Mercedes
The ruthless Malvina Morantes, masterfully portrayed by Laura Zapata in "María Mercedes," is the epitome of an evil, heartless villain. Malvina's disdain for María and her relentless attempts to make her life a living hell make our blood boil. Zapata's performance will leave you shouting at your screen as she effortlessly embodies the wickedness of her character.
Tamara de la Colina in El privilegio de amar
Cynthia Klitbo's Tamara de la Colina in "El privilegio de amar" is a villainess that sends shivers down our spines. Tamara is a manipulative and relentless character, always scheming to get what she wants no matter who she hurts along the way. Her cold-heartedness and devious plots make her a standout villain.
These telenovela villains are the crème de la crème of wickedness, the cream in our coffee, the habanero in our salsa. They make us yell at the screen, gasp in disbelief, and secretly root for their downfall. These ten characters, brought to life by talented actors, have left an indelible mark on the telenovela landscape. So, the next time you find yourself captivated by a villain's evil plot, remember to appreciate the brilliance and charm that these actors bring to the dark side of the telenovela world!
The 90s remain a beloved era for many who experienced the transition of tech, pop music, and fashion. From flip phones to itty bitty crop tops that didn’t cover nearly enough (please, Gen Z, leave the cringe 90s fashion in the past where it belongs), the 90s hold a special place in our hearts. If you want to feel the nostalgia, here are 10 ways to tell you’re 90’s Latina through and through:
Selena Quintanilla was (and still is) your queen
For 90's Latinas, Selena Quintanilla wasn't just a singer; she was an icon. She was talented, beautiful, stylish, and warm, and her cultural impact lives on to this day. If you grew up singing "Como La Flor" into your hairbrush and dreaming of having Selena’s wardrobe, you're definitely a 90's Latina.
Your closet was all about flannel and denim
The 90s were all about grunge fashion, and Latinas embraced it better than anyone. Whether it was pairing a flannel shirt with ripped jeans or sporting a denim jacket accessorized with patches, you did it all. Don’t even get us started on Colombian jeans, the low-rise ones popularized by Shakira in her “Whenever, Wherever” music video. We all had a pair of those, and unless you looked just like Shakira or Christina Aguilera, you probably hated them as much as the dreaded crop top. We won’t get into the body dysmorphia and body image problems 90’s fashion created… (this part, we definitely don’t miss).
Boy bands and pop divas were your jam
From Ricky Martin to Shakira, and from the Backstreet Boys to *NSYNC, the 90s were a golden age for boy bands and pop divas. The boy band Menudo even had a bit of a resurgence thanks to all that boy band craze. If your CD collection was filled with their albums, and you spent hours practicing dance moves from their music videos and declaring yourself a “genie in a bottle” ala Christina Aguilera, there’s no doubt you’re a 90's Latina.
You grew up watching telenovelas
Long before streaming services ruled the world, telenovelas were the ultimate form of entertainment for Latinas. Whether you were rooting for Thalía in "María la del Barrio" or swooning over Eduardo Yañez, your evenings were spent glued to the television, wrapped up in the drama and romance of it all. The fact that you had to wait for a new episode and count down the days until the grand finale, speaks to the power of overacted, hardly believable drama. Admit it, it was fun! And there’s nothing like that time with family sharing in the shocking moments unfolding.
You perfected the art of wearing butterfly clips
No 90's Latina's hair was complete without a bunch of butterfly clips in every color, glittery style, and size. Whether you preferred neon colors or glittery designs, the butterfly clips were a staple and you refused to leave the house without them. Nowadays, butterfly clips have made a bit of a comeback, and they’re still one of the most popular 90’s hairstyles people reference.
You had crunchy hair
Curly-haired Latinas were crazy about making their hair as hard and crunchy as possible. We’re sure every Latina did this at least once, even if you’ve suppressed the memory. The second you stepped out of the shower, you would drench your locks in gel and/or mousse until your hair was as stiff as humanly possible. And the straight-haired Latinas were trying every perm out there to try to get that curly look. Let’s be honest, it was a good time!
You watched “Sabado Gigante” religiously
For 90's Latinas, Saturday mornings meant one thing: "Sabado Gigante." Hosted by the legendary Don Francisco, the variety show was a staple of Latin American television and you just couldn’t miss it. The power of “Sabado Gigante” is difficult to explain; you just had to be there and we’re glad we were! We’re happy, of course, to leave the scantily clad product models in the past.
You adored your Tamagotchi
Photo by COSMOH LOVE on UnsplashTamagotchis were more than just toys; they were our dear pets and friends. Were you a slave to a silly little virtual pet? Yes. But was it entertaining and did you love it? Also yes. Tamagotchis are iconic and they were a quintessential part of growing up in the 90's. They’re still around today, but nothing will beat the way we experienced them in the 90’s.
You practiced your Spanish with “Sesame Street”
Photo by USAG- Humphreys on Flickr
"Plaza Sésamo" was more than just a television show; it was a way for 90’s Latinas to practice their Spanish. From learning the alphabet to singing along with catchy songs, "Sesame Street" had a huge role in shaping the cultural identity of Latina children. It also paved the way for shows like Dora the Explorer to reach massive mainstream popularity in the 2000s.
You had the biggest crush on Chayanne
Album Cover "Tiempo de Vals" Credit: Sony Music
Honestly, who wouldn’t? Not only did Chayanne have the looks, but he also had the voice AND the dance moves. The phenomenon of Chayanne and the way he swept so many people off their feet should be studied. He didn’t try to copy the “cross-over” artists like Ricky Martin and Enrique Iglesias. Instead, he stuck to his native language of Spanish and it wasn’t until 1998, with his breakout role and song in “Dance with Me,” that he proved his charisma could carry over into the English-language market. He didn’t stay there long though, choosing to continue to mostly produce in Spanish.
Being a 90's Latina was quite a way of life and while times have changed a lot, those memories will always have a special place in our hearts.
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Many of us might fondly remember growing up with novelas playing after la cena, curled up on the couch watching the overly dramatic and rarely believable drama unfold (wait, so the not-murdered switched-at-birth twin’s suegra’s cousin is the ACTUAL heir to the family fortune??). Into adulthood novelas remain that escape from reality that we love to dive into.
Check out the Luz list of the best telenovelas to revisit and reminisce about.
Maria la del Barrio
One of the most famous novelas in TV history goes down as Maria la del Barrio. Featuring superstars Thalia as Maria and Fernando Colunga as Fernando De La Vega, our all-time favorite telenovela star (and meme queen) Itati Contoral plays Soraya Montenegro as the villain in this classic novela. This classic rags to riches story resonated with so many U.S. based audiences as this novela coincided with peak migration of Latinos to the United States - many arriving with the myth of the American Dream in mind.
Rubi
Rubí Pérez is a poor woman intent on making it by marrying a rich man. Bárbara Mori dazzles us in this novela about a woman who falls in love with Alejandro, a middle class doctor, only to dump him in search of the life she has always wanted with Héctor, a rich architect. The twists and turns are endless in this classic story, making it a must-see in our book.
Teresa
Who doesn’t love a self-sabotaging protagonist looking for a way out of poverty? Teresa is one of our most beloved novelas with Angelique Boyer in the main role, scheming her way through life looking for financial security after growing up poor. Love interests come and go, but Teresa is always true to her goals in this story: “Entre ser y no ser, yo soy” after all.
Dos Mujeres un Camino
A classic love triangle ensues when Johnny, a married man and truck driver from Mexico, falls in love with a woman while delivering goods to the United States. Erik Estrada, Laura León and Bibi Gaytán are the main characters in this show from the early 90s and they’re sure to stir up some memories. Not to mention the hit theme song performed by Laura Leon is a cumbia banger.
La Usurpadora
We can’t forget about La Usurpadora, featuring Gabriela Spanic as twins Paulina and Paola with Fernando Colunga as Carlos Bracho, the main love interest for both characters. Separated twins at birth, dramatic romance, and an evil sibling make this one of the best telenovelas in history.
Amigas y Rivales
A star-studded show, Amigas y Rivales tells the tale of four women from all walks of life as their lives intersect in different ways. Endless drama surrounds Laura, Jimena, Ofelia, and Nayeli as they navigate life together, a true coming-of-age story (with a huge dose of twists!). It also became one of the first novelas to resonate with millennials, as an insight into life as young adults.
Rebelde
Who else loved Rebelde so much that you’d end up singing the theme song for weeks? We definitely did. Six students attending Elite Way School named Mia, Diego, Roberta, Miguel, Lupita, and Giovanni all navigate school while coming together to form a band. Elitism runs amok in this story of love, music, and a classist society - the drama!
La Reina Del Sur
Kate del Castillo plays Teresa Mendoza, a woman from humble beginnings whose life takes a dramatic turn after the murder of her pilot boyfriend. This series quickly escalates as Teresa makes her way to the top of the drug trafficking world in Spain. A show that took an eight year hiatus before coming back in 2019, it’s now been renewed for a 3rd season and we can’t wait to watch!
La Fea Mas Bella
Angelica Vale takes the screen as Leticia Padilla Solis (also known as “Lety”) with Jaime Camil as Fernando Mendiola in this love story. By mainstream beauty standards, Lety is an unattractive woman who lands a dream job at Conceptos, Mexico’s leading media company. Elizabeth Alvarez, who plays Marcia, Fernando’s jealous fiance, plots to keep him all to herself. Drama unfolds in this classic novela that resulted in an American adaptation (Ugly Betty) that cast America Ferrera as the lead.
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