History
Alicia Villarreal (born Martha Alicia Villarreal Esparza on August 31, 1974, in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico) is a Mexican singer who has received a Latin Grammy Award.
Villarreal's earliest public performances included singing "Mundo De Juguetes" on the national television show Pipo and a performance at a church fundraiser. In 1995, she became the lead singer for the grupera band Grupo Límite. The group toured with the well-known Grupo Bronco and released popular songs such as "Acariciame," "Te Aprovechas," and "Solo Contigo." Grupo Límite released a total of six albums, including a live recording from Mexico City.
Solo Career and Notable Releases
In 2003, Villarreal launched her solo career with the ranchera-style album Soy Lo Prohibido. The album's lead single, "Te Quedo Grande la Yegua," features lyrics where she asserts her strength and independence in a relationship.
Following her departure from Grupo Límite, Villarreal released her second solo album, Cuando el Corazón se Cruza, in 2004. This album was produced by her husband, Cruz Martínez, with whom she co-wrote several tracks. The album earned her multiple awards.
Villarreal was a featured performer at the widely televised event Selena Vive, where she sang "Si Una Vez." This performance was later included on a dual disc edition of Cuando El Corazón Se Cruza, released in Mexico in 2005. The dual disc also featured two new songs, "Punalada Trapera" and "Ya No Hay Amor," five remixes of her earlier work, and a collection of her music videos.
Her third solo album, Orgullo De Mujer, was released in 2006, preceded by the single "Insensible a Ti."
Personal Life
Alicia Villarreal has a daughter, Melanie Aidée, born in 1999. She is married to Cruz Martínez, who is known for his work with international bands Kumbia Kings and Los Super Reyes. The couple welcomed a son, Cruz Angelo Martinez, in December 2005, followed by another son, Felix Estefano Martinez, in February 2006.
