“To those who have yet to achieve their dreams, know that even if life is hard, there is always a way out and that with faith and love, anything can be achieved”, said the Cuban-born singer. acceptance speech. She shared the prize with Silvana Estrada, 25, a Mexican musician.
For Alvarez, the path to becoming the best new artist was far from easy. Her journey was strewn with pitfalls, starting with her father’s early disapproval of her plan to become a professional singer.
“You sing for the family, but not for the world,” she recalled telling him.
Alvarez was also separated from her four young children for two years during a period of political turmoil in Cuba in the 1960s, and she later lost her husband and only daughter to cancer. Through it all, she never gave up on her dream of sharing her music with the world.
Her grandson, Los Angeles-based composer Carlos José Alvarez, decided to produce an album of his grandmother’s music, which was released in June 2021. He did so primarily for his family and only never anticipated what was to come next for his grandmother, whom he calls “Nana”: a documentary film and a role in the recent reboot of “Father of the Bride” starring Andy Garcia.
Winning a Latin Grammy is the latest addition to Alvarez’s list of end-of-life triumphs.
“There were so many amazing surprises about it,” Carlos Alvarez, 42, told The Post. “This project is the gift that keeps on giving.”
His grandmother’s story, he said, highlights “the need to realize that dream that lives in all of us”.
In her acceptance speech, Alvarez thanked her grandson, who accompanied her to the awards show in Las Vegas, and stood beside her on stage.
“He was the one who helped me get here,” she said.
Praises for Alvarez poured in on social media, as fans called him an inspiration.
“A reminder to never stop dreaming” one person posted on Twitter.
“Dreams don’t get old” another tweet said.
Indeed, Alvarez said in his speech, “I promise you, it’s never too late.”
