Blog

When ¡HOLA! first talked with Carín León in June, his latest album MUDA was beginning to take shape as one of the most ambitious chapters of his career. Months later, the Hermosillo native has taken that transformation much further than anyone could have imagined.    

Since our conversation, León has brought his genre-blending MUDA around the world, debuted in Japan, and made history in Las Vegas as the first Latin artist to headline Sphere.  “This year, and all these years, have been full of a lot of very beautiful, very important moments. But June, with our trip to Japan and now with our residency at the Sphere, it’s been a very mind-blowing year for us and a very important one,” he told us during our catch-up session. 

The milestones are impressive on their own, but together, they feel like a reflection of exactly what León told us MUDA was about—shedding an old version of yourself and refusing to stay inside the boundaries people expect you to.

In August, the global ambassador of Música Mexicana made his Japanese festival debut at Summer Sonic in Osaka, taking the stage at The Mountain, the festival’s international stage, with the crowd, Japanese fans included, singing along.

The trip continued in Tokyo, where León made history as the first Mexican artist to headline a festival in the capital. 

Then came Las Vegas

Just days later, León opened his seven-show residency at Sphere, and he is officially the first Latin artist to headline at the groundbreaking venue. His opening night sold out, with more than 17,000 fans filling the venue as he brought the Sonoran Desert to the Las Vegas Strip.

For León, the milestone carried more than just career bragging rights. To him, it’s “a lot of responsibility, a lot of honor, and a lot of joy to be representing Mexico in the most important venue in the world.”

Even in Vegas, he keeps his roots on the stage. The residency leaned heavily into León’s Sonoran roots, with denim, boots, oversized cowboy buckles, and the signature cowboy hat that has become part of his identity. The MUDA production was reimagined specifically for the immersive space, using Sphere’s enormous LED screen and cutting-edge sound technology to create a visual experience unlike anything he had previously brought to a Spanish-language audience.

The goal goes beyond putting on a massive show. “We’re so happy that the people feel proud about being Mexican and about being from this part of the world,” he said. “You can see that people are having more than fun at a show. They feel like they are a part of something, and that’s the goal of the show.”

But the bigger the stage gets, the higher the stakes become. Just days into his residency, León had to postpone his September 10 performance at the last minute after he was unable to get from Hermosillo to Las Vegas. The announcement came after fans had already arrived at the 20,000-capacity venue, prompting boos and frustration from the crowd and social media.

León later explained that the first plane he was scheduled to take developed brake problems around 3 p.m., while a second aircraft experienced steering issues around 5 p.m. He said authorities ultimately would not allow them to fly.

The singer apologized to fans, acknowledging that many had spent money and time traveling to Las Vegas for the performance. “I sincerely apologize from the bottom of my heart and want to reaffirm our love for you. This isn’t a lack of commitment on our part,” he assured fans. “Things simply didn’t go as we had hoped, and I stand here feeling deeply embarrassed.”

For an artist whose latest album is literally about shedding skin and transforming, the moment offered a reminder that the bigger the career becomes, the more public the setbacks become, too.

It’s the kind of global expansion that makes our conversation with León months ago feel even more revealing. At the time, he described MUDA as the “biggest risk we’ve ever taken on an album.” 

The project moves between salsa, blues, disco, Colombian folk traditions, cumbia, ska, Mexican mambo, quebradita, pop, rock, and regional Mexican music, refusing to sit neatly inside one genre. “We imagined our music with a more global sound and wanted to expand our culture by fusing it with more mainstream influences. We focused on the vibe and on seeing how far our music could go,” he told HOLA. 

The answer to how far it can go keeps changing. “When I first started my career, my goals weren’t even close to what I’m achieving right now,” León said. “Every milestone opens another door. Every new place we get to perform becomes fuel. It makes me want to keep looking for opportunities, keep expanding my music, and keep expanding my culture.”

The heart of MUDA

The heart of MUDA, however, isn’t really about the venues or the numbers. It is about transformation. The album’s title references muda de piel—shedding skin—while also playing with the symbolism of León’s hometown of Hermosillo. That idea of shedding one version of yourself to make room for another comes up repeatedly when he talks about his life.

“This was one of the loneliest albums I’ve ever made,” he admitted. That wasn’t because he was working alone. León created the project alongside longtime collaborators, including Grammy and Latin Grammy-winning producer Edgar Barrera. Instead, the loneliness came from making something deeply personal without worrying as much about whether everyone else would understand it.

“I approached it selfishly,” León said. “I wanted the sound. I wanted the lyrics a certain way. This album is very personal.”

He had reached a point where success itself could make honest feedback harder to find. “When you reach a certain point in your career, everybody sweet-talks you. Honest criticism becomes harder to find,” he explained. “So I tried to keep this album for myself and trust my own ears and my own taste.”

Now, with more time between himself and the album, León says one of the biggest lessons has been trusting what feels authentic to him. “I think the big lesson for me is that I love romantic music. I love ballads. I love this kind of music, and it’s one of my favorite genres to do.”

The response to “Desde Que Te Tengo” only reinforced that instinct. “And now, with ‘Desde Que Te Tengo’ and seeing the hit that it became and the response from people, it just shows me that when you’re sincere with what you’re doing, it’s gonna happen.”

That instinct seems to be paying off. The same artist who once worried that moving too far away from traditional regional Mexican music could alienate his audience is now taking those sounds to Japan and one of the world’s most technologically advanced concert venues.

Transforming from insecure Oscar to superhero Carín

No one understands a transformation better than León himself. His birth name is Oscar Armando Díaz de León, while “Carín León” began, as he puts it, as a marketing decision.

“We wanted something more memorable and easier to remember,” he explained. “Carín comes from Oscar. León comes from one of my last names. It felt stronger graphically, and I’m a Leo too, so it has a lot to do with me.”

When he walks onto a stage in front of thousands of people, something shifts. “When I’m on stage, it’s almost magical. Oscar, as a person, is very insecure. I’m kind of shy in some aspects of my life,” he revealed. 

For León, the relationship between Oscar and Carín has become essential to his art. When I asked him if overcoming some of those insecurities changed the way he made music, he responded, “Absolutely.”

“Every day you’re a different person. You’re constantly changing, and music changes too. Most of the music I write comes more from Oscar than from Carín,” he continued. “That connection between the human being and the alter ego is very interesting. I think it’s the winning formula. When you stay connected to the root of your feelings, it’s easier to transmit those emotions on stage.”

The duality between Oscar and Carin is something I witnessed in person. At his Palenque in Mexico, one of his favorite places to play, León started the night in a cowboy hat and suit, then ended in a T-shirt and baseball cap. Well, multiple baseball caps, because he kept throwing them out into the crowd for his fans. The change from traditional to a more casual, comfortable street look felt intentional. 

“It actually goes back to what we’ve been talking about with alter egos,” he said when I asked about the changes. “As the show goes on, I start feeling more comfortable. The hat gets heavy after a couple of hours.”

“Sometimes I switch to a cap. Sometimes I change my boots for sneakers. I like showing another side of myself. I like showing a little more of Oscar through those changes,” the “Ay Lupita” singer explained. 

And his fans are along for every part of the ride. Watching León interact with his audience is incredible. He makes eye contact with fans and gives them a nod to throw their hats onto the middle of the floor, where they’re collected so he can sign each one mid-performance. 

At one point, he walked around the front row, taking selfies and serenading everyone. “Those moments can stay with people forever,” León added.

Carín the dancer

That same freedom has extended to his music. Even his dancing, which has become a signature part of his live shows, wasn’t planned. “I never thought, ‘At this concert, I’m going to start dancing,’” he said. “It’s just what I feel in the moment.”

Living in the moment is clearly what’s working, even as people try to guess his motives or goals with the genre. He isn’t trying to make regional Mexican music bigger; he’s becoming bigger alongside it while staying grounded and honoring where he came from, and the people who have always been there next to him.

His friends and musicians from Hermosillo remain part of his band, including his brother, Luis Díaz de León, who is an incredible guitar player. He still plays soccer with his friends on Mondays and has carne asadas on the weekends. 

He still listens to the same music he did before the fame. “When you get to live your dream with the people you love, success takes on a completely different meaning,” he said.

The woman who has his heart 

That grounding has become particularly important as his career continues moving at a rapid pace. Aside from his friends and family, León has found a similar sense of peace with his partner Meylin Zúñiga. 

After his album release in Mexico City, the couple experienced a terrifying elevator accident that left Zúñiga with a broken foot. When HOLA! eventually caught up with him after his interview on Good Morning America a month later, León’s relief was obvious. “She’s here with me, and she’s almost fully healed now,” he said. “Thanks to God, it wasn’t anything more serious.”

When the elevator incident happened, dramatic images showed León carrying her out of the venue. “Social media made it look much worse than it was,” he explained. 

Still, he jumped in immediately to help, something he plans to do forever. “As a man, my father and my grandfather taught me that you’re there to protect the woman you love. I’m going to protect her for the rest of my days,” he says. For someone who has spent years protecting his personal life, León speaks about Zúñiga with surprising openness. After her injury, fans noticed he referred to her as his wife in his statement, sparking speculation about whether or not they had a secret wedding.

When I asked about his word choice, he said they’re still in planning mode. “I’m very happy with the life we’re building together,” he said. “It’s definitely in our plans. We just need to find the time. But when it happens, you’ll be one of the first to know.” 

As for when he knew she was the one, he says, “Since the beginning of our relationship.” “She’s everything I’ve been looking for my whole life. A good person. A good friend. Someone who truly loves me,” León continued.

He gushed about her impact on his life, explaining, “She came into my life and took away some of the angry boy. Some of the frustration.” For years, León’s music explored heartbreak, frustration, longing, and complicated emotions. Today, he seems lighter. “She’s always happy,” he says. “And happiness is contagious.”

What comes next

León isn’t slowing down. Looking toward 2027, he revealed that another album is already taking shape, one that will push even further into the intersection of country music and Regional Mexicano. “Another album is coming. This is our biggest approach to country music in Spanish, mixing country music with Regional Mexicano. We’re very proud of this project,” he said.

The project is being made with musicians and collaborators from Hermosillo, Sonora, and elsewhere in Mexico. “We’re doing it with all the love that we put into all of our stuff, with a lot of very talented people from Hermosillo, Sonora, and from other parts of Mexico.”

Plus, he’s returning to the Sphere. “We’re coming back to the Sphere in 2027,” León revealed. He has a three-show run on September 16, 17, and 18. “We’re coming to some very important festivals too. We’re gonna be on the road all 2027, so you’re gonna hear about Carín a lot, a lot more.”

Ben Affleck is proving he is a master at his craft both in front of and behind the camera. After starring in and directing Air back in 2023, fans will get to see his duality once again, but this time he’s putting himself in the middle of a family crisis.

On Tuesday, Netflix dropped the trailer and first images for Animals, giving viewers a first look at the action-packed and spicy-looking film, with steamy moments between Affleck and Washington. It follows the Kimballs through a night that forces them to question the people around them and each other.

In Animals, which was co-written by Affleck and Connor O. McIntyre, Affleck plays Mark Kimball, a Los Angeles mayoral candidate whose life changes overnight when his son is kidnapped. Then, polished and seemingly perfect, Mark and his wife, Abigail (Kerry Washington), start falling apart.

As they raise the ransom money, the couple has to figure out who they can trust as their personal secrets begin to unravel. With their family in danger, there is no way to control what happens next.

It’s a diverse cast with Mexican actress Adriana Paz and Mexican actor and producer Luis Gerardo Méndez among the stars. Steven Yeun, Gillian Anderson, and Ray Fisher are also part of the cast. 

The role was almost going to be Jennifer Garner’s 

Affleck’s ex-wife Jennifer Garner was initially going to play Abigail, with Matt Damon starring as Mark. He told Entertainment Weekly, “I thought, God, Jen Garner would be amazing for this role.” “It also has the added benefit of, like, both of us will see our kids more because we do a week and a week and back and forth. I thought, well, we can coordinate our schedules around it.”

But after the film got scrapped, once they decided to bring it back to life, Damon was off filming the Odyssey. Once Affleck decided he would step in as Mark, Garner advised him, “We don’t wanna do that. You just get baggage.” 

That doesn’t mean he doesn’t want to work with her in the future; he told the outlet he “would love to work with her, frankly.” “She’s fabulous, and we’re really good friends, and I’m profoundly grateful to her, and we have a great thing. I still would wanna work with her in the future, but what you don’t wanna do is take the audience’s baggage and have it work against you, you know?”

Animals premieres on Netflix Oct. 9.

Hispanic Heritage Month is officially here, giving families a full month to celebrate Hispanic and Latino cultures, histories, traditions, and contributions. Observed annually from September 15 through October 15, the celebration can also be an opportunity to bring more Spanish-language entertainment into kids’ everyday routines.

For parents looking for educational Spanish-language shows that children may already recognize, PBS KIDS on Prime Video has a lineup worth adding to the family watchlist.

The streaming channel features a dedicated “En Español” carousel filled with Spanish versions of familiar children’s series. That means kids can follow favorite characters while hearing stories, conversations, lessons, and adventures unfold in Spanish.

PBS KIDS itself is also marking Hispanic Heritage Month with programming centered on Hispanic and Latino communities. Its 2026 lineup includes new episodes of Alma’s Way and Rosie’s Rules, both available in English and Spanish. Alma’s Way follows a Puerto Rican girl growing up in the Bronx, while Rosie’s Rules centers on a Mexican American preschooler and her family.

For families who want even more Spanish-language viewing options, here are five PBS KIDS favorites currently offered in Spanish through Prime Video.

PBS KIDS Spanish-Language Shows to Watch With Children

The Berenstain Bears en Español

The beloved Bear family brings its everyday adventures to Spanish-speaking and bilingual households in The Berenstain Bears en Español.

Set in Bear Country, the series follows the Berenstain family as they encounter the kinds of problems, disagreements, responsibilities, and funny situations young children can recognize from their own lives.

At the center of the stories are family, loyalty, humor, and figuring things out together. For children already familiar with the characters, watching the Spanish-language version can offer a comfortable introduction to hearing familiar concepts expressed in another language.

 Dinosaur Train en Español

Dinosaurs plus trains is already a strong preschool combination. Add Spanish-language storytelling and Dinosaur Train en Español becomes another option for families interested in bilingual screen time.

The series follows Buddy and the Pteranodon family as they travel aboard the Dinosaur Train, meet other prehistoric creatures, and explore the dinosaur world.

The adventures give young viewers plenty to talk about after an episode, whether the conversation is about a newly discovered dinosaur, a Spanish word they heard, or where the family should travel next.

Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood en Español

For preschool families, Daniel Tiger probably needs little introduction.

Inspired by Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood uses everyday situations to help young children understand emotions, relationships, routines, and social skills.

Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood en Español brings those lessons to children in Spanish. Because the show focuses on recognizable childhood experiences, from dealing with feelings to interacting with other people, its Spanish-language episodes can make useful vocabulary part of a story children understand.

It is a particularly practical pick for families who want Spanish-language kids’ shows that combine entertainment with social-emotional learning.

Cyberchase en Español

Older kids who like problem-solving can head into Cyberspace with Cyberchase en Español.

The long-running educational series combines adventures with challenges that encourage children to think through problems. In the Spanish-language episodes available through PBS KIDS on Prime Video, viewers can follow the characters as they deal with Hacker and his latest schemes.

Among the adventures highlighted in the collection are Hacker’s malicious letter campaign and his attempt to use the wish-granting Ring of Radopolis.

The result is a Spanish-language streaming option with plenty of action for children who have moved beyond preschool programming but still enjoy learning while they watch.

Caillou en Español

Caillou en Español brings another recognizable children’s character to the Spanish-language lineup.

The featured adventures include Caillou eagerly waiting for the first snowfall of winter, imagining building the biggest snowman in the world, and singing Christmas carols with his family for the first time.

For families introducing Spanish to younger children, familiar everyday experiences and seasonal activities can provide helpful context for new vocabulary. Instead of treating language learning like a formal lesson, children get to hear Spanish while following a story.

Spanish-Language Kids’ Shows Can Fit Into Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month recognizes the histories, cultures, achievements, and contributions of people with heritage connected to Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. PBS KIDS notes that the celebration runs from September 15 through October 15 and offers families additional ways to mark the month through books, recipes, music, and other activities.

Spanish-language children’s programming can be one piece of that larger celebration.

For bilingual households, Spanish episodes can help make the language part of everyday entertainment. For children learning Spanish, watching a familiar show in another language may give them useful context as they listen. And for Spanish-dominant families, having recognizable educational programming available in Spanish provides more choice.

Of course, Hispanic Heritage Month extends far beyond language alone. Hispanic and Latino communities encompass many countries, cultures, traditions, identities, and experiences. Families can pair screen time with books by Latino authors, music, recipes, conversations about family heritage, museum visits, and stories about influential Hispanic and Latino figures.