Pop star Ally Brooke cites Tejano artists as early influences while growing up in San Antonio

Pop star Ally Brooke was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. Before she rose to fame as a member of girl group Fifth Harmony, the singer and author spent many weekends at historic Market Square in the Alamo City belting out tunes from some of her favorite Tejano artists. While promoting her book, Finding Your Harmony, at the virtual San Antonio Book Festival on April 9, Ally Brooke spoke about her Tejano roots and some of the artists that were early influences, including Shelly Lares, Emilio Navaira, and Elida Reyna.

“Elida Reyna, actually she is amazing, she has an amazing voice,” said Ally Brooke. “In fact when I was a young girl performing in San Antonio before I got signed and all that, I sang one of her songs called ‘Duele.’ That is a song that I covered by her that is still one of my favorite songs to this day.”

Ally Brooke added a performance of one of Reyna’s biggest hits can be found online and she was proud to have the two-time Latin Grammy winner as one of her biggest supporters.

“Oh my gosh, yes it is, because you grow up and you sing these artists’ songs or listen to them and then they support you in your own success, it’s amazing,” she said.

The 27-year-old singer shared many memories of her San Antonio roots in her best-selling book, Finding Your Harmony, released in October 2020. The memoir covers aspects of her life, including her childhood and her rise as a solo artist. She cited late Latin music icon Selena as one of her major influences and the now friendship she has with Selena’s sister Suzette Quintanilla.

“She’s just unbelievable, she’s a friend to me and a mentor and I go to her for advice,” said Ally Brooke. “She is just an incredible human being, so smart, so strong, so giving, so passionate, and so caring. I cannot believe I am friends with her. She inspired me, her sister and her whole family. Everyday I’m so grateful. It’s one of the biggest honors of my life.”

Ally Brooke stated she wants to release an album in the future but is taking her time, and that it could be released later this year.

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