Read Rosalía's explanation from her first of five nights at Mexico City's Palacio de los Deportes, where she welcomed Kenia Os into her "confessional."
Rosalía performs on Madison Square Garden in New York City on June 16, 2026.
Rich Fury
Rosalía revealed on Saturday (Aug. 22) that the invective against the “emotional terrorist” referenced in her hit heartbreak anthem “La Perla” is primarily inspired by legendary ranchera singer Paquita la del Barrio and her iconic song “Rata de Dos Patas.” The Spanish superstar made the statement during the first of her five nights at the Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City, part of her LUX tour.
Rosalía told the audience how honored she felt to be performing in Mexico — “a land with history, with enormous tradition and culture,” she said — and mentioned the similarities she finds between traditional Mexican music and flamenco. It was then that she admitted the ranchera genre inspired her hit “La Perla,” recorded as a duet with the singer from the Mexican-American trio Yahritza y Su Esencia, and included in her celebrated 2025 album that gives the tour its name.
