IN CONVERSATION WITH TINI

interview by JANA LETONJA

Argentine singer, songwriter and actress Tini closed out 2024 with her album ‘Un mechón de pelo’ as one of the most acclaimed albums by Rolling Stone Latin America. She will soon return in a Disney+ series ‘Quebranto’, premiering in 2025, and will be hosting her own festival in Argentina later this year.

dress JEAN PAUL GAULTIER
shoes MAISON ERNEST

Tini, you’ve achieved so much in the music industry. How does it feel to be recognized as one of the leading figures in Latin pop?

Being Argentinian and having the opportunity to travel and tour around the world, even though sometimes that means being away from home, is emotional and exciting. It's beautiful to see Latin culture grow more and more every day, and being a part of this movement makes me very happy. I am very grateful that I can do what I love and feel that, with the support of many people, I can envelop myself in something I love so much and see my growth as an artist and as a person. It feels great, and I'm truly blessed and grateful.

Your latest single ‘el cielo’ is all about embracing new beginnings. What inspired you to write a song with such an empowering message?

I believe that music is about that, it's about capturing internal emotions and feeling. More than anything, I believe in my last album as a reflection of my growth in the industry since I was young, going through different emotions and experiences. If there is anything that is very clear to me, it’s that I feel free in the things I do and say. Free to be myself when I speak, when I write, and when I create. It brings me so much joy to have felt this freedom when expressing my emotions through music. At the end of the day, it’s the best feeling because you find yourself surrounded by so many people who are probably going through something similar and connect with the lyrics of a song. When a song or album comes out and you see so many people relate to it, it’s a special feeling. Being on stage and seeing that people feel the song because it was with them through a hard time in their life, that is so meaningful. My last album has taught me so much on a personal level, to always embrace freedom in all aspects of life, and of course, in my music too.

You’ve worked with some of the biggest names in the industry like Coldplay, Anitta, Maria and Becerra. How have these collaborations shaped your artistic journey?

The reality is that I have accomplished many dreams of knowing and working with many artists that I grew up with and admired, some whom I never in my life imagined I would have the opportunity to share music with. Getting to know these people and learning from them feels like living in a dream because even if I wished or imagined it, I saw the possibility as a distant chance. But I think the most rewarding thing I have taken from working with these artists is how much I have learned from them, from the people behind the art. I learn so much every time I write a song with someone because it goes beyond the music. Music takes us to a deeper level of mutual understanding, sharing, and feeling identified with each other. Developing a sincere relationship with them, I believe, is something very beautiful about music.

dress JEAN PAUL GAULTIER
shoes MAISON ERNEST

Your album ‘Un mechón de pelo’ received high praise from Rolling Stone Latin America. What was the creative process behind this album and what were you hoping to convey to your fans through it?

The truth is, ‘Un Mechón de Pelo’ came from a deeply personal and emotional experience I lived through. After being exposed for so long, I felt that the most genuine thing I could do, the thing that would help me heal, was to explore themes of mental health and personal struggles, to be true to myself, and to put those feelings into words and, in some way, confront them through music. At the end of the day, I believe the music and this album were what truly helped me heal. Being honest with myself and recognizing the importance of honesty with the people who listen and follow me on this journey, I knew that the best thing I could do in that moment was tell the truth, to express exactly how I felt. I have received so much love and support from my fans, and even now, people on the street or my fans will tell me how these songs, born from my pain, resonated with them and helped them navigate their own. In the end, we all need to transition out of pain. Seeing how this album has helped others through personal and emotional struggles is incredibly rewarding.

Magazines like Rolling Stone and other forms of media that I have admired, and where some of my favorite artists have appeared, have featured my music. Seeing how these forms of media have accompanied my most personal project through my music is something I am very grateful for. It feels good for my soul. Seeing these magazines with so much trajectory and understanding, feeling that support, doesn’t go unnoticed.

You’re returning to the world of acting with Disney+ series ‘Quebranto’. What can you tell us about your role in this series and how it compares to your previous acting projects?

I am very excited to see things from the series, because this character came to me during a personal period of my life, during a lot of introspection and healing. I believe I couldn’t have done it on such a large scale if I hadn’t overcome many personal obstacles. I feel that at one point, the character came to help and heal me. It was an interpretation of a sad story, a story where every character crosses through life to learn from the pain and find themselves in a more real version of themselves. Compared to the last project I worked on, which was ‘Violetta’, a show for younger audiences, this project touches on more adult themes and comes from a different life perspective. It was a big challenge for me compared to what I did years ago. 

dress JEAN PAUL GAULTIER

Acting and singing are two very different creative outlets. How do you balance these two sides of your artistry?

Singing and acting are something very personal, it's my own project that shows who I am. When it comes to writing my songs and projecting different emotions and sensations through my videos, every detail forms a part of myself. I learn more about myself through music, and acting is so different. The two are artistic facets for me, but there is nothing more wonderful and fulfilling than putting yourself in the shoes of another person who isn’t you and being able to create a part of that. It is something very difficult, but a great feeling to interpret and bring a character to life. Understanding what that person has gone through and felt, and even where you may find intersections with your own experiences, but without being you, is incredible. I feel both have helped me learn and grow in many aspects of my life. Hopefully, I can continue to combine these two art forms because I feel like they feed the soul.

As a woman in the music industry, you’ve certainly broken barriers. What advice would you give to young artists or women aspiring to pursue careers in music and entertainment?

I believe that every time I do something in life, speaking from my perspective in the industry I chose and was chosen for, surrounding yourself with authentic, genuine people is essential. There is nothing I value more than surrounding yourself with people who love you, who know your heart, who you can trust, who are honest with you, who support you in your best and worst moments. No matter how much you travel, no matter how chaotic or difficult your life can be, never losing the value of those people who are the most real is important. It’s something I have always kept close, my friends, my family, people who were with me throughout my journey as an artist but, above all, as a person. That is advice I always give myself. Also, believing in yourself, dreaming big, and working hard, better understanding yourself and giving yourself the capacity to learn and be open to constant changes and storms that come. Understanding that all of that will help you grow and teach you new lessons. Trusting your intuition, your heart, and protecting your peace, protecting your person, are things I always make sure to remember.

left
dress STEPHANE ROLLAND

right
dress BALMAIN
accessories INCARNEM and MELE+MARIE
tights STYLIST'S OWN
shoes MAISON ERNEST

You’ve announced that you’ll be hosting your own festival in Argentina this year. What can we expect from this event, and how important is it to you to create a platform for Latin artists?

After my album ‘Un Mechón de Pelo’, a project that has become one of the most important projects of my life is this festival. It is so exciting for me to showcase my story, all of the things that have happened to me, and also understand that there are so many people who have known me since I was so young. This festival will touch on many moments of my life, and preparing for it with so much anticipation, I never thought I would be able to do it. I am having three stages in the same place that will tell a distinct story with so many activities during the day for people to enjoy and remember their own childhood, things they went through through my music. This is the biggest and most ambitious project I have ever had, and having people around me who believe in this vision and project is very motivational for me. I can’t wait to share more about this festival.

Looking ahead, what can your fans expect from you in 2025, both in music and acting? Any exciting projects or collaborations we should look out for?

At the end of the day, the future is not certain, and that’s also what’s so beautiful about life. I am very dedicated to developing this album with all the love and care I have put into these songs I have been working on for almost three years. I think that acting has helped me connect with things that have made me very happy and helped me grow as a woman. I am focused on these projects, and surely there will always be a surprise I can share. I want to continue getting more and more into fashion as well. This year, I am really dedicated to this acting project that will be released after working on it for so long, and to my music. There are some collaborations coming that make me very happy. The more I meet artists, the more I grow as an artist. And of course, there will be some great surprises this year. Also, the festival has 100 % of my focus, and if God allows, the most beautiful thing is that after this festival, if all goes well, I can tour again, taking this show wherever we can to share with everyone. That will make me very happy. And of course, I would start it all here in my home of Argentina.

dress JEAN PAUL GAULTIER
shoes MAISON ERNEST

TEAM CREDITS:

talent TINI
photography and production ALEJANDRA LOAIZA
styling ALIYAH SEMILLANO, DAV MARTENS
makeup SERGIO ANTÓN
hair ZACARIAS GUEDES
production assistant JENNY ROJAS
photography assistant FRANCISCO NICOLAS RODRIGUEZ
styling assistant MISZA LAMOVSKY and CANNELLE GODRAN
editing ALINA EFIMOVA
editor TIMI LETONJA
interview JANA LETONJA
cover design ARTHUR ROELOFFZEN