Camilla Cabello has portrayed a variety of characters throughout her career. As part of the X Factor-created girl band Fifth Harmony, she captured the show’s judges as a relatable, quintessential pop star—so compellingly that after four years, she decided to pursue a solo path in 2016. In her early tracks such as “Havana” and “Señorita,” the singer from Cuba presented a modern-day Carmen Miranda fantasy seemingly aimed at English-speaking audiences.
Cabello delved more deeply into her background with her 2022 album, Familia. The sincere ballads, reflecting an immigrant daughter’s dedication, were not solely about her personal identity but also her broader connection to Latino culture. In songs like “Lola,” she mused about an alternate reality where her parents had never left Cuba and Mexico for grander dreams.
In preparation for her upcoming album, C, XOXO, Cabello ended her long-term romance with Shawn Mendes and left Los Angeles for the city of her upbringing: Miami. She enlisted renowned producers El Guincho and Jasper Harris to craft a more daring sound for her, influenced by the hip-hop beats of her youth. By blending her music with Jersey club (“I Luv It” featuring Playboi Carti), reggaeton (“Dream Girls”), and Afrobeat (“He Knows” featuring Lil Nas X), Cabello released an innovative album reflecting the diverse nature of the Magic City.