The most awaited telenovela of the century is finally about to begin, and with it, the grand return of the greatest figure in Latin Entertainment and the entire world, Thalía

By: Robyn Barnette

MEXICO, D.F.—Brace yourself. It's finally here.

The greatest event in the history of Latin Entertainment is about to take place. The most awaited telenovela of the century is finally about to begin its broadcast throughout the world. It begins in Mexico on "El Canal de las Estrellas," Televisa Canal 2. On March 1, 1999 at 21:00 hours (9:00 PM CST), Mexico, Latin America, Latin Entertainment, and the entire world are about to be changed forever.

What is this greatest event? One simple word: "Rosalinda."

"Rosalinda," a telenovela filled with love, passion, and revenge; a telenovela that is expected to be a worldwide smash. A superior production, a top-quality cast, a drama like no other. It is the most awaited telenovela of the century for one reason and one reason only: The grand return of the greatest figure in Latin entertainment and in the world, the queen of Latin music, the greatest star of the telenovelas, Thalía.

Because of the tremendous impact this telenovela will have, Televisa has placed a lot of muscle in promoting it throughout Mexico. This promotion can be explained in the recent ads for the telenovela on Canal 2, where they are heralding "Rosalinda" as the "Titanic" of all telenovelas.

Salvador Mejía Alejandre, the producer of "Rosalinda," has worked very hard to lure Thalía back into the telenovelas. He faces a new challenge with this telenovela, which is expected to demolish the ratings of any telenovela ever produced by Televisa in their history of the telenovelas, including Mejía's previous production, the most successful telenovela ever made, "La Usurpadora" (Deceptive Intruder).

"After three years, Thalía is returning to television, as one of the most relevant stars of Televisa," Mejía stated.

Not just one the most relevant stars of Televisa, THE most relevant star of Televisa, and of the world. It is this fact that has propelled a record 110 countries to purchase the broadcast rights to "Rosalinda" (with only Televisa's awaited animated project "Serafín" predicted to break that record in September). Among the 110 countries include the United States, Colombia, Venezuela, China, France, Spain, Canada, and the Phillipines. Puerto Rico is also listed as one of the 110 countries, and in the middle of March they will be the second country to broadcast "Rosalinda." Meanwhile, Univision, the largest Spanish television network in the United States, has already set January 3, 2000 as the date for the Gran Estreno of "Rosalinda."

"I will present to the audience a telenovela filled with romanticism, because it is what they enjoy," added Mejía. "So that a novela performs well, there is a combination among drama, reality, and fantasy. 'Rosalinda' has all these ingredients."

"We have also looked for the tendency of Hollywood, where the public has leaned for everything romantic, with the result of movies such as 'Romeo and Juliet' and 'Titanic,'" Mejía added. "Not only did we go to the Mexican public, but also abroad, a reason for which we have given a more international treatment to the story."

Mejía says that "Rosalinda" will not have any part of the "María Trilogy" and expects that Thalía's performance in this telenovela will break her out of the María stereotype. The only thing that could hamper its success, though, is that like the "María Trilogy" the plot is the same: The young girl lives in a poor area and goes through her troubles until she grows up to become a rich and refined woman. Mejía, however, guarantees that the television audience will see a new Thalía, one much different than what they were accustomed to when she was the dirty girl from the beach in "Marimar" and the street urchin in "María la del Barrio" (Maria from the Neighborhood).

"Rosalinda" was originally scheduled to go on the air on Televisa Canal 2 on February 22. However, Mejía was not satisfied with the quality of twenty episodes from the novela, which were shot in the lush fields and scenes of Veracruz. He, his production team, and the cast, had to spend a week refilming all twenty episodes. Thus, the premiere date of the novela was delayed until the first of March.

"Rosalinda" is approximately 100 1-hour episodes in length, but because of the novela's impending popularity, it will be extended to approximately 150. It is a remake of a telenovela from Venezuela titled "Primavera." Thalía and Fernando Carrillo are the main protagonists to "Rosalinda" and also sing "Ay Amor," the theme song to the telenovela. Ironically, Carrillo was one of the main protagonists to "Primavera."

"Fernando is an international figure, he has an important market," commented Mejía about Carrillo. "The handsome young man is where he projects our public."

In addition to Thalía and Fernando Carrillo, there are other cast members that comprise the novela's "Elenco de Lujo": Nora Salinas, Azela Robinson, Libertad Lamarque, Raúl Padilla "Choforo," Alma Delfina, Alpha Acosta, Elvira Monsell, Renata Flores, Manuel Saval, Miguel Angel Rodriguez, Enrique Lizalde, Adriana Fonseca, Roberto Da Silva, Paty Diaz, Anastasia, Alejandro Avila, Victor Noriega, and in her grand return to Televisa after a prolonged absence, "La Novia de México" Angélica María.

"For me, to work with Angélica María, you don't know what a dream that is," stated Thalía. "I have always been her number one fan. I love her as actress, as a person, and the fact to share this story with her is like a dream, because she is a great actress loved by the entire public."

Also part of the "Elenco de Lujo" are, according to Thalía, "Lupita Ferrer, who has an international standard; people such as Ninón Sevilla, René Muñoz, everyone that I had known from many years ago."

Rocío Banquells was rumored to be part of the cast to "Rosalinda," but according to Mejía, "it was not possible. The enterprise (TV Azteca) would not allow it. With Lupita Ferrer it was different because she did not come through TV Azteca, but through Radio Caracas. Angélica María was one of the great profits, and she will do her character with such tenderness."

Other actors and actresses that are part of the cast or planning to participate in "Rosalinda" include Hector Soberón, Guillermo Capetillo, and Leticia Perdigón.

The original story to "Rosalinda" is by Delia Fiallo, with the adaptation done by Carlos Romero. Beatriz Sheridan is in charge of scene direction.

"Rosalinda" tells the story of a young girl from the lower class and her pursuit of finding love and happiness. Her greatest aspiration in life is to become a famous singer. She goes to school and sells flowers in order to make money to pay for her education. One day, she goes to a restaurant and meets a rich young man, Francisco José Altamirano (Fernando Carrillo), who is a rich lawyer and a pianist that composes love songs. Rosalinda (Thalía) instantly falls in love with Francisco José and reveals to him her dream of becoming a singer. Soon they get married, but through destiny they are forced to separate. Rosalinda will have two important people in her life: Her true mother, and the mother that cared for her since she was a little girl.

In the novela's first chapter, Rosalinda appears as a beautiful girl. However, she is suffering because she is believed to be an orphan. She doesn't know that her mother Soledad (Angélica María) is serving a prison sentence of 20 years for the murder Francisco José's father, a crime that she didn't commit.

During time, Rosalinda's childhood evolves around her happiness with her sister, who admires her for beauty and intelligence. However, there is a villain that hates her and will interfere in her pursuit of her love and happiness.

Meanwhile, the case against Soledad will reopen, since there was a possibility she was falsely accused of the murder of Francisco José's father.

"Rosalinda" will most certainly break ratings records, but it may also break another type of record. More than 2,500 flowers have been cultivated and farmed for use in this novela, the most flowers ever used for a Televisa production.

Aside from the flowers that Thalía will adorn in "Rosalinda," there had been some debate as to whether or not this would be Thalía's final telenovela. About this, she commented: "Do you know how many people have said that to me? My acquaintances, and many people on the set have said that this will be the final telenovela that I will do here. They are certain of that."

"Look, with having the affection from the public and their support, I could continue doing everything," Thalía explained. "Through my side, yes, I want to continue doing novelas, at least the other two that I need from my contract. Really, this is another audience. Television is free, they decide if they allow you to enter their house or close the door changing the channel. In the movie theater, you have to pay for tickets, buy popcorn, and then, the television public is respectable."

Thalía recognizes that throughout her career, fame has brought her solitude.

"When you begin your career, you want to go out on television, sing in all languages, dance and act, but in the measurement that happens the time you are taking it calmly," explained Thalía. "When you are on the stage you feel the affection of the people, but when you arrive in the hotel room and you turn on the television, you look around and realize that you're alone. It's the price that is necessary to pay."

Thalía trusts that she continues believing in the people, her fans, and their kindness, and that if she is now at the height of her career it is not a consent like many people affirm.

"Nothing has been free, I started very young," Thalía said. "I have dedicated my life to my career, the place that I occupy, modesty aside of course. I deserve it and I have also earned the consent of my company and my public."

Thalía does not know where destiny will take her after "Rosalinda." If she decides that "Rosalinda" will be her final telenovela, she would continue being the same Thalía that her audience has always known her as. The only difference is that she would devote more time to her personal life and time that she has missed because of her hectic work schedule.

"I would devote myself to my family; on the other hand, I would not leave my public," assured Thalía. "I would continue working, or producing, or directing."

The greatest figure in Latin entertainment and in the world, Thalía, has returned to the telenovelas. On March 1, 1999, prepare for the most awaited telenovela of the century, "Rosalinda."