Music once again brought hearts together and erased borders at the third semifinal of México Canta. From the U.S. West Coast, nine contestants arrived with hopes of reaching the grand finale, but it was two young women from California who won over the judges: Asália Segura and Norma Rodríguez.
The Los Angeles duo took the stage on Sunday, August 31, guitar in hand, to perform a bilingual song in English and Spanish that reflected their story and their conviction that music can transform lives.
“Together we’ve grown, and music has helped us become better people and promote peace,” they proclaimed after their victory.
Asália and Norma, friends since high school in Los Angeles, will represent the U.S. West Coast in the contest’s grand finale, to be held on October 5 at the iconic Teatro de la Ciudad Esperanza Iris in Mexico City.
The evening featured a distinguished panel of judges: Sinaloa-born producer and songwriter Luciano Luna—creator of hits such as “Te hubieras ido antes” (Julión Álvarez) and “Dime que me quieres” (Banda El Recodo)—joined as a guest judge alongside singer-songwriter América Sierra, actress and singer Regina Orozco, and songwriter Mónica Vélez.
The semifinalists also had the opportunity to record at the legendary Estudio de Intocable, fulfilling a dream that once seemed distant but now brings them closer to the professional music scene.
The México Canta contest continues to bring together talent from both sides of the border every Sunday through September 21, when the full lineup of finalists who will compete in October will be decided.
For many, the experience has already been worthwhile. “Honestly, it feels really nice that the people here in Mexico support us too—I feel like they support us even more than back home, and it’s such an honor to be here,” said an emotional contestant, Tony Carrera.
With every chord, México Canta proves that music knows no borders—and that the stage can be a space to build bridges, heal, and dream.
Related: Two Voices, One Dream: Carolina Imperial and William Zepeda Finalists of ‘México Canta’
Mexican Press Agency is part of ALMA, which is dedicated to news and information about Mexico and Mexicans in the United States and is a fiscally sponsored project of Social Focus, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Redwood City, California.
