Gala Montes Embraces Role of Malinche, Finds Kinship with Historical Figure

Mexican singer and actress Gala Montes feels a profound kinship with the historical figure Malinche, stating she has much in common with the indigenous woman who played a pivotal role in the Spanish conquest of Mexico. Montes believes the opportunity to portray Malinche in the musical of the same name arrived at a moment when she can fully comprehend and embody the character.

"I feel very Malinche, because I am Mexican and sometimes I feel like I am not treated as if I am from here, as if I haven't been working for 20 years," Montes shared. She expressed significant gratitude towards Spanish producer Nacho Cano, formerly of the band Mecano. "Precisely a Spaniard did not turn his back on me," she said, referencing how Cano opened doors for her after she felt rejected by her home country's industry.

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I feel very Malinche, because I am Mexican and sometimes I feel like I am not treated as if I am from here, as if I haven't been working for 20 years; that is why I am very grateful to Nacho Cano, because since I came to sing 'Mujer contra mujer' here (October 2025), he opened the doors for me, and how curious, precisely a Spaniard did not turn his back on me.

Montes explained that she did not need to audition for Cano; he recognized her stage presence and strength. "When Mexico turned its back on me, because I was the most criticized and everyone hated me, Nacho arrived and told me, 'I like you.' I am super grateful to him because he took me at a time when I didn't know where to go, and he told me, 'You can do it,' because for a long time they made me believe that I couldn't be here," she recalled, referencing her recent participation in "La casa de los famosos México."

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When Mexico gave me the back, because I was the most criticized and everyone hated me, Nacho arrived and told me: 'I like you'. I am super grateful to him because he took me at a moment where I didn't know where to go and he told me: 'you can do it', because for a long time they made me believe that I could not be here.

While Montes previously played Malinche's mother in the musical earlier this year, she is set to take on the lead role on September 22. During a press rehearsal, she showcased her vocal prowess, stage presence, and the power needed to portray a woman who refused to remain silent or seek permission. "Malinche was a woman who stood up for herself, who spoke when she had to speak, and that is what we have to learn from her, because I think we are very afraid of women who spoke out. They always say, 'She's on her period,' 'She's crazy'... showing ignorance, and now this story comes loaded with a lot of strength and feminine fury."

This collaboration with Cano has also led to other projects, including a song on his upcoming album "Hija de nadie" and a performance in the show "Ibiza Paradise" in Madrid.

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Malinche was a woman who stood up for herself, who spoke when she had to speak, and that is what we have to learn from her, because I think we are very afraid of women who spoke out. They always say, 'She's on her period,' 'She's crazy'... showing ignorance, and now this story comes loaded with a lot of strength and feminine fury.