What to remember from Karol G and Thalia’s Mexico City performance

• Surprise appearance: Thalia joined Karol G onstage during the first of three Mexico City concerts.
• Shared songs: The artists performed “Piel Morena,” “Amor a la Mexicana” and “¿A Quién le Importa?” together.
• Capital return: The performance marked Thalia’s first time onstage in Mexico City in 10 years.
• Tour details: Karol G’s next Mexico City shows were scheduled for Nov. 14 and 15 at Estadio GNP Seguros.

Karol G surprised fans on Friday (Nov. 13), during the first of her three nights at Estadio GNP Seguros in Mexico City, by inviting Thalia onstage for a special performance. The appearance by the iconic Mexican pop star, who had not performed in the capital for a decade, sent the audience into a frenzy.

“She was my first idol in life,” an emotional Karol G told the 65,000 concertgoers during her Viajando Por El Mundo Tropitour, according to promoter Ocesa. “The first person I wanted to be, when I dreamed of becoming a singer, was named Thalia, and she’s here with me tonight.”

Before Thalia appeared, a video showed a young Karol G saying she wanted to be like her. The Mexican superstar then took the stage wearing a replica of her iconic guitar-shaped bustier from the “Amor a la Mexicana” era, one of the most famous outfits in Latin pop culture. Thalia herself decorated the updated outfit, as she had teased a few days earlier in an Instagram post without revealing its purpose.

Together, they performed Thalia’s classics “Piel Morena” and “Amor a la Mexicana,” followed by “¿A Quién le Importa?”, a cover of the Spanish group Alaska y Dinarama’s hit that Thalia reimagined in 2002.

The singer and actress, known for telenovelas such as María la del Barrio and Marimar, praised Karol G for her strength and resilience. “She doesn’t care what the world has to say about her,” Thalia said while singing the Alaska y Dinarama anthem, prompting a loud cheer as the audience celebrated the union of two stars from different generations.

During the first of her three nights in Mexico City, Karol G highlighted how meaningful Thalia’s presence was, particularly because it marked the Mexican icon’s first performance on a stage in the capital in 10 years.

“Only you, as a Latina, carry this light everywhere,” Thalia said in response to the Colombian superstar’s praise. Visibly moved, Karol G shed a few tears. “This Mexico adores you! We love and cherish you,” Thalia added.

Karol G, who had won two Latin Grammys the day before (best urban music album for Tropicoqueta and best reggaeton performance for “Verano Rosa” with Feid), has brought several artists back from retirement or long hiatuses to perform alongside her. In 2022, she invited Mexican singer Anahí to perform RBD’s hit “Sálvame” as a duet at Arena Ciudad de México. In 2024, she brought Spanish singer Amaia Montero onstage at Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu Stadium to perform “Rosas” by La Oreja de Van Gogh.

By the time Thalia appeared on Friday, the crowd was already energized, especially after Karol G performed her hit “Ese Hombre Es Malo” with her all-female mariachi band. Earlier, she had also worn a white top and a skirt in the colors of the Mexican flag, green, white and red, along with a dramatic feathered headdress during her performance of “Tropicoqueta.”

Another highlight of the night was “¿Con Quién Andará?”, a track from No Me Arrepiento de Sentir Tanto that Karol G has described as her favorite on the album. The song was performed live for the first time during her Nov. 4 celebration party, which was streamed on TikTok.

Karol G’s next shows at Estadio GNP Seguros in Mexico City were scheduled for Saturday and Sunday (Nov. 14 and 15), as part of the Latin American leg kickoff for her Viajando Por El Mundo Tropitour. Days earlier, she had performed three shows in the northern Mexican city of Monterrey on Nov. 6, 7 and 8 at Estadio BBVA. In both cities, Mexican-American star Becky G opened the shows with songs including “Marathon,” “Patrona,” “Chula” and “2 AM.”