Karol G Surprises Mexico City Fans With Thalía as Special Guest: ‘The First Person I Wanted to Be’

Karol G gave her fans a huge surprise on Friday (Nov. 13) during the first of her three nights at the Estadio GNP Seguros in Mexico City, inviting Thalia to join her on stage for a special performance. The appearance of 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 was shown of a young Karol G saying that she wanted to be like her. The Mexican superstar then took to the stage wearing a replica of her iconic guitar-shaped bustier from her “Amor a la Mexicana” era — one of the most famous outfits in Latin pop culture. The new version of the outfit was decorated by Thalia herself, 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, which Thalia reimagined in 2002.

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

During her first of three nights in Mexico City, Karol G emphasized how meaningful Thalia’s presence was, especially since it marked the first time in 10 years that the Mexican icon had stepped onto a stage in the capital city.

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

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

By the time Thalia made her appearance on Friday, the crowd was already electrified, especially after Karol G performed her hit “Ese Hombre Es Malo” with her all-female mariachi band. Earlier, she had also donned 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 came with the song “¿Con Quién Andará?,” a track from No Me Arrepiento de Sentir Tanto, which she has described as her favorite on the album. The song was performed live for the first time during her Nov. 4th celebration party streamed on TikTok.

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