Azúcar Moreno, the iconic Spanish pop and flamenco duo, made headlines once again during their recent appearance on the popular talk show, El Hormiguero. Sisters Toñi and Encarna Salazar joined host Pablo Motos to promote their latest single, "Ya no queda nada," and share humorous anecdotes from their decades-long career.
Opening their segment, the sisters were full of energy, singing their new song and dancing, which even prompted Motos to join them onscreen. "The song is really good, the video is superb," declared Toñi Salazar, expressing her confidence as they aim to recapture the success of past hits like "Bandido," which they performed at the Eurovision Song Contest back in 1990.
During the lively discussion, Encarna shared, "We’re going back to our origins, to what we call 'gitaneo'—infusing our current work with traditional flamenco flair." The duo reminisced about their legacy and new direction, with Motos humorously attempting to decipher some of the more challenging words from their lyrics, reflecting the cultural richness of their music.
Yet, humor wasn’t the only theme of the night. The sisters candidly opened up about their longstanding fear of elevators, rooted deeply due to a past trauma they experienced years ago. "We are traumatized," Toñi said, recounting their unsettling encounter with half of a rugby team trapped with them in an elevator during their time in Argentina. "When the elevator halted, we started screaming." She recounted how the experience left them rattled, leading to a strong aversion to using elevators altogether.
Elaborate humor ensued as Motos gently teased them about their reluctance. Encarna lightheartedly shrugged off Motos about their discovery for choosing lower floors during hotel stays, proudly stating, "It’s because we have to climb the stairs, you know? Why do you think we have these bodies?”
This humorous exchange transitioned smoothly to discussing more personal subject matter when Motos queried the sisters about their romantic preferences. "For me, he has to be good people… and good-looking, let’s not kid ourselves," Toñi quipped, illustrating her candidness about relationships. Encarna chimed in, noting their vastly different tastes which made for comical confessions, remarking on her preference for bohemian types, adding "but they need to have some sanity. There’s the balance.”
The vibrant conversation highlighted the dynamics of their relationship, not only as sisters but as long-time creative partners who navigate life’s ups and downs together. Further light banter about love led to shared laughter, as both acknowledged their unique tastes and types yet still embraced the unpredictability of attraction.
Beyond their experiences and music, the sisters emphasized their struggle as independent artists. With the industry drastically changing, both Toñi and Encarna expressed the importance of carving out their path without the strong backing of major labels they once relied on.
“Before, it was easier with the big labels,” Encarna said. “Now we have to do everything ourselves, and we are okay with it. This is our passion, our dream.” Toñi echoed her sister’s sentiment, proudly asserting, “We’re fighters, and we’ll never give up on music.”
Their time on El Hormiguero was twofold: celebrating new beginnings with their music and reliving past experiences with humor and resilience. For Azúcar Moreno, every concert is not just another job; it’s part of proving to themselves and their fans they can rise and shine, regardless of the challenges faced along the way. Whether it's their pursuit of fresh rhythms or overcoming fears, the sisters continue to emerge as music icons.