The blonde, beautiful singer, Carolina "La O", while on a promotional tour to several cities in Colombia, was kind enough to grant a brief interview minutes before she boarded her flight.
Carolina was born in Manizales, the same city where the only Colombian Miss Universe was born, Luz Marina Zuluaga. Her latest work is titled "El último beso" ("The Last Kiss"). "La O" had begun with the band Alquimia. At the Ernesto Cortizos airport, she met us ... started to dance ... and told us the following.
Americasalsa.com: Carolina, tell us about the tribute they gave Franky Ruiz?
Carolina "La O": That was a wonderful opportunity, it had a list of stars: Celia, Pacheco, Tito Nieves, and the only Colombian was me. The show was perforemed at Madison Square Garden. Franky, I feel was the one who started the romantic salsa movement, leaving behind a bit "salsa gorda". The tribute was a great experience for me, surrounded so many stars, but who also push you to perform.
So why are you in Barranquilla?
I am promoting my latest album "Carolina Encuentro Con Los Gemelos". The single is called "El último beso", there are ten salsa classics: "Azúcar negra", "Llegó el sabor ", "Changó changó", "Homenaje a Hector Lavoe", "Brindis navideño", "Cucala", all of the classics that made number one. I consider it an album that is targeted to all segments, Colombia, Panama, Venezuela, Miami.
What influence do you admire in Salsa?
My heart is too divided. It is difficult for me to define it, but for me, Celia was and will be the goddess, the greatest of all female performers, as well as male performers (laughs). I believe that having been able to excel where men dominate and having become a legend is remarkable. And my heart is also with Marc Anthony. I admire him a lot, I can identify myself with his background, coming from a poor family and never putting limits on one's dreams.
And your experience with Alquimia?
Yes, that's where I started, performing most of Celia Cruz's hits. I had the great opportunity and responsibility to achieve that goal. At that time, I had no experience, Alquimia was the grade school of my career, as a solo artist of tropical music.
Do you have experience with ballads? They say that salseros don't do well with it.
I do ballads very well, who said we don't! I believe that when you leave one genre and become a performer of another, things change. I have been part of the relatively new movement where you come out with a salsa record, for instance, and the anticipated hit comes with a ballad version and another pop version. I like that because this way I can reach many more people who may otherwise be limited by the genre. So it's better, they can listen to me on different stations and genres.
What city in Colombia are you from?
From Manizales.
And how did you get the nickname Carolina "La O" ("The O")?
Honestly, my college classmates named me that since there were five Carolinas in our class. So, since my last name is Ovalle When they called us by your first name, we would all turn around, but when they would say "La O" ("The O"), I knew they were talking to me. Also, because of the great salero Pete Conde Rodriguez' song.
Are you familiar with AmericaSalsa.com?
Yes, of course. Some time ago I was interviewed by one of your colleagues in Mexico. I'm surprised that this institution has its origins in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and is not from Puerto Rico, Cuba or Colombia. I congratulate you all because you are one of the few that are dedicated to promoting Salsa.
Carolina, thanks for your time.
Thanks to all of AmericaSalsa's readers, and particularly those of Mexico and Italy.
 May 2009
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