MENDEZ Lucia (Lucia Mendez)

Lucia Mendez - is one of the most colorful figures of the Mexican screen and stage.
. This actress, who is always looking for something new to its audience ...
. Woman, always pushing forward and not Folded nothing ...
. Woman, woven of charm, beauty, sensuality, temptation:
. This is Lucia.

. The unique star in the full sense of the word
. Great actress.

Lucцґa Leticia Mц?ndez Pц?rez (Lucia Mendez) was born on Jan. 26 in Leon Mexican state of Guanajuato. She is the eldest daughter in the family of chemical engineer Antonio Mendez and Velasco Dona Marta Ofelia Perez Mendez. Besides Lucia Don Antonio and Dona March raised two sons, Carlos Antonio and Jorge Abraham, and daughter Martha Minevru. It tells the Dona Marta Lucцґa childhood was hyper-active and very creative child. Therefore the age of 8 years old girl was learning in the Academy of Fine Arts - an educational institution, was released from its walls a whole galaxy of eminent persons of Mexican Art. A few months after admission to the Academy Lucцґa delivers the first in his life creative examination - work in the theatrical play "Under the umbrella. From 9 years old, she begins to keep a child's morning radio program "Early Riser".

But Don Antonio dreaming of another career for her daughter, so Lusiyu sent to Pennsylvania to study English philology. From the U.S., she returned with a diploma of teacher of English and a strong desire to continue performing career. With full support for the mother Lucia is taking its first steps in the adult world of show business.
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. New offer to play on the theatrical stage Mendes gets in 1972, immediately after becoming the winner of the contest "The most beautiful person of the year", announced respectable Mexican edition of the Herald
. For work in the play "Nothing about sex, because we are innocent" Lucia Mendez receives a number of theatrical critics awards for best actress, and as the opening of the year ". In the same 1972 Lucia first appeared in films in a pair with a popular Mexican actor Valentin Trujillo. But the real success it brings a second Movie parts in the movie of the great Mexican comedian Kantinflasa "The Minister and I". Simultaneously with these works Lucia appears in small roles on television and in advertising Nescafe.

"The first telenovela, in which I withdrew, was" The Italian girl is going to marry, where I come out from behind a tree. Then there were the "Letters" without address ": but only 10 series, and, finally," Earth ", where Ernesto Alonso believed in me and gave me a role in the 100 series," - says Lucцґa Mц?ndez.

Along with the shooting in movies and telenovelas Lucцґa a TV night show "Maestra Mendes, which is attended by Mexican actors of the first magnitude. Shaw is a huge success as the audience and critics.

In 1975, Lucцґa again removed, along with Valentin Trujillo in the movie "Stranger", where they sing a duet song in the style of "ranchers" called "New Love". Hearing the manner of performance Lucia, one of the most talented Mexican composer Juan Gabriel wrote for her song "I'm always thinking about you". The decision to start singing career was given Lucia is not easy: at a certain pressure on the part of Dona Marta and Juan Gabriel, urging Lusiyu that the tessitura of her voice perfectly matches the songs written in folk style. When Lucia finally performed ranchers, written by Juan Gabriel, it became clear that the Mexican stage lit up a new star.

In the six years of work in film and three-year performance of folk music (1972-1978 gg) Lucia Mendez has firmly taken the position of one of the most talented and successful actresses of the new generation of Mexican art. In order to be held as a wholly owned star, she lacked only one thing - the success of the telenovela, which would have made her a popular name among the broad masses of viewers. And that success came to her with the title role in TV series "Vivian", Lucia Mendez has brought fame not only in Mexico but also in other countries in Latin America.

At the turn of 70-80 years. Lucцґa appears before the public in two other works, after which they begin to say about her as an actress on the shattering scheme. This quality is still and remains a major actor in determining the specificity Lucia Mendez. In 1979. Mendez removed from Arturo Ripshteyna in the movie "Illegal", tells the story of Mexican refugee in the U.S. (the prize for best actress the year: "Heraldo", "Aztec Calendar"). And in 1980, Lucцґa Mц?ndez, the first time in the history of Mexican television plays a role of a prostitute in the TV series "Kolorina". Up to this point never demi woman does not become the main heroine of telenovelas.

During the work on "Kolorinoy" Lucia is moving closer to the Spanish composer Camilo Sesto, who wrote the main theme music series. Camillo offers Lucia musical Role change and move from the performance of national music to modern ballads. Cooperation with Camilo Sesto in 180-degree turns to music career Lucia Mendez: for years it becomes a performer of lyrical music.

At the same time, Lucia was withdrawn in a feature film based on the novel Tulio Demichelli "Twisted God through fate," which again won its acclaim as the best actress of the year.

In 1983, another Spanish composer - Honorio Herrera - Lucia has written for hit single "Lovers", and in 1984 Lusiyu declared the best singer in Latin America for a couple with her godfather in music - Juan Gabriel.

The fame and recognition of creative achievements Lucia Mendez has long overcome the limits of the Mexican border. In 1984 Lucia became the first Latin American star, awarded the honor of being represented in the Museum of Wax Figures in Hollywood, and Time magazine calls it "the most prominent Latin American actress". An interesting fact is that until now Lucцґa Mц?ndez and remains the only Latino in this famous museum.

She is often invited to be jury member of various international music competitions and beauty contests. For example, in 1984 it was part of the jury of "Miss Universe", held in Miami, while she continues to work actively as a model for magazines Kosmopoliten, Harper's Bazaar, Vogue, and other Vanidades.

At the end of the year Mendez got an offer to play in a telenovela "Nobody but You". As the musical theme of the telenovela is chosen the song "Stone Heart" from the CD "Only one woman," written and produced by Honorio Herrera. "Stone Heart", 45 weeks, holding the leading position in the Billboard charts, Mendez brings the first nomination for a Grammy. Demonstration of short stories is at the same time in Mexico, the United States, several Latin American countries and Germany. The success of the audience is so great that Time magazine defines this series as the most significant for the Spanish-speaking public event in the world of show business. Rating "Nobody but you" in the U.S. such as tall as a famous "Dynasty" and "Dallas". From Germany comes a proposal to record a few songs in the national style for the local market.

After removed in "Nobody but You" and releasing another "golden" disc in collaboration with Honorio Herrera, Lucia Mendez went to Los Angeles to study acting,.

She is talented, young, rich, beautiful, still full of illusions. It is still free: It is the most enviable bride Latin America. In an interview with those years Lucia said she was very absorbed in his career, so I think that probably did not even get married.

Lucia lives in Beverly Hills, studying hard: She offers scripts in Hollywood, however: "A lot of erotica. Of course, I have nothing against beautiful body on the screen, but I wanted to do something more historically significant than just throw off clothes before the camera ".

It is called perfektsionistkoy, and perhaps precisely because of this quality Mendes career in Hollywood did not take place. Mexico came interesting proposals to act in films, telenovelas. Staying in Los Angeles, Lucia lost her job at home. In the end, Mendes has signed a contract for filming Magic. Part II "in a pair with Ernesto Alonso, as well as the main role in the television series" Strange return of Diana Salazar ". That's when Hollywood sent her the script, which she waited, living for months in Los Angeles. This was the first trap in the still fairly smooth career Lucia Mendez. In desperation, not knowing what to do, Mendes leaving home in Leon, where he is reconciled to the idea that it lacked a little patience. But it does not break contracts for more lucrative offers. And this is another inherent quality of Lucia Mendez - true to his word. Quality, which has repeatedly interfered with her in her life, but which speaks so much about her personality.

Perhaps, just as it should have happened in the biography of Lucia. She found herself in Hollywood, but on returning home, she found her "soul mate" - a brilliant producer and director Pedro Torres. Meeting with Pedro makes a big difference in her life. Now it takes major decisions, he is looking for contracts, he cares about the image of Lucia. However, they "open" era of video clips in Mexico, removed the best PSAs. He teaches her direction. Beside him Lucцґa becomes softer and open.

But who will allow them to be so happy and uspeshnymiN "Yellow" the press is actively discussing her plastic surgery to change the shape of the nose and the image created by an actress in the country of return of Diana Salazar ". The heroine of "yellow eyes", dedicated to parapsychology and possessing extrasensory abilities, leads journalists to "brilliant" idea of connection Lucia Mendez with the drug mafia and the sect, "Messengers of Satan". Often remembered and one of the latest musical hits Lucia - "Punish me", of course, along with the works of Freud and the term "sublimation".

Only much later in an interview, she acknowledged how much it hurt all of these articles, as she cried and could not understand why it chose the target of such criticism. What journalist borrowers interview, replied that it was all because of too much popularity, too bright individuality and absolute otherness of the other Latin American stars.

1988 - year of birth only son of Lucia and Pedro. The boy is given a name Pedro Antonio Torres Mendez in honor of his father and grandfather, Don Antonio. Godfather Pedro Antonio becomes a Juan Gabriel. Up until 1990, Mendes did not act in films and on television, not tour. During these two years, she recorded only one album, "Dark Moon". On set footage to the new drive they always see the three of us - Lusiyu, Pedro and little Pedro Antonio.

In 1990, Lucia returned to the home screen of Mexicans in the new telenovela "Draw love", as well as the audience is a high-quality musical show "Cabaret Night". With this program, with support from Coca-Cola Company, where she was a person for a long time, Lucцґa performs sold-out world tour in Mexico, USA, South America, Israel, Lebanon.

By the time of arrival of Lucia in Lebanon in this country has just ended the war. On the road, a few minutes to approach the car with Lusiey, a bomb exploded by terrorists. Never before Lucia was not so bad, but she never for a moment cut his speech and still remembers the concert as the most wonderful reception from the fact that she was given the audience. Lebanon Mendes gets the title of "Messenger of Peace".

In 1992, Lucцґa recording a new album, "Kiss me", which later will be a musical based on one of the most successful commercial projects Lucia - series "El Mariel". "El Mariel" was also one of the most serious challenges in her life. To participate in this story of the company Telemundo insisted Pedro. Lucia is the exclusive Televisa actress, turned to the lady owner of the company Askaraga to allow withdraw abroad. Permission was granted, but Askaraga set two conditions: "It must be good stuff, Lucia, tk. you should worry about his career, and: do not let them sell the story of the company Yunivison, tk. I want to buy Telemundo ".

Six months. The success of "El Mariel" in the south of the U.S. except hysteria is not known: all women, young and old, as well as transvestites, wearing the characteristic red dress and style your hair in a pony.
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. Studio not filmed yet, and half of the material, when Lucia Askaraga phoned and said that instead he bought Telemundo Yunivison
. Before Mendez was supplied new condition: "You have to give up work in Marielene and returned to Mexico, or we will not give you screen". "But master, - said Lucia, - I can not leave the telenovela, which is not completed. I can not bring colleagues and spectators ". "Ok!" You made your choice "- she received in response.

Since then, Lucia Mendez hit the "black" lists of Televisa. This meant a complete information vacuum in Mexico, where Televisa owned 90% of all media. It also meant that she had "robbed" of about 50% of the entire Latin American market. Songs Lucia ceased to sound on the radio, her photos have ceased to appear in the newspapers, it did not exist for television, a business card that Mendes was not so long ago. But she still had Pedro, son, Telemundo and boundless love of the public.

After filming in Marielene, received another nomination for a Grammy for the ballad "All finished, Lucцґa begins to re-build their lives away from Mexico.

In that year, she had to postpone yet another blow - divorce with Pedro Torres. The official version - "we stopped loving each other". But relatives know what it is worth

. 1993 in a biography of Lucia is significant to, . that in addition to creative, . She begins to do business - opens its cosmetic line for the production of shampoos, . gel and soap brand LM: it is a single mother, . and should think about the future and welfare of his son,
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Parallel Mendez writes in his own studio in Miami, the album "Forbidden," which Billboard magazine calls the best of all, that Lucia's ever done as a singer. But in Mexico, a different view: the criticism is competing with each other in writing squelcher. The same fate awaited the next disc Lucia - "temptation Senhora" drive, in which she sang all the best bolero great Augustin Lara. What did not write about this album and as soon not prevent its spread in the market. Only four years later, . when the situation in Mexico has changed radically, . universal journalist Mary Carmen Vasquez first dared to say, . that in fact "Senora Temptation" was an amazing album, . and Lucia just brilliant in the new for a Role bolero singer.,
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. Along with recording the album "The temptation Senhora" Lucia was withdrawn in the same name telenovela
. Shooting took place in Puerto Rico with the participation of Telemundo and a local television companies. At this time, Telemundo has already lost its leading position in the Spanish-speaking market in the U.S., surveys involve a huge amount of complexity, and most of the project participants do not like to recall the work in this series. But Lucia "Senora Temptation" was the transition to mature roles of women are so rarely the heroines of soap operas in Latin America. However Lusiey in "Senor Temptation" was filmed, and Pedro Antonio.

Expected in the U.S. rankings "Senora Temptation" has not delivered, but when the story was brought to Mexico and found to have just created 13 new television channel, TelevisiцЁn Azteca the company, she has broken all records of spectator popularity. Mexicans missed Lucia Mendez, they dream about her return to the country. Mendez from this moment is called only as "Lady of Temptation".

TelevisiцЁn Azteca - Mexican television new type, which attempts to break the monopoly of Televisa, begins to negotiate an exclusive contract with this company Lucia. After several meetings with the producer Epigmenio Ibarra, and ending at the Paramount Picture a mini-series "Confetti", Lucia becomes an actress TV Azteca. This gives her an opportunity to return to their homeland, and TV Azteca punch "name" Lucцґa Mц?ndez "world telerynok

. Everything seemed to be taking shape is the best: Lucцґa again may work in Mexico, . thanks to the new government headed by Ernesto Sediyo changing political and economic situation in the country, . democratization processes involve not only the political sphere, . but show-business, . including television,
. With the death Askaragi Televisa sells part of its property, an increasing number of independent press, TV production Aztecs is an increasingly serious competitive products Televisa. Lucia likes the new Mexico, she has actively participated in the League of activists, fighting for women's rights. Press jokingly wrote that Mendez could well become the future President of the country. She was pleased, but she believes that there is still much that can give the country as an actress.

She's waiting for his novels and their film on TV Azteca. Meanwhile the clock is ticking, and no one promised her roles in production does not start. She is forced to reject a proposal to play on Broadway, . because they are about to begin shooting: She postponing a joint project with Anthony Quinn film about the life of Leo Tolstoy: "True to his word", . writes press, . As always, it does not break the contract with the company and waiting, . when the producers end up playing each other main prize - the right to remove it in his telenovela,
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Finally, after several already announced, but never filmed TV series, after two years from the date of the contract owner of TV Azteca Elisa Salinas wins this battle for Lusiyu Mendes and becomes the producer of her new telenovela. Filming is scheduled for August 1998.

In January 1998, Mr.. Lucia, along with producer and virtuoso guitarist Chaminom Correa began selecting material for a new disc bolero, as well as to seek a new role among the 100 sent to her libretto telenovelas.

July 1998 is the date of return to the screens, radio and in the hearts of the audience of the brightest stars of the Mexican past decades - Lucia Mendez.

She came back, returned again to be the first among persistently criticized by other endlessly adored. She returned to show everyone that some people rushed to call her "Twilight Star". She has staked all that, eventually, to get "all or nothing". No wonder it is this name was chosen for the most recent to date disc Lucia.

Disc bolero, written under the leadership of Chamina Correa, was enthusiastically received by critics and won the leadership of the charts and ratings of sales.

The role of Sofia Gutierrez in the telenovela "Thrice Sofia" was another achievement Mendez, presenting a new actress Mexico: more mature, more restrained in the manner of the game, more subtle.

Its success is undeniable. According to opinion polls, every second viewer calls return Lucia Mendez on the screens of the most important event of the year. It is so popular that a decision to make a doll Lucia for the program Peluches ", which so far participated only puppets of politicians. Lucia's rival for the hearts of the audience, whose doll also decided to include in the program "Peluches, becoming a young star Thalia. And this is a sign - a generation Lucia Mendez has long played the role of age, comes a new talented young people, and only Lucia Mendez, of - still - Star б? 1, as well as twenty-five years ago, early in his career.

Journalists struggling to solving the mystery of her success. How to become zvezdoyN And why Lucцґa Mц?ndez became a star?

"Her secret is not only in its beauty, as well as the constant struggle for daily training, in her mind. Features that were with her, there were also others, but unlike the others she was able to use them. Unlike others, it is not stopped in its development, not "froze", enjoying themselves and their successes.

It has always been its own strategy and the concept of creativity, focusing more on the progressive values of the United States and Europe, rather than on the traditional values of Latin America ". That is why in Mexico believe that Lucia Mendez - is an actress, breaking scheme.

She was the first who played the role of a prostitute at the Latin American television, she first raised the issue of AIDS on television, first played the mistress of a married man, lifted her to the rank of a positive heroine. The name Lucia Mendez associated beginning of an era video clips in Mexico.

But very few know of the existence of "Leticia Mendez, a woman unsure of herself and jerking fears and concerns". However, Lucia Mendez, actress, a stronger character and more confident. And although she too is going through, it just does not show.

"I just blocked, so that no one could so easily harm me. Because when hurt Lucia, also hurt and Leticia - just a man, that Leticia, without which there could exist Lucia Mendes.

After all, first of all there is a woman, Leticia, who suffered, because I could not find happiness, could not meet a person who would love and who could understand me. More than fame for me always meant stability and inner peace. Previously, it was a very sad woman who was afraid of solitude and was lonely. Now I have a son.

Leticia is in the family, at his home, to give effect Lucia Mendez. And that, in turn, brings satisfaction Leticia. They are friends and implemented together, hand in hand. Always only together.