This conversation was originally recorded before we introduced video. We’re now bringing these earlier episodes onto our new Substack platform.
Jenna welcomed Grand Prairie native Monica Saldivar on the podcast back in 2021, just as she was nominated for Best New Female Artist at the Tejano Awards. She talks about her journey from a shy choir kid at Jackson Middle School, to being accepted at the prestigious Booker T Washington Performing Arts High School, to becoming an award-winning Tejano artist.
She opens up about how mentors and family helped her find her voice, why she resisted following the crowd of Selena impersonations, and how the pandemic nearly derailed her momentum just as she released her album. Instead of giving up, Monica leaned into livestreams and social media, building her fan base and keeping her dream alive. Her persistence paid off with nominations for Best New Female Vocalist, Best New Group, and Video of the Year — the culmination of more than a decade of hard work, culture, and heart.
Visit Monica’s LinkTree, where you can find links to her music and follow her on socials.
