Alicia Villarreal

 Martha Alicia Villarreal Esparza, known as Alicia Villarreal, is a Mexican grupero singer born on August 31, 1971, in San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León. Her early exposure to music started with a performance on the local TV show Pipo, eventually leading to her first professional performance at a church fundraiser. In 1995, she joined the Norteño and Tejano band Grupo Límite. Her tenure with the band saw them touring with Grupo Bronco and releasing hits such as "Acariciame" and "Solo Contigo," alongside six albums that included a live recording in Mexico City. After departing from Grupo Límite, Alicia Villarreal made her debut with the chart-topping album Soy Lo Prohibido, followed by the equally successful Cuando el Corazón Se Cruza in 2004. Produced by her husband, Cruz Martínez, Cuando el Corazón Se Cruza brought her several awards, including a Latin Grammy for Best Grupero Album. Following this, her album Orgullo de Mujer came out in 2006, featuring the single "Insensible a Ti," which became the theme for the telenovela Duelo de Pasiones. This album earned her a Grammy nomination. Taking a break to focus on her family, Alicia Villarreal returned to the music scene with La Jefa in 2009, which achieved significant chart success. After an eight-year hiatus, she released La Villarreal in 2017 via Universal Music Mexico. In 2023, the grupero icon returned with the single "Ojo Por Ojo," which peaked at number 38 on the Regional Mexican Airplay chart.