American Dreams, Cuban Soul: My Broadway Icons

¡Hola a todos! It's me, Beatriz, back again! You know, everyone here in Cuba knows my heart beats for our music, our dances, our soul. And that's true! I feel it in my bones every time I step onto the stage here at the hotel. But I'm going to be real with you—I have a secret passion. It's for the American beat, the American stage, the big, big lights of Broadway. And I have some idols, some giants, who show me the way.

It’s a different kind of rhythm, but it's one I feel so deeply. It's like watching a movie and seeing a whole new world open up. These people, they aren't just famous; they are proof that a big dream can come true.

The Old School: A Gentleman's Grace

My first idol is one I think a lot of people might not expect. Gene Kelly. ¡Wow! I saw him in an old movie, "Singin' in the Rain," and my heart just stopped. The way he moves! It’s not just dancing; it's like he’s telling a whole story with every step. He's so graceful, so strong, so happy when he dances.

I watch his moves and I think, "That's it, that’s what I want to do." He makes it look so easy, but you can see the work, the discipline, the sweat. I try to watch his footwork, the way he smiles, the fire in his eyes. It’s a different kind of dance than ours, you know? But the passion? The pure joy? That’s the same language everywhere.

The Modern Boss: Pushing the Limit

And then there's Beyoncé. ¡Imagínate! She is not just a singer or a dancer. She is a queen, a force of nature. When I see her on screen, I feel like she's looking right at me and telling me to work harder. Her shows, her music, her videos—it's all so perfect, so precise.

She's an artist, but she's also a boss. She is in charge of her own destiny, and she works harder than anyone. She's not just waiting for things to happen. She's making them happen. That's the part that really gets me. It’s not just about the talent; it’s about the drive. That's the lesson she teaches me.

My Stage, My Dream

Right now, my stage is here at the hotel. It's beautiful, yes, but it’s not Broadway. Not yet. I stand under these lights and I think about Gene Kelly's tap shoes on a wet street, or Beyoncé's powerful voice echoing in a giant stadium. And in my mind, I’m trying to bring a little bit of them to my show.

Maybe I'll try to add a little tap rhythm to a Cuban song, or hold a note with the power I imagine she would. It's my way of practicing for the bigger stage. It’s about taking inspiration and making it my own, mixing it with my Cuban soul. Because you can’t forget where you come from, you know?

My dreams are big, and sometimes, they feel very far away. But when I think of my American idols, I don't see them as impossibly big stars. I see them as people who worked, and worked, and worked, until their dreams became real. They are the proof that the stage is waiting for anyone with enough heart.

I'll see you on the stage, someday.

¡Hasta pronto!

Be.