Karol G: From "Bichota" to Global Icon

Karol G, the Colombian pop sensation known as "La Bichota," has ascended to become a dominant force in Latin music. Her journey, marked by relentless hard work and unwavering passion, is chronicled in the Netflix documentary "Karol G: Tomorrow Was Beautiful." The documentary offers an intimate look at her Mañana Será Bonito Tour, a global stadium tour that solidified her status as the first female Latin artist to achieve this feat.

Karol G’s success is built on a foundation of infectious reggaeton grooves and lyrics that resonate with her audience. Her songs, sonic confessions of love and self-empowerment, have conquered charts and captivated fans worldwide. Despite her commanding stage presence, Karol G emphasizes the importance of vulnerability and authenticity, shedding the "social media glitter" to reveal the struggles and triumphs behind her rise to the top.

Director Cristina Costantini highlights Karol G’s commitment to portraying the less glamorous aspects of her journey. "We don’t often imagine that after our heroes and pop stars are done with their performances that they’re going off stage and collapsing and crying," Costantini observes. "Once the performance is over is when the really interesting part of the story starts."

The Mañana Será Bonito Tour, inspired by the overwhelming fan response to her 2023 album of the same name, initially faced skepticism from Karol G’s team. The album, a groundbreaking achievement, became the first all-Spanish album by a female artist to reach the top of the Billboard 200 chart. Despite the doubts, Karol G trusted her intuition, driven by a profound connection with her audience.

The tour’s success was undeniable. It grossed $313.3 million and attracted 2.3 million fans across North America, Europe, and Latin America, becoming the highest-grossing Latin tour by a female artist. Karol G reflects on her decision to follow her instincts: "It was hard for them to understand, but in the end, I’m super happy that I just followed my intuition. It gave me more confidence to keep following my thoughts and feelings. I’m super proud and super grateful for what happened."

For Karol G, the triumph of "Mañana Será Bonito" is not merely a professional achievement; it is a launching pad for her personal and artistic evolution. She views this moment as an opportunity to elevate herself and demonstrate her readiness to embrace her position as a leading figure in the music industry. "I’ve always been super dedicated to my career and my music; I’m very passionate. But after all that happened, I had to stop and think about what’s next because I had to see this as the great opportunity of my life," Karol G explains. "Right now, I have this opportunity to give this dignity to myself and elevate myself to the highest level – to be out and show the world I’m ready to be in this position."

Looking ahead, Karol G is focused on crafting her next musical chapter. Her upcoming fifth album promises to be a multimedia experience, showcasing her growth and versatility as an artist. "I’ve been creating what for me would be my dream next level of Karol G," she shares. "I’m so excited because it’s not just music. It’s so many different things that I worked on surrounding the same project in different routes."

"Tomorrow Was Beautiful" also offers a glimpse into Karol G’s relationship with reggaeton singer-songwriter Feid. The couple’s connection deepened during Karol G’s 2021-2022 Bichota Tour, where Feid served as her opening act. Their shared passion for music and mutual understanding of the demands of their careers have strengthened their bond.

While both artists have achieved significant success individually, they prefer to keep their professional and personal lives separate. "Both of our music has different feelings and even different narratives and perceptions, so we don’t try to put what we think in the other’s career," Karol G explains. "But we support each other. If he needs an opinion or if I need an opinion, or whatever we need, we’re going to be there."

Karol G’s journey has been transformative, particularly in how she views her womanhood. Initially, she perceived it as an obstacle in the male-dominated reggaeton scene. However, she has embraced her femininity and become a driving force in the girl-power revolution that has reshaped the genre. Her success at the 2024 Latin Grammys, where she won the award for best urban album for the second consecutive year, underscores her impact. She became the first woman to accomplish this feat.

Karol G acknowledges the women who paved the way for her and expresses her commitment to creating opportunities for future generations. "In the beginning, everything was about being a girl in this industry and why it wasn’t possible," she recalls. "Like other women opened doors for me, in this generation I’m one of those who is trying to make a difference, and this gives me a lot of motivation to keep going and to keep trying to change the story and the path."

Costantini emphasizes the importance of Karol G’s all-female team in her success, highlighting the authenticity and perspective that these young Latina women bring to the table. Their collective efforts have contributed to Karol G’s brand and message, resonating with fans worldwide.

Despite her achievements, Karol G remains grounded and introspective. A poignant scene in "Tomorrow Was Beautiful" reveals her belief that she will die young, a conviction that fuels her desire to create and leave a lasting impact.

This somber reflection contrasts with the optimistic message of the Mañana Será Bonito project. The documentary reveals that perhaps the true beauty lies in her music’s capacity to offer people peace. "If someone is happy because of my music, that’s the best legacy that I can leave," she says. "I just want to be that person where people find a little more peace in this tough world."