Ana Mena
Who was Ana Mena?
Spanish singer-songwriter and actress known for her reggaeton and Latin pop collaborations with artists like Becky G and CNCO. She has also appeared in television series and films while pursuing her music career.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Ana Mena (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Ana Mena Rojas was born on February 25, 1997, in Estepona, Andalusia, Spain. She started her career young, making her acting debut in the 2009 TV series "Marisol, la película." The next year, she appeared on Disney's musical reality show "My Camp Rock 2," which she won, hinting at her early talent for performance that would continue in different areas throughout her career.
Her music career took off in 2016 with her first single "No soy como tú crees," which made her a name in the Spanish pop scene. In 2018, she released her first studio album, "Índex," and collaborated with Italian rapper Fred De Palma on the song "D'estate non vale," which became a surprise hit in Italy. This success changed her career path, giving her a significant Italian fanbase and making her one of the few Spanish artists to achieve ongoing commercial success in several European markets at once.
Following her Italian success, Ana Mena kept building her international profile. She took part in the Sanremo Music Festival in 2022 with the song "Duecentomila ore," one of Italy's most watched music events. She also recorded Spanish-language versions of Italian pop songs, including "Música ligera," based on "Musica leggerissima" by Colapesce and Dimartino, and "Un clásico," from Ernia's "Superclassico." These covers showed her ability to connect Spanish and Italian audiences.
Beyond Italy and Spain, Ana Mena gained fans in France, Switzerland, Mexico, Argentina, and Chile. According to her record label Sony Music, by 2025, she had sales equivalent to one Diamond certification in France, with 70 Platinum and 16 Gold certifications in Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Mexico, and Argentina. Her second studio album, "Bellodrama," came out on March 24, 2023, continuing her work as a recording artist while she stayed active in the Latin pop and reggaeton scenes through collaborations with international artists like Becky G and CNCO.
In addition to her music, Ana Mena has kept up her acting career in TV and film. Her presence in both fields has made her a well-known figure in Spanish entertainment. She received the Premio Odeón in 2022, the Premio de la Academia de Música in 2024, and the Medal of Andalusia in 2026, which is one of the top honors from the regional government of Andalusia for those who have strongly contributed to its cultural reputation.
Before Fame
Ana Mena grew up in Estepona, a coastal city in Málaga, southern Andalusia. Interested in performing from a young age, she got into the entertainment world early, landing a role in the TV series "Marisol, la película" in 2009 before becoming a teenager. Her participation in Disney's "My Camp Rock 2" in 2010 and winning the show gave her early exposure to competitive musical performance and a platform that was rare for Spanish child entertainers of her generation.
In her teens, Ana Mena worked to transition from a child performer to a serious recording artist, challenging herself to build credibility in a music industry now greatly influenced by streaming services and social media. Her debut single in 2016 marked her official move into that world. In the years that followed, she steadily collaborated and released music, expanding her reach from Spain to international markets.
Key Achievements
- Won Disney's My Camp Rock 2 competition in Spain in 2010 at age 13
- Achieved major commercial success in Italy with 'D'estate non vale' (2018), becoming one of the most internationally successful Spanish pop artists of the streaming era
- Participated in the Sanremo Music Festival 2022 with 'Duecentomila ore'
- Accumulated over 70 Platinum and 16 Gold certifications across Spain, Italy, France, Switzerland, Mexico, and Argentina by 2025
- Received the Medal of Andalusia in 2026, one of the highest cultural honors granted by the Andalusian regional government
Did You Know?
- 01.Ana Mena won Disney's My Camp Rock 2 in Spain in 2010, making her one of the few Spanish artists to launch a career through a Disney competition format.
- 02.Her 2018 collaboration with Italian rapper Fred De Palma, 'D'estate non vale,' became a major hit in Italy despite neither artist having previously broken through there, launching a lasting connection between Ana Mena and the Italian music market.
- 03.She performed at the Sanremo Music Festival in 2022, a competition that dates back to 1951 and is considered the most culturally significant annual music event in Italy.
- 04.By 2025, her record label Sony Music reported she had achieved the equivalent of one Diamond certification in France alone, alongside 70 Platinum and 16 Gold certifications across five countries.
- 05.She has recorded Spanish-language versions of Italian pop songs, effectively functioning as a musical interpreter between two of Europe's largest language markets.
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Premios Odeón | 2022 | — |
| Premios de la Academia de Música | 2024 | — |
| Medal of Andalusia | 2026 | — |