The renowned Cuban singer Ivette Cepeda recently shared an emotional and inspiring message on social media, revealing that at the age of 43, while still performing in the cabarets of Havana, she had to make a pivotal decision regarding her career.
In a Facebook post, Cepeda explained that 20 years ago, while working in cabarets and with her son still in daycare, he would often complain that she wasn't there to put him to bed: "As soon as I arrived home in the early hours, he would call me to help him with the bathroom, give him milk, and have a good cuddle session," she noted.
Over time, and due to her son's usual age-related desire to spend more time with his mother, she decided to take a leap of faith. However, she confessed that she spent countless hours back then trying to figure out how to make it happen.
Something significant pushed her to take control of her destiny. One day, while taking her son to school, he asked if they would work at night and if she would put him to bed. "It was all because of the songs I sang to him!" Cepeda said.
"One morning, we passed by a record store, and he said: 'You're not famous. Haila is. You don't have records,'" the artist shared on social media.
With the support of many friends and her mother, who reminded her of the imminent passage of time (she was already 46), she managed to perform the first concert of her life, marking the birth of 'Estaciones,' explained the celebrated Cuban singer.
She recounted that the first song she premiered was written by composer Fernando Aramís, which she considered a "gift for my mom."
"But I thought: how many mothers wouldn't do the same to fulfill God's plan and for their children to give that extra effort, the one needed to truly understand our purpose in this world?" Cepeda shared on Facebook.
"I came to sing and to thank God for many things," she added, emphasizing that one of the greatest gifts of her life has been her mother: Himilce Quevedo Pérez.
Regarding that first performance, she noted that "it was the only concert my mother could attend, on November 8, 2008, at the Sala Teatro Bellas Artes."
Following that breakthrough, Cepeda has achieved numerous personal and professional successes. Undoubtedly, one of the most significant was the release of her first studio album, "La rosa de Jericó," in 2021.
The album included 12 songs from renowned authors such as Polito Ibáñez, Carlos Varela, Ireno García, Augusto Blanca, Leonardo García, and Yhosvany Palma, among others.
In 2022, she also released "Como la lluvia," a love story filmed in Isla de la Juventud, which served as a tribute to photographer Jaime Prendes and his wife, poet Bellasoe Cobas, who passed away the previous year.
Ivette Cepeda's Journey and Achievements
To provide more insights into Ivette Cepeda's career and life decisions, here are some frequently asked questions:
What inspired Ivette Cepeda to focus on her singing career?
Ivette Cepeda was inspired by her son's comments and the support of friends and family, particularly her mother, to take control of her destiny and focus on her singing career.
What was Ivette Cepeda's first major concert?
Her first major concert was on November 8, 2008, at the Sala Teatro Bellas Artes, which marked the birth of her project 'Estaciones.'
What are some highlights from Ivette Cepeda's music career?
Some highlights of her career include the release of her first studio album "La rosa de Jericó" in 2021 and the 2022 release of "Como la lluvia," a tribute to photographer Jaime Prendes and poet Bellasoe Cobas.