Chart hits, a world-conquering number one single, and massive solo success soon followed.
This is the stunning transformation of Camila Cabello.
When her mother packed up their life along, the then-6-year-old was told they were headed to Disney World.
There, they stayed with friends until solid work could be found.
Cabello’s mother had just $500 with her.
“Her goal was always to end up in the United States.
The youngster’s father followed soon after, swimming the Rio Grande to join them.
Her father earned money by washing cars, finally securing his green card in 2016.
Speaking toMiss Voguein August 2017, the singer-songwriter said she’s “more than comfortable” sharing her story.
“I’m super proud of it and where I come from, and what my family has done.
“My parents' story helps me to know what’s important in life.
Not so for Cabello who, by her own admission, was painfully shy as a child.
“There are memories of me being very introverted and shy when I was in Cuba.
I hated family parties.
I don’t think people saw this coming for me,” she told the publication frankly.
Instead, the family spent the money driving to North Carolina so she could audition forThe X Factor.
“I kind of became the person that I wanted to be.
In interviews, I was super goofy and confident.
I look at videos of myself from the first performance, and I’m winking and pointing.
Thus, Fifth Harmony was born.
The band enjoyedmassive successbut Cabello soon found herself itching to break out on her own.
Nobody ever put a gun to my head and was like, ‘You have to do this.’
Cabello admitted she hadn’t slept at all in the two weeks prior to release.
Otherwise, the nerves would be way worse,” the singer-songwriter explained (as reported bythe BBC).
The track enjoyed moderate chart success, topping out at #47 on theBillboard Hot 100.
Basically, every part of me that makes me me is on there,” she gushed.
The singer-songwriter still lives at home with her family in Miami and music is her #1 focus.
Being super famous is never going to be the end goal.
The Cuban-American toldMarie Claire UK(viaE!
News) in May 2018 that it’s never about just making money.
“My worst fear is making an album for it to sell a lot or be super successful.
That’s just so cringey to me.
… Music is not my business, it’s my life.
As Cabello previously explained toMiss Vogue, it’s all about listening to her gut.
“I think it’s setting your mind to something and not stopping until you get it.
Painting the town red
Plenty of young female stars do makeup collaborations.
The products are all products that I wear, and that I would wear on a day off.
On the decision to name the collection “Havana,” Cabello toldElleit was a no-brainer.
“So much of me comes from my culture.
I live in Miami now, and Miami has so muchCuban influence.
That’s the beauty of it,” she gushed.
“This year has been all about you and the new memories we’ve made with these songs.
I like living how I want to live.”
Looking to the future, Cabello hopes to continue showcasing her impressive skill-set.
But as a performer, I want people to be excited and for it to feel unexpected and unpredictable.
I definitely want people to think I’m nice,” she enthused.
