History
Ximena Sariñana Rivera, born October 29, 1985, in Guadalajara, Mexico, is a Grammy and Latin Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter and actress. Her musical journey began in 2008 with the release of her debut studio album, Mediocre.
Mediocre: A Critically Acclaimed Debut
Released on February 12, 2008, by Warner Music Group, Mediocre is an adult contemporary pop-rock and vocal jazz album largely penned by Sariñana herself. The album quickly found success, debuting at number 19 on the Mexican Top 100 Album charts and climbing to number 2 within five weeks. On March 28, 2008, Mediocre was certified gold by AMPROFON for selling over 50,000 copies, eventually reaching platinum status for sales exceeding 80,000 units.
Singles and Recognition
The lead single, "Vidas Paralelas," achieved significant airplay in Mexico, reaching number 9 on the Mexican Top 100 singles chart and topping the Los 40 Principales singles chart. Its music video, filmed in Iceland and directed by Pablo Dávila, premiered on MTV Mexico in late 2007. After an initial period of limited airplay, the video gained considerable traction following the single's radio release, debuting on MTV's Top 20 and hitting number 1 on May 31, 2008. The second single, "No Vuelvo Más," premiered exclusively on MTV Mexico on July 14, 2008. Sariñana's debut earned her two Latin Grammy nominations for Best New Artist and Best Alternative Song.
Second Album and Crossover Attempt
Sariñana's second, self-titled album featured predominantly English-language songs. This crossover effort was supported by collaborations with notable producers such as Greg Kurstin (known for his work with Lily Allen) and Dave Sitek of TV On The Radio, who contributed to the album's polished sound. The songs were written or co-written by Sariñana, with contributions from artists like Natalia Lafourcade. Recorded in Mexico City and Los Angeles throughout 2009 and completed in early 2011, the album was slated for release in North America on August 2, 2011, with the first single, "Different," scheduled for release in June 2011.