I was a child star, but at 15 I wanted a normal life. I now run a talent agency that generates $4 million in revenue.
Tatiana Bolaños, a name that resonates with many who grew up in the 1990s, began her journey in the entertainment industry at the tender age of six when she won a competition on the iconic variety show “Sábado Gigante.” This victory led to her signing with Sony Records, where she adopted the stage persona “La Chiquita Divina” and became a celebrated child star in the Mariachi music genre. Despite her early success, which included traveling the world and producing a Gold album, Bolaños faced challenges that many young stars encounter. The pressures of fame and the relentless pursuit of a career in music overshadowed her childhood, leading to feelings of isolation and bullying at school. By the time she turned 15, Bolaños made a pivotal decision to step back from the spotlight to embrace a more traditional high school experience, prioritizing social activities like homecoming and prom over her burgeoning music career.
After graduating high school, Bolaños briefly explored her passion for music again but ultimately redirected her career path toward marketing and public relations. In 2015, she founded her own PR agency, which would later evolve into The Lilac Agency, focusing on talent management for social media influencers. By 2017, her agency was thriving, generating nearly $4 million in revenue. Today, Bolaños leads an all-female team and emphasizes the importance of mental health and diversity within her agency. Reflecting on her journey, she emphasizes the necessity of adaptability in life and career, stating that while she loved being a singer, she has found fulfillment in her current role away from the public eye. Her story serves as a testament to resilience and the importance of having a backup plan, inspiring others to embrace change and seek out diverse opportunities in their careers.
Tatiana Bolaños signed with Sony records when she was 6
Courtesy of Karen Castaneda
Tatiana Bolaños signed with Sony Records when she was 6.
At 15, and decided to leave singing to have a typical high school career.
Now, she runs a talent agency for social media influencers.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with
Tatiana Bolaños
, founder of
The Lilac Agency
. It has been edited for length and clarity.
Ask any Latina growing up in the 1990s, and she’ll know the variety show ”
Sábado Gigante
.” For me, the show was life-changing. I won the competition when I was only 6 years old. Not long after that, I performed for a room full of Sony Executives in Key West and signed with the label.
I started my singing career as “La Chiquita Divina,” singing traditional
Mariachi music
. I was born in LA, but learned these songs from my mother, who is Mexican.
Tatiana Bolaños performed on “Despierta América” as a kid.
Courtesy of Tatiana Bolaños
My
singing career
took over my childhood. I got to travel the world and even produced a Gold album. I remember being in Colombia, and children chasing after the van I was in, trying to give me gifts. I was only 8, but that is imprinted on my mind.
I felt like my voice was a gift from God, and I was happy to have the chance to share it with the world.
I traded singing for normal life when I was 15
I didn’t have time to enjoy school or make friends because of my career. Kids at my school in LA would make fun of me and
bully me
. I felt a lot of shame for being different from my American peers.
By the time I was 15, I knew I wanted to end my contract with Sony. I had achieved my dream of being a performer. Now, I wanted a more normal life — to
attend homecoming
and prom. Luckily, my parents were supportive.
The money I made from singing was never a major factor for my family. My dad still had to
work as a mechanic
at the garage that he owned. Most of the money was saved for when I was 18, due to California’s child labor laws. That wasn’t a ton, but it was thousands: enough to make a down payment on a house for my parents.
I like being out of the public eye
After I graduated from high school, I
moved to Arizona
for a few years. I was still toying with the idea of getting back into music, so I returned to LA. I worked in a Verizon store for years, selling phones while pursuing my music career. Ultimately, I had to accept that my music career was over. It just wasn’t meant to be.
I dabbled in marketing and PR, and ultimately opened my own PR agency in 2015. Through that, I met social media influencers. By 2017, I had pivoted to talent management for influencers. Last year, my agency generated just under $4 million in revenue.
Tatiana Bolaños now has an agency working with creators.
Courtesy of Tatiana Bolaños
I love the work that I do today. I lead an all-female team of managers and have created an environment that promotes the work of BIPOC people while prioritizing the mental health of my team. I still get to meet a lot of interesting people and use my bubbly personality, but I don’t have to be in the public eye, which took a lot out of me as a kid.
I’ve learned to always have a backup plan
I’ve learned that change is OK in life. For a while, I loved being a singer, until I didn’t. Working in a cellphone store wasn’t glamorous, but it helped me support myself in LA. And now, I love where I’ve landed.
I don’t regret signing with Sony, nor do I regret ending the contract. I’ve learned you have to be ready for changes. I tell my influencers to diversify their income streams. If this job wasn’t working out for me, I’d consider becoming a property manager — though I don’t see this as a viable option.
Read the original article on
Business Insider
Eric
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