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 former child star who signed with Sony Records at just six years old, has transitioned from a life in the spotlight to running a successful talent agency for social media influencers. Her journey began when she won a singing competition on the iconic variety show “Sábado Gigante,” which led to her being signed by Sony. As a child, she performed traditional Mariachi music under the moniker “La Chiquita Divina,” traveling the world and even producing a Gold album. Despite her early success, the pressures of fame took a toll on her childhood, leading her to feel isolated and bullied at school. By the age of 15, Bolaños made the brave decision to leave her music career behind in pursuit of a more typical adolescence, with the support of her family.
After stepping back from the limelight, Bolaños sought to redefine her path. She moved to Arizona and briefly worked in a Verizon store while considering a return to music. Ultimately, she realized that her singing career had run its course and pivoted towards marketing and public relations. In 2015, she launched her own PR agency, which evolved into The Lilac Agency, focusing on talent management for social media influencers. In just a few years, her agency has thrived, generating nearly $4 million in revenue last year. Bolaños now leads an all-female team, fostering an inclusive environment that prioritizes the mental health of her staff and supports BIPOC creators. Reflecting on her journey, she emphasizes the importance of adaptability and the value of having a backup plan, encouraging her influencers to diversify their income streams as she did.
Bolaños’s story is one of resilience and reinvention, showcasing how she transformed early fame into a fulfilling career behind the scenes. Her experiences serve as a reminder that change is a natural part of life, and with determination and support, one can find success in unexpected places.
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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