After a 15-year hiatus, the iconic Mexican Pop band, RBD, performed at L.A.’s BMO stadium for their “Soy Rebelde” tour.
The band first became popularized in the 2004 telenovela, “Rebelde” which follows the lives of six teenage students attending a prestigious private school that start a band together– “rebelling” against school policy.
“Rebelde” garnered international success, selling over 15 million records, making RBD one of the best-selling Latin music artists of all time and “Rebelde” a classic telenovela within the Latinx community.
For many concert-goers, RBD’s tour and music evoke a sense of nostalgia, transporting them to their childhoods.
“We’re super excited to remember old times from our childhoods and now with the company of our families to sing our lungs out,” said Yoly Villegas.
“[Estamos] super emocionadas de recordar viejos tiempos de la infancia y sobre todo en compañía de la familia para cantar a todo pulmón,” dice Yoly Villegas.
Another attendee, Ana Karen Muñoz was excited to experience the nostalgia from the music of Rebelde.
“When you listen to their songs, you go back in time. You relive those moments from the past and it’s something very beautiful to remember your childhood… [They’re] very nice memories,” said Muñoz.
“Cuando escuchas sus canciones te regresas al tiempo de atrás. Vuelves a vivir ese momento que tu estabas viviendo en ese momento. Es algo muy bonito que empiezas a recordar tu niñez… Recuerdos muy bonitos,” dice Ana Karen Muñoz.
RBD members started working on separate projects, expanding their careers and starting families after disbanding in 2009. Maite Perroni dominated the telenovela scene with lead roles in “Triunfo de Amor” and “La Gata,” meanwhile Anahí, Christian Chávez, Dulce Maria and Christopher Von Uckermann continued to create music, however RBD never reunited until their “Soy Rebelde” tour announcement last year.
The highly anticipated tour generated immense nostalgia from fans, who often grew up watching the show but never had the opportunity to see the band perform– fueling sentiments of healing the inner child.
Julianna Vivas, an RBD fan since childhood, looked forward to hearing the song, “No Pares” by Dulce Maria.
“[Hearing the song “No Pares”] That’s what’s going to heal my childhood wound. Dulce Maria, I love you and that’s what’s gonna heal me– your voice,” said Vivas.
Vivas brought her mother, Vicky, to the RBD concert and shared how this was a special night for them since they never had the opportunity to watch the band perform back in the day, and are thrilled to have the opportunity now.
“I feel so excited because my daughter has always wanted to come and we were never able to come before. I feel very happy because, you know, she’s big now and both of us were able to come,” said Vicky Vivas.
“Yo me siento tan emocionada porque mi hija siempre quiso venir y nunca pudimos venir. Y ahorita me siento bien feliz porque pues ya está grande y pudimos venir las dos,” dice Vicky Vivas.
RBD singer, Anahí, addressed the endless love and passion fans display through their concert outfits, saying this special moment connects to fans healing their inner child.
“It’s impressive how every night you surprise us and fill us with joy, seeing how you prepare for the concert. It’s not only coming, it’s coming in the way that y’all do it,” said Anahí. “That is truly putting love in going somewhere to reunite yourself with your inner child, who waited so long for this night.”
“Es impresionante como cada noche nos soprenden y nos llenan el alma viendo como se preparan para venir al concierto. Porque no solo es venir, es venir de como ustedes lo hacen,” said Anahí. “Eso es realmente ponerle corazón para ir a un lugar a reencontrarte con tu niño interior que espero tanto esta noche.”
“Rebelde” characters are known for their iconic Y2K preppy fashion, inspiring concert-goers for their concert day outfits. Fans dressed up in white buttoned-up shirts, blazers and the iconic red ties used by the Elite Way School students– paying homage to the uniforms worn in the telenovela.
Mia Colucci and Roberta Pardo Rey outfit interpretations filled the stadium as well.
Mia Colucci is often deemed the show’s “it” girl in her hyper-feminine aesthetic, exuding confidence in form-fitting and sexy clothing. A Mia Colucci outfit must include a mini skirt, crop top, knee-high boots, bright colors and blinged-out accessories. She’s also known for her iconic star sticker placed on the center of her forehead, her 2000s hair with blonde highlights and butterflies adorning her wardrobe.
Roberta Pardo Rey displayed a darker and edgy aesthetic on the show; wearing a darker color palette, plaid mini skirts, skull t-shirts, peace signs, silver chains and bold accessories. Roberta is also known for her red hair highlights, which many fans emulated.
Throughout the night, themes of unity and peace resonated throughout the stadium.
“Thank you for making this night possible. I want to remind everyone of one thing: Here gender doesn’t exist, nor language, nor religion because we are all the same and you all are RBD,” said band member, Maite Perroni.
“Gracias por hacer que esto exista el día de hoy. Entonces solo les quiero recordarles una cosa: Aqui no existe sexo, lengua, ni religion porque todos somos iguales y ustedes son RBD,” dice Maite Perroni.
RBD addressed the war in Israel and Palestine, prompting the audience to love one another and band together for peace. Christopher Von Uckermann dedicated his solo song performance, “Inalcanzable” to “humanity and peace,” urging fans to unite and send positive energy to those in war.
In an intimate moment, Perroni tearfully opened up about hitting low moments in life and feeling judged by others but urged fans to not care what others think, what’s important is yourself and continue to move forward in life.
Christian Chávez shared a similar message, especially through stepping more into his Queer identity and expressing himself freely.
This is a big moment for Chávez, considering the controversy in 2007, when the media leaked his civil marriage ceremony, essentially outing him to the public and receiving extensive backlash. Chávez was one of the first Latinx celebrities to come out as Gay and is a prominent figure for LGBTQ+ rights within the Latinx community.
Chávez has one message for all Rebelde fans,
“Who gives a f–ck about what others think of us,” said Chávez.
“Vale madre lo que los demás piensan de nosotros,” dice Chávez.
Or in other words, be yourself and keep being “rebelde.”