BREAKING THROUGH: DELILAH ON MUSIC, MENTORSHIP, AND RISING TO THE SPOTLIGHT

In a quiet pocket of Washington state, far from the urban sprawl of Los Angeles or the rhythmic pulse of Mexico, Delilah Cabrera’s story began. Her hometown of Wenatchee isn’t the kind of place that typically makes headlines for launching Latin music stars, let alone voices destined for an international stage. But for Delilah, it was where her love for music took root, where mariachi rehearsals echoed through school hallways and small-town fairs became proving grounds for big dreams. 

“There’s a lot of Mexican influence in my area,” Delilah says, reflecting on her upbringing. “There were always little groups performing, mariachi programs in schools, choirs, strings. Even in elementary, music was always around me.” 

Still, the idea of making it as an artist felt far away. “To be able to make it out of my little town through music, didn’t even feel possible,” she laughs. “It felt like a dream. I always loved it, but I told myself to be realistic.”

That changed the night she performed at the Puyallup State Fair with her school’s mariachi group. After their set, the crowd began chanting her name. “I went back up and sang another song,” she recalls. “I looked out and saw people crying, singing along, and even little girls coming up to the stage. I felt so safe, like these people got me. That’s when I knew this is where I was meant to be.” 

From then on, Delilah seized every opportunity. From performing at local events to singing the national anthem at community events, she said yes to any stage. Her big break came from an unexpected place though, as a collaboration with a friend’s group went viral online. 

“I didn’t even have social media,” she admits. “A friend asked me to sing with his group to get them more exposure, and that first video went way bigger than we expected. I remember praying the night before, saying, ‘God, please let this get into the right hands.’ The next day, people at school were like, ‘Have you seen the video?’”

Those “right hands” eventually led her to Los CT, where she became the first female artist under the label’s Mexican regional imprint. The partnership later extended to Interscope Records, opening the door for Delilah to step into a new chapter of her career. 

“It still feels surreal,” Delilah says, her voice soft with disbelief. “When people ask how things are going, I’ll say, ‘I’m signed to Interscope,’ and even hearing myself say that feels crazy. Everyone has been so supportive. It really feels like a family.”

That support has been especially meaningful for Delilah, particularly from the women around her. “When we shot my last video, my whole team was women. It was so cool. I’ve worked with amazing men too, but being surrounded by women and seeing how we uplift each other is inspiring.” 

Delilah has learned to value that connection after years of struggling with friendships growing up. “I always wanted to be a girls’ girl, but struggled to keep those friendships”. Stating that girls growing up were very mean to her. 

Those early experiences shaped the way she navigates an industry still dominated by men. “There are more men and with that comes competition,” she reflects. “But there are also so many strong, impactful women who make it all worth it. People like Becky, who’s been a big sister to me. She saw herself in me, and that means everything. 

Her connection with Becky G began in a surprisingly casual way, over FaceTime. “I was in sweatpants, my hair was messy, I’d just had a long day in the studio,” Delilah laughs. “And then suddenly I’m FaceTiming Becky G! I didn’t know what to say but she was so sweet and welcoming.” The initial encounter soon led to a studio collaboration during which Delilah recorded her part while secretly fighting off a cold. “I didn’t tell anyone I was sick. I just wanted it to be perfect. I didn’t want to miss that opportunity,” she admits. 

That same humility and drive have carried Delilah through every step of her burgeoning career, from local stages to international tours. Opening for Ivan Cornejo on tour, she faced the challenge of winning over audiences who hadn’t come for her…yet. “As an opener, you have to win people over,” she says. “But Ivan’s audience was so respectful. I’d sing and people would turn on their flashlights and sing with me.” 

Her ability to connect, no matter the stage or language, is something she channels directly into her music. After a year of creative experimentation, Delilah calls this moment a “new era”. 

Her latest single, “La Peli” exemplifies this shift. Following “Si Dios Lo Queria,” the new track blends emotional storytelling with Delilah’s signature warmth. “It’s part of this new chapter,” she says. “There were a lot of things happening behind the scenes this year, so even though I released it later than I wanted, I feel like it’s all aligning now.”

With more music and collab rotations on the horizon, Delilah’s focus remains simple: staying grounded in gratitude. “I think back to that prayer I said before everything started,” she reflects. “All I asked was that my music reach the right people. And it did. So as long as I keep connecting with people, that’s all that matters.”

From a small-town fair stage to one of the biggest labels in the world, Delilah Cabrera’s journey is a testament to conviction, hard work, and the quiet power of authenticity. With “La Peli”, she steps confidently into a new chapter and the spotlight is firmly on her.

Written by: Ana Oquendo

Photographed by: Steven Esperanza