Karol G Revives “El Show de Cristina” for One-Night-Only Special After 14 Years

In a powerful celebration of music, identity, and legacy, Karol G brought El Show de Cristina out of retirement for a one-night-only special on Univision… the first new episode in 14 years.

Hosted by legendary Cuban-American journalist Cristina Saralegui, El Show de Cristina was a staple of Spanish-language television throughout the ‘90s and 2000s. Known for its emotional interviews and star-studded guest list, the talk show featured some of the biggest icons in Latine music history, including Celia Cruz, Shakira, Gloria Estefan, Selena Quintanilla, Ricky Martin, and Thalía. The show originally ran for over two decades before airing its final episode on November 1, 2010.

Now, in 2025, Karol G has brought the beloved program back into the spotlight as a nostalgic tribute and a bold statement of cultural pride.

The special episode marked the first official interview for Karol G’s highly anticipated new album Tropicoqueta. When Cristina asked why she chose to resurrect the iconic show, Karol G spoke from the heart. “I have a very special dream,” she said in Spanish. “I grew up watching your interviews. They were a huge window for many Latin artists around the world. If there’s going to be a first interview for my album, it has to be on El Show de Cristina.”

During the interview, Karol G opened up about the inspiration behind Tropicoqueta, her evolution as a female artist in a male-dominated industry, and the importance of honoring her roots. She shared stories of collaborating with the very legends she grew up admiring, including Mexican pop icon Thalía and singer-songwriter Marco Antonio Solís of Los Bukis.

Cristina asked Karol G to reflect on the broader experience of being Latina in the U.S. today — particularly in a time where some feel hesitant to speak their native language or embrace their background, “For the Latino, it takes a lot to get to a point where you feel proud of where you’re from, the language you speak, our cultures,” Karol G said. “I felt that we were achieving that in some ways, but I feel like there’s a fear once again of saying where you’re from and speaking your language, and I just want to tell people to never feel ashamed of where we come from… We Latinos are proud and hard-working people, and there is evolution, magic, love, passion, creativity, and many more things. So many great things in the world have happened due to our hard work.”

Karol G’s decision to relaunch El Show de Cristina for her album launch was a reclamation of nostalgia and history for many Latinos. The episode resonated with viewers who grew up watching Cristina’s interviews, offering a touching full-circle moment.