Cuban singer Haila María Mompié has been a figure closely linked to the Cuban government, both for her statements to support the country’s policies and for her public admiration for Fidel Castro. Throughout his career, Haila has participated in various official activities organized by the authorities of the island, which has placed her in a position clearly aligned with the regime. However, there is a less known fact that reveals another facet of the artist, one that challenges the censorship that the Cuban government has imposed on great figures of Cuban music, such as Celia Cruz.
More than 10 years ago, when few Cuban artists dared to publicly mention the name of Celia Cruz due to official censorship, Haila dedicated an entire album to pay tribute to the Guarachera de Cuba. The album, produced by the renowned ISSAC Delgado musician, includes interpretations of some of Cruz’s most emblematic songs, such as Bemba Colorá and Quimbará. This action meant a clear message of admiration for the singer who, despite the restrictions imposed by the Cuban government, remained a figure of great influence for Haila.
Over the years, Haila has not spared praise towards Celia Cruz, highlighting her musical legacy and her impact on Cuban culture. The Cuban singer has declared publicly: “Singing her songs with deep feeling, I want to pay tribute to the world’s guarache. eternal will be the legacy because there is no comparison. I will always praise you because you are my inspiration.” Through these words, Haila expressed the deep respect and admiration she feels for the work of Celia Cruz, whom she considers one of her main sources of inspiration.
Haila has also shared on her Instagram profile photos with Celia Cruz, highlighting the unique and unrepeatable character of the singer. In one of her publications, the Cuban artist wrote: “The greatest, unique, eternal and unrepeatable.” This gesture of sharing your personal relationship with Celia Cruz adds to her public support position towards the figure of the artist, despite the restrictions and censorship imposed in Cuba.
It is well known that the Cuban government not only prohibited Celia Cruz’s music, but also prevented her from attending her mother’s burial in Cuba, which marked one of the most painful episodes of her relationship with the island. Despite this context, Haila has used her platform to express her disagreement with the restrictions to the figure of Celia, making it clear that the censorship of the singer does not represent her. In 2019, Haila said that Celia Cruz could have returned to Cuba and offered a concert in her native country.
Through these statements, Haila expressed what many consider an act of courage and dignity, publicly showing their support for the figure of Celia Cruz and rejecting the restrictions imposed by the Cuban government. Haila emphasized that seeing Celia Cruz returned to Cuba to offer a concert would have been a glorious event, something that, according to her, “would have really been glory.” This expression of desire reflects the respect that Haila feels for the figure of Cruz and her commitment to the preservation of her legacy on the island.
This year, in which the centenary of the birth of Celia Cruz is commemorated, has revealed that he is working on several projects to honor the Guarachera de Cuba. Although Celia Cruz’s centenary has not been highlighted by the official media of Cuba, he has expressed her emotion and enthusiasm for the projects she has underway, which seek to keep the memory and impact of the Cuban singer on music and world culture alive.
Despite the difficulties and restrictions imposed by the Cuban government, Haila María Mompié has continued to be a defender of the legacy of Celia Cruz, and her position contrasts with the official censorship. While the figure of Celia Cruz is still silenced in the Cuban media, Haila continues to promote her music and her legacy, maintaining her admiration for the artist who, without a doubt, remains an indisputable icon of Latin music.
