Thalia, who has a pair of recordings sharing space on the Latin charts, has wrapped recording of her English-language debut and plans to release the album July 8th on Virgin. The untitled project follows Thalia's breakthrough 2002 self-titled recording, which featured all Spanish-language material, save "The Mexican," her hit single, featuring a guest vocal by Marc Anthony.

Having sold more than 7 million records in the international Latin market, the Mexico native now looks to tap a broader American audience, much the same way Anthony and Shakira did with their English-language recordings. Already, four of her albums -- En Extasis (1995), Amor a la Mexicana (1997), Arrasando (2000) and Thalia -- have been certified platinum in the U.S. Several producers, some who have helped record crossover successes, contributed to the upcoming album, including Steve Morales (Christina Aguilera, Enrique Iglesias), Cory Rooney (Destiny's Child) and Rick Wake (Marc Anthony).

An entertainer before the age of ten, Thalia recorded with a pair of popular teen pop ensembles, Din-Din and Timbiriche, in addition to starring in soap operas throughout the Eighties and Nineties. Her first album, also self-titled, was released in 1990.

Thalia's new single, "I Want You," which features a guest vocal by Fat Joe, has already been released to radio.

ANDREW DANSBY
(May 27, 2003)