Gabriela Villalba facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gabriela Villalba
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | María Gabriela Villalba Jervis |
| Also known as | Gaby de K |
| Born | 20 September 1984 |
| Origin | Quito, Ecuador |
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María Gabriela Villalba Jervis (born September 21, 1984, in Quito, Ecuador) is an Ecuadorian singer and actress. She is also known as Gaby de K. The "K" in her nickname refers to the bands Kiruba and Kudai, both of which she was a member of.
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About Gabriela Villalba
Her Early Life
Gabriela Villalba was born in Quito, Ecuador, on September 20, 1984. Her full name is María Gabriela Villalba Jervis. She has seven brothers and sisters. Gabriela started her career in media at a very young age by appearing in TV commercials. She went to Jacques Cousteau High School in Guangopolo, a small town near Quito.
Joining the Band Kiruba
Gabriela became famous after joining the TV show Popstars in Ecuador. She won the competition and became part of the popular Ecuadorian girl band, Kiruba. The band quickly sold 20,000 copies of their first album. Kiruba released two studio albums, Kiruba and Baila La Luna, before the group ended after two years.
Becoming a TV Star and Solo Artist
After Kiruba broke up in 2005, Gabriela starred in a Colombian TV show called Al Ritmo De Tu Corazón. She also sang and wrote the main song for the show. This led to offers for her to start a solo music career.
Gabriela released her first solo album, Todo Bien (which means Everything's Fine), in 2005. Her song "Me Doy Vueltas" ("I Turn In Circles") became a popular hit in Ecuador.
Songs on Todo Bien
- Un Contacto
- Todo Bien
- Me Doy Vueltas
- Vuelve A Mí
- Tantos Besos
- Eres Linda
- Soñaré
- Dame Tu Mano
- Sin Palabras
- Quisiera
Joining the Band Kudai
On May 30, 2006, Gabriela was invited to perform before the Chilean pop rock band Kudai in Quito. Kudai's manager was very impressed by her singing. He asked her to temporarily join the band because one of their singers was absent.
About a month later, Nicole Natalino left Kudai. In August 2006, Gabriela officially became a permanent member of the group. Kudai later stopped performing in 2010. However, the band got back together in 2016 with its original members. In 2024, Kudai reunited with Gabriela, making it a five-person band for the first time ever.
Music Albums
Gabriela Villalba has been part of several successful music albums:
- Kiruba (2003): This was Kiruba's first album and sold over 20,000 copies in Ecuador. It included popular songs like "Quisiera" and "Camina".
- Baila La Luna (2004): Kiruba's second album, which also did very well in Ecuador.
- Todo Bien (2005): Gabriela's first solo album, which was a hit in Ecuador.
- Sobrevive (re-release) (2006): An album she was part of with Kudai.
- Nadha (2008): Another album released with Kudai.
- Grandes Éxitos (2010): A "Greatest Hits" album with Kudai.
See also
In Spanish: Gabriela Villalba para niños
- Kiruba
- Kudai
- Popstars
