Jacqie Rivera is stepping into her own light. The second daughter of late music legend Jenni Rivera releases her first studio album, En Otra Vida (In Another Life), this Friday—a deeply personal project arriving at a crossroads in her life. Between a public divorce, a shifting family dynamic, and the lingering weight of her mother's legacy, Jacqie is using music to heal, redefine herself, and connect with others walking similar paths.
"Music has always been in my vision board," Rivera told The Latin Times. "It's where I started, singing in church. I never really thought I'd make a career out of it, but one day I asked myself, 'If God gave me this gift, what am I doing with it?' That's when I decided to record my album."
A Sound That's All Her Own
Rivera's 'En Otra Vida' is a blend of musical influences, woven together by vulnerability and authenticity. "It took time to choose the genre because I love all kinds of music. I'm a rocker—I love rock—but I also wanted to honor our roots, which are regional," she said. "And I've always loved the accordion."
The result is a fusion of sounds: a mix of regional Mexican music and alternative elements that feel both classic and fresh. "A lot of people wanted to put me in banda or mariachi, but I just couldn't find myself there," Rivera shared. "I'm glad people are getting the vibe now. That makes me really happy."
While she co-wrote a couple of tracks, including the title song 'En Otra Vida,' Rivera says she found power in interpreting songs presented to her—particularly heartbreak ballads. "I wasn't even trying, but most of the songs ended up being about breakups. I think it's something a lot of us go through," she said. "I tried to feel each song. My mom always said, 'What comes from the heart reaches the heart.'"
The album includes 12 tracks, six of which have already been released as singles. The remaining six, she says, offer more stories, more emotion, and more of herself. Her only featured collaboration is with her uncle, Lupillo Rivera, though she hinted at several dream collabs she's saving for her next Spanish-language album.
Living in Her Truth, Not in Her Mother's Shadow
As the daughter of an icon, Jacqie acknowledges the immense pressure that came with the Rivera name. "My mom left a huge space in this industry, but it's not my job to fill it," she said. "She was Jenni. I'm Jacqie. I was born with my own purpose."
That journey of self-discovery has also meant strengthening her bond with her sister, singer Chiquis Rivera. "We had to be on the same page," Jacqie said. "People will compare us, but we support each other. We believe in each other. There's enough space for both of us."
Rivera also credits her role as executor of her mother's estate for helping her grow, even if she didn't initially feel prepared for it. "At first, I doubted myself. But now I believe everything happens for a reason. I feel like my mom put me in that position so I could grow."
A Time of Transition and Healing
The release of En Otra Vida comes at an emotional time. Rivera is in the middle of a divorce from Mike Campos, her husband of 12 years. "This is a moment of reinventing myself," she said. "I'm finding who I am, and I hope my music inspires others to do the same. I want to write a love song someday. I really do. Maybe one day."
She's also focusing on her children's emotional well-being as they adjust to major changes—including the recent release of her father, José Trinidad Marín, from prison after serving 18 years for the sexual abuse of Jacqie, her sister Chiquis, and their aunt Rosie.
"I haven't seen him. I haven't talked to him much," Rivera said carefully. "It's something I want to keep private. I wish him the best. I just want to focus on the emotional and mental health of my kids, myself, and the goals I have."
When asked about her former brother-in-law, music executive Ángel del Villar—currently facing federal charges for business dealings linked to a banned Mexican artist—Rivera kept her distance. "I remember very little. He was my sister's partner, but I have too many things in my own life to figure out to get involved or have an opinion," she said. "I just hope everything turns out the way it's supposed to."
Looking Ahead with Faith and Intention
Jacqie Rivera has already overcome more than many experience in a lifetime. And while En Otra Vida is a musical debut, it's also a personal rebirth. "Christian music is definitely still in my vision board," she revealed. "It's where I started, and I know I'll come back to it when the time is right."
In a career shaped by legacy, heartbreak, healing, and transformation, Rivera is ready to define her own path—on her terms. "Not everyone is going to be my fan. And that's OK," she said. "I'll reach the people I'm meant to reach."
And she already has.
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