{"id":317440,"date":"2025-01-30T14:08:07","date_gmt":"2025-01-30T19:08:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oncubanews.com\/en\/?p=317440"},"modified":"2025-01-30T14:08:07","modified_gmt":"2025-01-30T19:08:07","slug":"aiona-santana-singer-recording-in-cuba-was-a-party","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oncubanews.com\/en\/culture\/aiona-santana-singer-recording-in-cuba-was-a-party\/","title":{"rendered":"Aiona Santana, singer: \u201cRecording in Cuba was a party\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

Several international artists have wanted to use Cuba as a setting for their music videos. The reasons vary, from the island\u2019s climate and landscapes, to the candor and flavor of its people. The Venezuelan-Canadian Aiona Santana is one of those figures. She recently told <\/span>OnCuba<\/b> about her experience making \u201cLa Santa,\u201d a video clip directed by Freddy Loons, with which she won the Latin Award (Canada) in 2023.<\/span><\/p>\n

With more than 400,000 views on YouTube since its release in 2023, <\/b>\u201cLa Santa\u201d<\/b><\/a> is still one of your most popular songs. How did the idea for the song come about?<\/b><\/p>\n

Society expects women to be and behave in a certain way. That premise was my inspiration. The lyrics of the song try to question it: a woman can be a saint, a devil, big, small, professional, a singer, whatever she wants; they can\u2019t impose stereotypes on us and treat us as one thing. We are versatile.<\/span><\/p>\n

With the song I wanted to show all those facets that women can have. Personally, many people have tried to limit me. I have had to tell them that I can be more than what they think. \u201cLa Santa\u201d is inspired by those people who always saw me that way, as a saint. I can be whatever I want.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Aiona
Aiona confesses that in \u201cLa Santa,\u201d a video clip directed by Freddy Loons, both the makeup and the wardrobe were related to her personality and what she wanted to convey. Photo: Taken from the singer\u2019s Instagram profile.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The lyrics seek to empower anyone who is going through a bad patch.<\/b><\/p>\n

As women, we should not let ourselves be limited. We are very powerful. What the song seeks is that: to empower people. Several people have told me that when they feel bad they put on \u201cLa Santa\u201d and they get inspired, especially women who are going through sad times. When they listen to the song, they remember who they are. That is what I want, to inspire those women, to motivate them.<\/span><\/p>\n

The video clip was made in Cuba, directed by Freddy Loons. Why this choice?<\/b><\/p>\n

I chose Cuba because I love it, and also because Freddy was there. I was looking for a professional who could create something unique, and, in addition, I wanted to support Latin talent. I live in Canada, but that doesn\u2019t mean I have to make my videos here, especially since what I do is Latin music.<\/span><\/p>\n

I had been following Freddy\u2019s work for a long time and I loved it. I knew artists who had recorded with him and they had spoken well of his work. We had been exchanging ideas about the project for a while. Since he was in Cuba, we organized everything and I went there to record.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Aiona
Aiona Santana and Freddy Loons during the recording of \u201cLa Santa\u201d in a Cuban studio. Photo: Taken from the singer\u2019s Instagram profile.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

How did you meet?<\/b><\/p>\n

I met him listening to music and watching videos on YouTube. I follow many Cuban artists. While watching his videos I realized that the director I wanted was Freddy. I liked the colors, the scenery. I felt that there was potential and talent to highlight what I wanted with \u201cLa Santa.\u201d When we started talking about the project, he got excited. He overflowed with ideas, inspiration and creativity. When I arrived in Cuba and saw what he had set up on the set, I went crazy. My manager has known Freddy for a long time, so I also contacted him.<\/span><\/p>\n

We started filming in the middle of the pandemic, after spending about ten months chatting via WhatsApp text messages and video calls; it was impossible to travel. I met him in person when I arrived in Cuba. I had expectations and at the same time fear. I told myself: \u201cHe may be a scammer, or he may not make the video I expect, but I\u2019m already in it headfirst and I have to do it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In Cuba I realized that what my heart was telling me was right; I had made the right decision.<\/span><\/p>\n

The filming lasted 24 hours, but the result that everyone expected was achieved.<\/b><\/p>\n

Before filming, I rehearsed with the dancers, who were also Cuban, and the choreographer. Everyone was very nice, they made me feel very comfortable, very much like myself. They captured my essence in the makeup and the set design. I achieved everything I expected from this video. It was one of the most beautiful things in my life. Everyone treated me like a professional and that made me feel at home. I will never forget the talent, creativity and friendliness of the Cuban people. We had a great time; it was a party. We would dance and sing between the sets. It was a brutal experience.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Part
Part of the work team that participated in the filming of the Venezuelan-Canadian artist\u2019s clip. Photo: Taken from the singer\u2019s Instagram profile.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What was the most complex scene in the video?<\/b><\/p>\n

There were two. The first is the scene in which I appear with a pink umbrella on an island. It was done in 3D, with special effects. During the recording, what was behind me was a green screen. I couldn\u2019t touch some things, I had to limit myself to a certain space and at the same time dance, express myself. Editing the scene was also complicated.<\/span><\/p>\n

The second is the shot in which we come out with the planet behind us. The set is white and I appear in a red suit. It\u2019s one of my favorite scenes, but performing the choreography was difficult. There was a little hole in the floor. I had heels on. I couldn\u2019t fall or look down. I danced with stress. I thought: \u201cI can\u2019t step there because I\u2019ll fall, I might break a leg or who knows.\u201d In the end everything turned out perfect.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Aiona confesses that, in \u201cLa Santa,\u201d a video clip directed by Freddy Loons, both the makeup and the costume were related to her personality and what she wanted to convey. Photo: Taken from the singer\u2019s Instagram profile.<\/span><\/p>\n

The song and the video clip won the award for Best Music Video at the Latin Awards in Canada, in 2023.<\/b><\/p>\n

I was nominated in several of the categories. I would say: \u201cIf I win in the Best Music Video category, people in Cuba will feel good.\u201d The team was about 50 people. They made sure everything was perfect; they were attentive to every detail.<\/span><\/p>\n

We felt that the award was for everyone, and I loved sharing it with people I love, who I have so much respect for, professionals in this industry who respect me and who are my family. After having worked with Freddy and his wife, we became family, we are very good friends.<\/span><\/p>\n

I was happy that Cuban talent was recognized, as well as that of my team and mine.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"The
The young singer Aiona Santana decided to shoot a music video in Cuba. Photo: Taken from the singer\u2019s Instagram profile.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In these types of events, we never know what to expect and, although the video was very good, I didn\u2019t think I would win. When they said my name, I went crazy, especially because I hadn\u2019t won in other categories, and I thought that maybe I wouldn\u2019t win in this one either.<\/span><\/p>\n

We deserved it for all the sacrifice, work, stress and love we put into that project.<\/span><\/p>\n