Born María Guadalupe Araujo Yong, she adopted the name Ana Gabriel in 1979, as directed by her manager at the time. · In 1987, Gabriel represented Mexico at the OTI singing competition, performing “Ay Amor,” which became her first major hit when it topped the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart. · Her albums Tierra de Nadie and Quién Como Tú both hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Pop chart, making her an international star. · Gabriel has collaborated with legendary artists Plácido Domingo, Jon Secada, Juan Gabriel, Vicki Carr, and Vicente Fernández. · Aside from music, she has dabbled in acting, appearing in the TV series Malcolm in the Middle, Wings, Melrose Place, and NYPD Blue. · Gabriel’s many accolades include nominations for a Grammy, four Latin Grammys, and 30 Lo Nuestro Awards—of which she won 13, including a Lifetime Achievement Award. · In 2016, she publicly came out as a lesbian and has since been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ causes.