"Mexico's longest-running musical receives a playful television reworking in 'Mentiras, La Serie'"
In June, "Mentiras, La Serie" premiered on Amazon Prime, bringing a unique blend of melodrama, comedy, and nostalgia to viewers. Based on the jukebox musical "Mentiras, el Musical," the series is set in the 1980s and features more than 30 iconic Spanish-language pop hits from the era.
At the heart of the story lies a deadly love quadrangle, with Belinda, a childhood icon, starring as Daniela. Mariana Treviño, who originated Lupita on stage, also appears in the series.
The series has generated significant online buzz, with Belinda's numbers and several campy scenes going viral on TikTok and X (formerly Twitter). The mash-up of "Él Me Mintió / Mentiras Mentiras" by Belinda even reached No. 1 on Spotify's Viral 50 Global chart.
The music rights negotiations for "Mentiras, La Serie" were prolonged due to high licensing costs, leading to the removal of several songs from the soundtrack to reduce expenses. Despite this, the soundtrack accumulated over 2.4 million streams in just days, with the "Mentiras" album debuting at No. 6 on Spotify's Top Albums Debut Global list.
Rocio, a Mexican-American writer, found the series fun, layered, and at times poignant, leaving her curious to see the musical live. Rocio, who was born and raised in a small village in Durango and moved to Chicago at age 12, appreciates the series' bicultural perspective.
Luis Gerardo Méndez played a character named Emmanuel and served as executive producer for the series. The series is described as bold, theatrical, and not afraid to lean into excess, offering a mix of camp and commentary that reflects on love, lies, and the roles women were boxed into during a more conservative Mexico.
Belinda's streams increased by 170%, Daniela Romo's by 170%, Amanda Miguel's by 94%, and Yuri's by 75% due to the series. These numbers highlight the impact "Mentiras, La Serie" has had on reviving the careers of these iconic artists and introducing their music to a new generation.
Rocio is the founder of CDMX IYKYK, a newsletter for expats, digital nomads, and the Mexican diaspora, and Life of Leisure, a women's wellness and spiritual community. Her appreciation for "Mentiras, La Serie" adds to the growing list of reasons why this series is a must-watch for anyone who loves music, drama, and a good dose of nostalgia.
