María Conchita Alonso | |
|---|---|
 Alonso in 2011 | |
| Born | María Concepción Alonso Bustillo (1955-06-29)June 29, 1955 (age 70) Cienfuegos, Cuba |
| Citizenship |
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| Occupations |
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| Relatives | Antonella Alonso (niece)[1][2] |
| Beauty pageant titleholder | |
| Title | Miss World Venezuela 1975 |
| Years active | 1971–present |
| Major competition(s) | Miss World Venezuela 1975 (Winner) Miss World 1975 (Top 7) |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
Musical artist | |
María Concepción Alonso Bustillo (born June 29, 1955),[3] known professionally asMaría Conchita Alonso, is a Cuban-born Venezuelan-American actress and singer whose career spans film, television, music, and theater. She gained international recognition for her role as Amber Mendez in the 1987 filmThe Running Man, and was nominated for theIndependent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead for her performance inCaught (1996). As a recording artist, she has received several gold and platinum albums and threeGrammy Award nominations.
Alonso was one of the first Latin American entertainers to achieve mainstream success in both Spanish- and English-language media. In 1995, she became the first Latin American actress not born in the United States to star in aBroadway musical, playing Aurora inKiss of the Spider Woman. Before her entertainment career, she was a beauty pageant titleholder who represented Venezuela atMiss World 1975, placing among the top seven finalists.
Born in Cuba and raised in Venezuela, Alonso has been active in both Latin American and U.S. entertainment industries since the 1970s. In later years, she became known for her outspoken political views and public support for conservative causes in the United States.
María Conchita Alonso was born inCienfuegos, Cuba, on June 29, 1955, to Ricardo Alonso and Conchita Bustillo. Her family moved to Venezuela when she was five years old in 1962 after theCuban Revolution. She was crownedMiss Teenager World in 1971. She was runner up for Miss Venezuela in 1975, and became a top seven runner-up in theMiss World pageant later that year,[4] which was won by Puerto Rico'sWilnelia Merced.[5]
Alonso's first gold album and number one song on the charts wasLove Maniac, released in 1979 under the name Ámbar. After that followed her second number-one "The Witch" and soon after "Dangerous Rhythm". For what is considered her best known song, she was asked byGiorgio Moroder to write the lyrics in Spanish and sing "Vamos a Bailar" which he had written for the soundtrack of the filmScarface. The song instantly became a classic among Spanish speakers, despite failing to garner major attention outside ofCuba where it was recorded. Her two albums with Ámbar and her solo debut were recorded in English. Her second album,María Conchita, in 1984, made her an international singing star in the Spanish-speaking market, and garnered her first of threeGrammy Award nominations (1985, 1988, 1994).[6]
Alonso sang the United States national anthem at the FIFA UNICEF charity match on July 27, 1986, at theRose Bowl in Pasadena, California, in front of a crowd of 57,539. The game was between the “Rest of the World” and “The Americas” which featuredDiego Maradona only one month after his successful1986 World Cup win.[7][8]
Alonso made her Hollywood film debut inMoscow on the Hudson (1984) withRobin Williams, and also starred inTouch and Go (1986),Extreme Prejudice (1987),The Running Man (1987),Colors (1988) withSean Penn,Vampire's Kiss (1989),Predator 2 (1990) andThe House of the Spirits (1993).
In 1995, she became the firstLatin-born actresses to star in aBroadway show, playing Aurora inKiss of the Spider Woman.[citation needed] She later acted in the romantic comediesChasing Papi (2003) andThe Last Guy on Earth (2006).
Alonso was cast to play Lucía, the mother ofGabrielle Solis, on theABC seriesDesperate Housewives. The episode aired on February 19, 2006. She was in the Latin version,Amas de Casa Desesperadas, for Univision Network. She was a guest star in the live-action film of the comic bookEl Muerto and appeared in the filmMaterial Girls (2006).
Alonso hostedVH1's¡Viva Hollywood! on April 13, 2008, withCarlos Ponce. She portrayed Sam in the werewolf horror filmWolf Moon, directed by Dana Mennie.[9]
Alonso appeared inRob Zombie'sThe Lords of Salem, released in 2013. Her latest film, a fantasy short titledThe Secret of Joy, features her alongside fellow Venezuelan actor Carlos Antonio León, Spanish actress Laura Bayonas, and Brazilian actress Ana Carolina Da Fonseca in a story that aims to bring awareness about pediatric cancer.[citation needed]
Maria Conchita signed with management firm All Parts Move in 2023. She is currently (2025) touring extensively as part of the 'Despechadas' tour in Mexico, with solo performances and a cabaret style show called 'Sin Verguenza', which goes into her life and her ups and downs. A new 'Tropical' - a first for her - album is scheduled for release in the fall of 2025, produced by Latin Grammy winning producer Fabian Rincon, with a first single 'Acariciame Salsa' out June 27, 2025.
Alonso has often spoken in support ofLGBT rights and in appreciation of her LGBT fans, stating, "I was very much supported by the community when I first came out with my music". In a 2004 article, she compared herself toCher in terms of her connection to LGBT culture.[10]
Alonso was an outspoken critic of Cuba'sFidel Castro and Venezuelan PresidentHugo Chávez, whom she described as a "dictator"-like "Hitler"[11] and whose voters and supporters she described as "terrorists."[12] She appeared onSean Hannity'sHannity's America on May 6, 2007,Hannity & Colmes on June 1, 2007[11] andBill O'Reilly'sThe O'Reilly Factor on August 13, 2007, and March 11, 2009.
Alonso issued an "Open Letter to Sean Penn" (the two had played lovers in the 1988 movieColors) online on March 29, 2010, regarding his support of Hugo Chávez. She used a point-by-point refrain of "WHY" in her letter questioning various issues occurring in Venezuela.[13] In December 2011, she got into a heated exchange with Penn at a Los Angeles airport during which Penn called her a pig and she responded by calling Penn acommunist.[14]
In 2008, Alonso endorsed the US presidential campaign ofRepublican nomineeJohn McCain, writing:[15]
As a Latina and a new American citizen, I believe in this country and its people, and I believe that we need more than just "change." We need a leader who can bring about the right kind of change, and John McCain has the experience and judgment necessary to lead us in these uncertain times. I grew up in Cuba and Venezuela, and I am appalled thatBarack Obama apparently wants to emulate the "spread the wealth" economic policies of those countries and negotiate with their leaders.
In an August 2012Spreecast interview, Alonso stated her opposition to Obama's re-election, saying that if reelected, he would take steps to make the United States become more like Venezuela under the Chávez government.[16]
In January 2014, Alonso resigned from a San Francisco production ofThe Vagina Monologues after appearing in an advertisement for Republican candidate for GovernorTim Donnelly.[17]
Alonso is a supporter ofDonald Trump and endorsed him in the2020 presidential election.[18]
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Savana – Sesso e diamanti | Margaret Johnson | Italian B movie |
| 1979 | Solon | ||
| Estefanía | Silvana Cataldo | TV series | |
| Mabel Valdez, periodista | |||
| 1980 | Natalia de 8 a 9 | Mariana Brito | |
| 1980 | Mi hijo Gabriel | ||
| 1980 | El Esposo de Anaís | ||
| 1980 | Claudia | Claudia | |
| 1981 | Marielena | Marielena | |
| 1981 | Angelito | ||
| 1981 | Luz Marina | Luz Marina | |
| 1982 | Fantasy Island | French Girl | 1 episode |
| 1982 | Knight Rider | Marie Elena Casafranca | 1 episode; credited as Maria Conchita |
| 1983 | Nacho | Herself | TV series |
| 1984 | Moscow on the Hudson | Lucia Lombardo | |
| 1984 | Fear City | "Silver" Chavez | as Maria Conchita |
| 1986 | A Fine Mess | Claudia Pazzo | a.k.a.Blake Edwards'A Fine Mess (USA: complete title) |
| 1986 | Touch and Go | Denise DeLeon | |
| 1987 | Il cugino americano | Caterina Ammirati | a.k.a.Blood Ties (USA: TV title) |
| 1987 | Extreme Prejudice | Sarita Cisneros | |
| 1987 | The Running Man | Amber Mendez | |
| 1988 | Con el Corazón en la Mano | ||
| 1988 | Colors | Louisa Gomez | |
| 1989 | One of the Boys | Maria Conchita Navarro | 6 episodes |
| 1989 | Vampire's Kiss | Alva Restrepo | |
| 1990 | Predator 2 | LAPD Detective Leona Cantrell | |
| 1991 | Sesame Street | Herself | 1 episode |
| 1991 | Cuerpos clandestinos (TV) | Claudia | |
| 1991 | McBain | Christina Santos | |
| 1992 | Teamster Boss: The Jackie Presser Story (TV) | Carmen De La Portilla-Presser | a.k.a.Power Play: The Jackie Presser Story (UK: video title) |
| 1993 | Roosters | Chata | |
| 1993 | The House of the Spirits | Tránsito Soto | |
| 1994 | Alejandra | Alejandra Martínez | TV series |
| 1994 | Texas (TV) | Lucia | a.k.a.James A. Michener's Texas |
| 1994 | MacShayne: The Final Roll of the Dice (TV) | Cindy Evans | |
| 1996 | Caught | Betty | a.k.a.Atrapados (USA: Spanish title) |
| 1996 | For Which He Stands | Theresa Rochetti | |
| 1996 | Sudden Terror: The Hijacking of School Bus #17 | Marta Caldwell | |
| 1997 | Women: Stories of Passion | Sophia | 1 episode |
| 1997 | Chicago Hope | Emma Scull | 2 episodes |
| 1997 | Robert Altman's Gun | Marti | 1 episode |
| 1997 | Catherine's Grove | Charley Vasquez | |
| 1997 | F/X: The Series | Elena Serrano | 2 episodes |
| 1997 | Acts of Betrayal | Eva Ramirez | |
| 1998 | Exposé | Nancy Drake | a.k.a.Footsteps (Philippines: English title) (USA: working title) |
| 1998 | Blackheart | Annette | |
| 1998 | The Nanny | Concepcion Sheffield | 1 episode |
| 1998 | The Outer Limits | Marie Alexander | Episode: "The Vaccine" |
| 1998 | El Grito en el cielo | Miranda Vega | a.k.a.Shout Out (USA: festival title) |
| 1998 | My Husband's Secret Life (TV) | Toni Diaz | |
| 1999 | Touched by an Angel | Dr. Sandra Pena | 1 episode |
| 1999 | Dillinger in Paradise | Lola | |
| 2000 | Chain of Command | Vice President Gloria Valdez | |
| 2000 | Amantes de luna llena | ||
| 2000 | Knockout | Carmen Alvarado | |
| 2000 | A Vision of Murder: The Story of Donielle (TV) | Gloria | |
| 2000 | Best Actress (TV) | Maria Katarina Caldone | |
| 2000 | High Noon (TV) | Helen Ramirez | |
| 2000 | Twice in a Lifetime | Kat Lopez | 1 episode |
| 2000 | The Princess & the Barrio Boy (TV) | Minerva Rojas | a.k.a.She's in Love (UK) |
| 2001 | The Code conspiracy | Rachel | |
| 2001 | Resurrection Blvd. | Julia Hernandez | 3 episodes |
| 2001 | Birth of Babylon | Lupe Velez | |
| 2002 | Blind Heat | Adrianna Scott | |
| 2002 | Robbery Homicide Division | Claudia | 1 episode |
| 2003 | The Company You Keep | Vera | |
| 2003 | Kingpin | Ariela | TV series |
| 2003 | Heart of America | Mrs. Jones | a.k.a.Home Room (Australia) |
| 2003 | Chasing Papi | Maria | |
| 2003 | Newton's Law | ||
| 2004 | CSI: Miami | Marisela Gonzalez | 1 episode: Blood Moon |
| 2005 | English as a Second Language | Consuelo Sara | |
| 2005 | La Academia USA | Judge | |
| 2005 | Smoke | Aurora Avila | |
| 2006 | Desperate Housewives | Lucía Márquez | 1 episode |
| 2006 | Material Girls | Inez | |
| 2007 | The Dead One | Sister Rosa | |
| 2007 | The Condor (V) | Mrs. Valdez (voice) | a.k.a.Stan Lee Presents: The Condor (USA: DVD box title) |
| 2007 | Saints & Sinners | Diana Martin | 62 episodes |
| 2008 | Richard III | Queen Elizabeth | |
| 2008 | Tranced | Libra | |
| 2008 | The Art of Travel | Mrs. Layne | |
| 2008 | The Red Canvas | Maria Sanchez | |
| 2008 | Two Minutes Of Hate | Dos minutos de odio | |
| 2008 | Unauthorized Clifford | Des-Autorizado (Venezuela: wide-release title) | |
| 2009 | Maneater (miniseries) | Alejandra Alpert | Two episodes |
| 2009 | Dark Moon Rising | Sheriff Samantha "Sam" Pantoja | |
| 2009 | Spread | Ingrid | |
| 2011 | Without Men | Lucrecia | |
| 2012 | Lords of Salem | Alice Matthias | |
| 2014 | Return to Babylon | Lupe Vélez | |
| 2016 | November Rule | Ms. Luisa | |
| 2017 | Kill 'Em All | FBI Agent Sanders | |
| 2018 | Off the Menu | Cordelia Torres | |
| 2018 | El señor de los cielos | Nora Requena | |
| 2019 | ¡He matado a mi marido! | Remedios | |
| 2019 | The I-Land | Mrs. Chase | Miniseries |
| 2019 | Into the Dark | Bea | 1 episode ("Good Boy") |
| 2021 | Take Me to Tarzana | Juanita | |
| 2024 | Kill 'Em All 2 | FBI Agent Sanders |
Studio albums
| Live albums
Compilation albums
|
| Year | Song | Hot Latin Songs | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | "Suéltame" | 22 | Grandes Éxitos |
| 1987 | "Otra Mentira Más" | 24 | Mírame |
| 1988 | "Y Es Que Llegaste Tú" | 5 | |
| 1990 | "Hazme Sentir" | 24 | Hazme Sentir |
| 1991 | "A Él Lo Quiero" | 35 | |
| 1993 | "Promesas" | 20 | Imagíname |
| 2019 | "Ya No Más" | – | ¡He matado a mi marido! - Soundtrack |
| 2020 | "Llename De Ti" | – | "Llename De Ti" single |
Miss World 1975 national titleholders | |
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| International | |
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| National | |
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| People | |
| Other | |
