Paulina Rubio: 1971—: Singer, Actress - Critics Were Again Unimpressed

Rubio's Border Girl debuted on June 18, 2002, and hit number 11 on the U.S. pop album charts. In her native Mexico, Rubio's first English-language CD made its debut in the number-one position. Although the public was as clearly taken with Rubio in English as they had been with her in native Spanish, the critics predictably were less kind. Of the "Golden Girl's" attempt to establish herself as a singer in the United States, Associated Press music writer Nekesa Mumbi Moody observed, "Unfortunately, Rubio hasn't found her identity yet, as she tries to appeal to as many genres as possible over 16 tracks. She's Britney Spears on one song, J. Lo on another, and Faith Hill on the next. That approach might have worked if the songs weren't so mediocre—and Rubio's slight voice so generic." Equally unkind was the reviewer for E! Online, who wrote: "This girl knows how to make an impression. The Latin sensation not only made her first appearance on the cover of Spanish Rolling Stone buck naked, but she also reveals a good deal of flesh on her debut disc's cover. Too bad this Border Girl's crossover attempt lands somewhere between Ricky Martin-lame and absolutely annoying."

Never one to be unduly discouraged by bad reviews, Rubio toured during the fall of 2002 in support of Border Girl. She also put out another album in 2003 called Canta Como. Away from the concert stage and recording studio, the singer maintains homes in Los Angeles, Mexico City, and Miami. She also owns a Miami Beach restaurant called L'Entrecote de Paris. Unmarried, Rubio has had a long-running romance with Spanish-born architect Ricardo Bofill Maggiora. As to what the future holds, Rubio leaves little doubt. She said on her official website, "I grew up doing concerts and I'm going to die doing concerts all over the world. That's what I'm here for and what I believe in."