Ana Isabelle Performs At The NYC Dunkin' Music Lounge

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Hey, what's going on. I'mJosh Martinez inside of our Duncan Music Lounge
with our guests Anna Isabelle. Hello, Hello, Hi everybody. I'm so
excited to be here. So we'regonna perform three songs that are part of

(00:23):
my new album Meraki. It's availableeverywhere. So the first song is called
Fruta, which means fruits. Mmhmmmmmm. Love moment. Locke was care

(01:04):
ta care a karo patty kara,Patti, Yeah, made any fruit prefer
covert tis a pig to saba,don't read too so lo the fruit many

(01:32):
the fruit yeah here, yeah,yeah, okay as media plant and hardening
a mandarinas a party. You knowmy fruit Africa amel mango to pire fruit

(01:57):
are a bab sa. He isa teleobo referea but unisee some mad clat
trevidas Locke biggao that to Sabar theproby, don't tread to ego so lot

(02:20):
the fruit any the fruit, Yeah, and it is a in you any
fruit referrida, but we the nisis some mad cleat trivida the lock every

(02:46):
big amo that to Sabur the proby, don't dread to ego A lot of
fruit, any of the fruit.Book to get the red with a Bassaoria
Apple, to pull pet to wood, don't come one pajam book the red

(03:13):
yours Bisaoria Apple to pool, gettoo, don't come and pack m me
proud perida. But this is someMela trevida, pig poko to sabor appropriately.

(03:36):
You don't dress to be out solthe fruit any fruit Yeah yeah,
yeah yeah, thanky thanky. Sothese songs compared fruits with eating somebody.

(04:04):
So if you want, you know, to be sexy with the person that
you like and that you love,just go ahead and downloa. So this
next song is called and I wroteit thinking of the thinking about the deep
love I have for my puppy.Her name is Sophia, and she's the

(04:29):
best company that I've ever had.But you can also dedicate this one to
anyone that you love. In mycase, is for Sophia sim pre ponti.

(05:04):
Well free you make la siam preponti. Yeah, I get that
man nobot like Arma trosma las manajthe you know me every day you get

(05:36):
it. La ganad la momento comnimacome John the father, medio la siertos

(06:14):
look at cambiao, didn't there onmegos get it to Ma nobo, Come
on, David Mosell, Mada karmadmontrosi toda las and mina you did know

(06:38):
me every day Kata kambasa meg mala ganda caraman Norman every day again the

(07:17):
kammasa mea bing apell circum la gandaing apella's head dig a pell sircum me

(07:45):
like thank him. So in Englishthat means with you, I can be
whoever I want, So whoever makesyou feel that way, just dedicate this

(08:07):
song. Okay, this last song, it's called Hey, and it's also
in my new agum Meragie that isavailable available everywhere. And it's a very
special song to me because it helpedme heal from a heartbreak. So who
else is heartbroken? Here? Youguys at home? Yeah, I can

(08:33):
relate, So let's sing this song. Hey. It was also nominated as
one of the best Songs of theYear in Premius Lnuestro at Univision. So
yeah, it's a really special songin this stuppuller Hey Oku second mevole see

(09:07):
caro verla salida to requerovoye conde vlaferiti erdarity for Dwabla Premia, don't know
where waveritys Lovida, the millwere Erulatuya, the communustra Ruda, the perianal

(09:48):
Como Young camecor these stunts? Ohcarero ring pooramposkisimos hey request Okay you're no

(10:13):
check on colam Yeah, okay,you're based on no chronic damo, no
lopen some more Cassinia lamo, nohindre gamo as a mocha corsas. You
know when you're not look amos onevega lamenting plura mean pet dwell, mister

(10:43):
Young, get the cream, Paularockemysa jock. Noah, come with the
road. The Pervian you give big, Lord the stomp o, the o

(11:13):
yours dor the d me you givebig for these stumps? Who can what

(11:35):
is imp thick? Yeah? Hyya? Don in name? You give

(12:13):
me all the stunts? Thank you, David in the house. Wait,

(12:46):
he has to say his last name. You see why I didn't say it
like Camura. Yes, I gotit right. One more time. Let's
show some love to Anna Isabella.So, by the way, I am
totally biased towards my fellow Puerto Ricans. Yes, we out here. That

(13:09):
last song that you performed. Let'stalk about that a little bit, because
you could feel the pain even ifyou don't know Spanish and you're in the
room, like you kind of feltthat pain, especially on the run in
the end, if you don't mindjust talking about that song a little bit,
and how like the idea of thatsong came about. Yeah, it
was a really dark moment for mebecause I was, you know, deeply

(13:31):
in love and I thought he wasthe right guy, and for some reason,
you know, he got another womanpregnant. Yeah, and uh,
yeah, it was It was astrange thing because he wasn't unfaithful actually,

(13:52):
because we had a story. Webroke up and then we started talking again.
He was thinking go but he alreadyslept with a few ladies who were
on the way. No, wehad like a story like friends that are
getting to know each other, andwe were friends for years and then when

(14:15):
we started dating. I don't thinkthat he was unfaithful. I just think
like the repercussion of what or ofhis single life came at the wrong time.
But for him it was a blessing, right, But to me it
was really painful because we were liketalking finally like, okay, let's do

(14:35):
this, let's try this. Likeformally, it was like two months that
we were like needly honeymoon time honeymoon, I mean, like you know,
in Lelaland. And then yeah,he got the news that he was going
to be a dad, and itwas like, Okay, I don't think

(14:56):
I can't, but I gotta.I gotta give you though, because like
to realize immediately that you can't dothat, it's actually really big because a
lot of people would try to notbe the bad guy yeah and be like
all right, I'll try to maybeI could be a step mom or maybe
I could I could try to workthis out. So like that's actually really
bold of you to be like,yo, I can't do this. It's
okay that I can't do this andI ain't doing this. Yeah, but

(15:16):
he he also wanted to be adad, so I think it was fair,
you know, for him to trythat, you know, that whole
experience as is, you know,and be with the mom and even if
he's hard went somewhere else at thatmoment, I'm sure, like you know
whatever, But yeah, I decidedto leave the relationship. And that's why

(15:37):
this song says, I want to. I want to take a toast for
you and for us and just saythank you for the great feelings that you
made me feel, and I'm goingto let you go. And you know,
this happens often in our lives,like we for some reasons, like
the destiny is something different that wehad planned so and we gotta we gotta

(16:03):
learn how to deal with that.But yeah, it was dark for me.
I was really sad for a while, and this song, it was
it was like everything I needed todo. Literally, like when I wrote
it with other three friends in Miami, it was like boom boo boo boo
boo boo boo boo boom. Ilet it all out. And then I

(16:23):
sang it at the studio three timesNonStop like I just did here, and
it felt like something so heavy leftmy heart immediately. So yeah, I
think maybe that's why it's been soimportant to me and for the audience as
well. Did you find it hardto put that song together or was it

(16:47):
easy because it was raw emotions?I think it was. Well, it
was hard to open up with myfriends and say like I wanna I want
to write about this and this happenedto me and they were like, what
what an asshole? So nobody knewthat. So we'll get back to the
answer. So just backtrack really quickly. So people just thought, yeah,

(17:07):
broke up and just broke up.They didn't know the reason you guys broke
up. Yeah, it's just thatit was a relationship that wasn't like open
to everybody, like we were justgetting to We were very private about it
and we were just like spending timetogether and it felt really nice and we
were like falling in love and thenboom, this happened. But he was

(17:30):
my friend and someone that I knew, and we had moments years like years
that we wanted to finally have anopportunity. So that's why this time was
so important for us, because itwas like, oh, you're finally like
available emotionally to do this, andI'm like, yeah, and I am
finally available to do this. Let'stry it. Oh my god, so

(17:52):
exciting. And then we started datingand that's when this happened. So not
all I didn't want to share itwith a lot of people, not even
the dating or the what happened.Yeah, So was it easier for you
to write that song? More difficultin that session? And while I was
in the session, it was easy. It was it was actually what I

(18:15):
needed. It was like venting,and I'm like, huh, I feel
lighter now. And while we'll juststay on a heavy topic. Your album,
what is it called again? Pronounceit aki? Now? I looked.
I looked at it, and Iwas like, I don't think this
is Spanish dog, No, it'sit's it's a Greek word. Yeah.

(18:37):
I figured that out when I googledit because I was like, Puerto Ricans,
we have the worst Spanish ever.By the way, I don't know
if you know, growing up Ithought roof was rueful. It's not the
bus, it's actually otto boos.But I grew up thinking it was wa
oh my god, yeah, nota thing. So I thought maybe because
you're Puerto Rican, I thought maybethis was like something also, like kind

(19:00):
of a slang word that Puerto Ricansmight use. But no, now,
why did you choose this Greek titlefor the album? Wow? This is
another like deep and sad story.So my best friend from my whole life,
his name is Tian Fraguada. Hestudied with me in high school,
like we went to Miami together.We were roommates, we study acting together.

(19:22):
He was like my write or dieand I would always go to him
to ask him creative stuff because hewas so amazing at, you know,
new ideas and concepts and everything.He was always with me. He would
have been here probably, so Itexted him. I'm like, Hey,
I'm stuck. I need ideas forthe name of my album. I don't

(19:45):
know why I'm not inspired today.Can you help me because the label is
like putting my pressure. I needto like give them a name today.
And he was like, oh,give me ten minutes. So this is
all what's happening, you know,And then he came back and he said
like, okay, I have thesethree words for you. So he went
online and he looked for the threedifferent words from different languages, and he

(20:07):
offered me meraki and I'm like,what's the meaning He's sending me the meaning?
And I'm like, oh, putyour whole self in what you're doing,
like leaving your soul and putting yourheart and soul in everything. And
that's that's the description of who Iam and how I like to approach projects
in my life. But what's sadabout this is like that was the last

(20:30):
conversation I have with my best friendbecause a week after he passed away unexpectedly.
So when I gave a few names, you some ideas that I had,
some idea the team had, andthen I gave Meraki, which was
my top choice of his ideas.But then when he passed away the week

(20:52):
after, I talked to the labeland I'm like, it has to be
Meraki, like even like I'm talkingabout it and I have goosebumps, like
he has to be Medaki. It'sthe last conversation I have with my best
friend. I need to do thisas a tribute to him. And you
know the intro of the album ifyou check it out, I use some
of the voice notes, the lastvoice notes we had talking about this to

(21:19):
also like have distribute for him tobe also audible for the people to know
at least his voice. He wasa very talented actor and dancer from Puerto
Rico, and I feel like henever reached, you know, that level
level that he wanted. So Ithink he lives now in me and he's

(21:41):
making me live my life med Aki, you know, leaving my heart and
soul in everything that I do.Now when it comes to performing, you
obviously give it your all. Wesaw that during especially during the last song,
but also on stage. You've beenin musicals, You've done the Broadway
thing, You've been in movies aswell. What has been your favorite musical

(22:02):
to perform on and why? Ohwow, it's that's really hard to answer
because I played Eva peron A deVita and oh my god, I love
I love that musical. But Ihave to say West Side Story because you
know, it's one of the fewAmerican classics that you know, have summer

(22:26):
representation of Latinos and my people.And I've also had the opportunity to work
on this musical in different stages inGothrie Theater in Minneapolis, in Puerto Rico
as a tribute to Rita Moreno,which was which is one of my role
models, and also with Steven Spielbergin the remake of the of the classics.

(22:49):
So yeah, if I have topick, I will say West Side
Story. Do you remember the phonecall you got when you were told you
were casted for the movie the remakemovie? Yes? Yeah, where were
you and what was that feeling?Like? I was landing in Puerto Rico
for Thanksgiving weekend and then my formermanager at that moment, Caroline Anthony.

(23:11):
She called me and she said like, hey, are you okay? Are
you where are you? And I'mlanding in Puerto Rico? Is everything alright?
She's like, do you want towork with mister Steven Spielberg? And
I'm like what And she's like,you booked the job? And I'm like,
oh my god. You know,I started crying and then are you
still are you still on the planeor in the airport walking? I was

(23:33):
leaving the plane like I was likeliterally like you know, luggage and backpack
and I'm like, hey, what'sgoing on? Is everything all right?
And she's like, yeah, youwant to work with Steven Spoop and I'm
like what, somebody's a well.I was behind there like this girl needs
to walk. I'm trying to getoff this plane. So I started crying,
like I was shocked first, butthen I think I started crying as

(23:56):
soon as I saw my mom andmy dad that were picking me up at
the airport. It was very special. So with the Puerto Rican culture,
like family is so important. AndI always talk about performances, like when
you after you get off the stage, you're feeling the highest you could feel,
but naturally you got to come down. So it feels like a downer,
but in reality you're getting back toan even keel from a mental health

(24:17):
standpoint. Is family your go towhen it comes to kind of getting back
on a mental health track? Onehundred percent? Yeah, my family.
I have different different, uh peoplein my family that I go to to
different reasons because we have like ninetyseven cousins and a hundred yea exactly,

(24:37):
Like my mom is my best friend, but my dad it's like the person
I go to for all professional stuff, like if I'm going to ask questions
about the career stuff like that,I usually go to my dad. But
if I'm going to ask stuff aboutlove or emotional intelligence or like life,
it's my mom. Or if Iwant to vent and I want to have

(24:57):
someone you know that it's always onmy team is my mom usually, but
my aunts are great, and Ialso have like three amazing best friends that
they are like my family as well. So definitely family is everything to me.
So aside from the new album thatjust recently dropped, what can we
expect from You for the rest oftwenty twenty four and beyond well twenty twenty

(25:21):
four has been amazing so far.I'm currently shooting a movie in Puerto Rico
called Espinale, which is about thelife of Mispinale. He's an Olympic wrestler.
He won the I think it's asilver medal. I also have another
movie coming out that I have.I don't like to think of small roles

(25:42):
because I feel like every role isit's like a stepping stone in my career.
But I have this role of Marieto Lorenz She is the She was
the lover of Fidel Castro, theCuban president, and she tried to kill
him. She was the person thattried to kill him and she couldn't and

(26:04):
the Fats, you know, werethe ones that asked her to do that.
So anyway, it's the movie iscalled Killing Castro and he's coming out
in September with al Pacino, CholoMadrilena let Me Oh Diego. Bonetta is
playing Fidel Castro incredibly well, soyeah, that's coming. That's exciting.

(26:29):
I have no idea about that.Killing Castro, by the way, dope
title and yeah, and the directorhis name is if Rivera and he's a
Puerto Rican director. He was borna Borno race here in New York.
So he's incredible, and you know, I can't wait for that to come
out. I have more promo forthe album. I have another movie called
Los Mechanicos that's a Puerto Rican filmcoming out as well in September. I

(26:55):
have a few really cool projects.Apparently she has no free time. That's
something I'm trying to work on now, like have a more balanced life.
Yeah, final question before you go. If you had one hour to sit
in a duncan with any one person, dead or alive, who are you
going to kick it with in aduncin? In a duncan? It has

(27:18):
to be my mom because she lovesDunkin Donuts. You mean my mom.
It's a huge fan. So ifI don't sit with my mom in Dunkin
Donuts, like, she's probably likeright now so jealous that she's not here,
And wait until she sees the donutsthat has my name on it,
Like I have to find a wayof like saving one of those to my
mom because she is the donuts queen, Like she loves her donut with coffee.

(27:44):
Whenever she comes here to visit,she's like, take me to Dunkin
Donnut and I'm like, Mom,can we eat something else? That is
that she loves donuts, so ithas to be my mom one more time.
Much appreciate it.