Ruth Karina opens her heart: she grew up in poverty, she was clinically dead, when she reached the top, her current drama and more

Christian Yaipen (Lima, 1994) I was 5 years old when I saw Ruth Karina (Pucallpa, 1973), then 24, as a beautiful, innocent and unattainable love. “It was my platonic love”, assured the vocalist of Grupo 5, a few days ago, during an award ceremony at the National Society of Music Interpreters and Performers (Soniem Peru). “When my dad took me to a concert of his, we took a photo that I still have. I keep it in my album”, he said, excited.

From New Jersey, the singer who generated that idyllic feeling in one of the most beloved representatives of Peruvian cumbia, tells us about the closeness she had with the Yaipén family, her childhood, her family life and musical history.

“CEvery time I went up north, Christian’s dad, who was also a fan of mine, would invite us to his house. He had a small recording room. We have shared the stage many times and when he passed away I sang in his land, which was massive. I had a great affinity with that family, but I never imagined that that boy who got on stage and danced to the rhythm of ‘Dance with me’, was in love with me.”, commented the artist from Pucallpina.

The best moment

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the popularity of Ruth Karina Armas Ríos increased considerably. Her presentations, especially those she did with Euforia, were massive. Her fans crowded the exteriors of the hotels where she stayed, and the most daring-she remembers-proposed love with expensive presents.

“I couldn’t go out to eat, much less go for a walk. The fans were everywhere. It was crazy.”

“It was an impressive thing. She couldn’t go out to eat, much less go for a walk. The fans were everywhere. It was crazy. I will not deny that they made proposals to me, they sent me presents. Many people came with things, with money, with jewelry. On TV channels I also fell in love. I’m not going to name names, but I never agreed to a love claim because I had a husband. I am married, ”she emphasizes.

The interpreter from Pucallpa married very young, at the age of 17, with the former police officer Rolando Ozambela, who is currently being held in the Castro Castro prison -according to Karina- serving a sentence he did not commit. The couple has a son and remains together despite the fact that the relationship stumbled more than once.

“I thank God that he gives me strength to continue because it is not easy. Thanks to him I can now smile sincerely because before, I must confess, I only smiled for the camera. I was very sad, I couldn’t find comfort, until God helped me pass the waves of that rough sea”, he highlights.

Karina’s son is called Jonathan Rolando. From a very young age, he was involved in the world of music. Following the artistic legacy of his mother, he became a DJ and sound engineer. “Now we work together. It is wonderful. He has given me two amazing grandchildren. I am granny. I’m happy”, points out the singer, proudly.

artistic beginnings

Before coming to Euforia, the artist was part of the groups Eros, Fuego, Láser, among others. She then launched a solo career with great success. Her songs “Sangre caliente”, “Baila conmigo”, “Lloras por mí” and “Menéalo” led the radio rankings in the 2000s.

“No one ever gave me anything. I achieved everything with effort, perseverance and a lot of work. I come from a dysfunctional family, humble, with economic deprivations, but very united. Since we didn’t have a radio or television at home, I watched the neighbor’s television from his window. He loved to dance and sing. I always wanted to be a singer, but I studied initial education to please my mom, who saw music as a fun activity.”, he highlights.

“I became an artist, thanks to the fact that I did not stay with my arms crossed. When I participated in singing contests, they began to call me from different groups. But it was with Euforia that I became popular. My life changed completely. My image became a determining factor and I made wrong decisions“, remember.

At the edge of the abyss

At that time, Ruth Karina, who was obsessed with maintaining a slim figure, fell into the clutches of bulimia. But it wasn’t until 2000 that she almost lost her life due to alleged medical negligence during a liposuction operation.

“I had a lipo to accentuate my waist, although someone said that I had a nose job and I don’t know what else. But they exceeded the anesthesia and I was clinically dead. I was in a coma for three days. The doctor told me that I had three options: remain a vegetable and not wake up, be sick in the head, or simply die. I woke up on the third day and I was not coordinating my ideas well. He spoke incoherently. Thank God, on the fourth day I improved and I had no sequelae, ”he highlights.

clashes

Ana Kohler pointed out that she would not record with Ruth Karina because she is not at the same musical level. “You can’t with someone who is stuck,” she explained. Both were at different times in Euforia and each one interpreted the same themes, but with her own style. Given this, the Pucallpina artist made it clear that her style has never been to fight with anyone and she highlighted the good professional moment she is experiencing.

“She said she wouldn’t record with me because she’s an artist because she’s putting out hit songs, while I’m not. How can she rant about my job. If so, she would have no contracts. I am currently on tour in the United States, and from here we are going to Canada. Thank God I don’t lack work”, he stressed.