Miami’s special gift for Camila Cabello changes everything

Singer-songwriter Camila Cabello was honored with the keys to the city of Miami during the traditional Three Kings Parade on Calle Ocho this past Sunday. Cabello, who is of Cuban and Mexican heritage, was recognized for her “cultural impact, artistic achievements, and her long-standing connection to the city she considers home,”according to a city statement.

“Cabello’s story reflects the lived experience of many families in South Florida. With Cuban and Mexican roots, her multicultural background has shaped both her identity and her art, infusing her music with authenticity, emotional depth, and a strong sense of community, heritage, and belonging,” said the office of Miami District 4 commissioner Ralph Rosado. The statement highlighted how those roots have become a defining part of her creative voice.

Cabello left her home in Havana at the age of five. Alongside her parents, she migrated to the United States and settled in West Kendall, where her music career began to take shape. In 2012, she auditioned for the reality show The X Factorand, although initially eliminated as a solo act, was grouped with other contestants to form LYLAS, later renamed Fifth Harmony.

In 2016, she made the leap as a solo artist with the single Crying in the Club. Her music quickly stood out for its ability to blend Latin influences with contemporary pop, eventually topping the charts with songs such as Havana and Señorita.

“This is probably one of my favorite moments of my career. It feels like a moment that closes a circle for me,” the singer said, adding that one of the things she misses most about her hometown is its people. The comment underscored the emotional weight of the recognition.

She also used her speech to send a message to the immigrant community. “I just want to thank the kind strangers and the immigrant community who helped my parents find work when they arrived here without family. You became the family we built along the way.”

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