Peruvian music icon Milena Warthon revives Andean indigenous traditions, inspires youth with cultural pride

JOURNALIST’S NOTES

INTERVIEW SUBJECT

Milena Warthon was born in Lima on March 21, 2000. She is the daughter of an Apurimeño father and an Ancashina mother. At the age of eight, Milena participated in a school contest where she surprised everyone by performing the song “What I’ve Been Looking For” from the movie High School Musical. After this performance, she began to establish herself as a singer. In 2021, Warthon released her first song, which had a great impact and went viral on platforms such as TikTok and Spotify, reaching the top position on the list of most-played songs on Spotify in her country. In an international twist to her career, Warthon announced her participation in the Viña del Mar International Song Festival. Her song “Warmisitay” (which in Quechua means “little woman”) was chosen to represent her in this musical event. The announcement was made in December 2022, generating great expectations among her followers. In February 2023, at 22, Milena won the Silver Seagull in the Folkloric Competition of the Viña del Mar Festival. This triumph further consolidated Warthon’s name in the Peruvian music scene and projected her onto the international stage.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Despite surveys showing that more than 70 percent of Peruvians are of indigenous or mestizo descent, “choleo” remains a persistent and systematic practice that identifies Andean women and men as belonging to an inferior position in the social hierarchy—uneducated, ignorant, dirty, and only skilled in manual labor. In contrast to the choleo is the “white” person, who is both subject and object of privilege. The whiter someone is, the more privileges they hold; the more choleo someone is, the more subjugated they are. Discrimination and racism are prevalent in Peru today.

LIMA, Peru — Born in Lima to parents from Apurimac and Ancash, I grew up immersed in Andean traditions. Widespread inequality and poverty drove massive migrations from the countryside and jungle to the city. As a result, countless Peruvian migrant families in Lima, including mine, experienced discrimination, classism, and sexism.

[The Andean people are the indigenous inhabitants of the Central Andes in South America. This region includes parts of modern-day Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. The term “Andean” typically refers to those who were part of or influenced by the Inca Empire, known as Tawantinsuyu.]

Many people in our society perpetuate ideals around race and ethnicity. Along with new generations, I unknowingly absorbed the implications of those ideals. This led me to feel ashamed of my own identity. However, music empowered me to heal my relationship with my past. Through it, I reclaimed pride in what once caused me shame.

Explore more stories about Indigenous communities from across the globe at Orato World Media.

From childhood dreams to fusing pop with Andean culture: my journey from singing games to a viral music career

People often migrate from the countryside of Peru to the capital city of Lima seeking better lives and opportunities. Fearing rejection and discrimination in this deeply racist city, they set aside their ancestral, cultural heritage. Similarly, as a child, I strongly wanted to fit in, so I pretended to be someone else. Nevertheless, my family actively preserved our heritage and passed it down to me through the food, stories, legends, and anecdotes they shared.

I always dreamed of singing. As a young girl, I treated signing as a game. One of my grandmothers sang beautifully. During our gatherings, we spent afternoons singing verses from her homeland. We immersed ourselves in the words and the sound of our voices. Her deep eyes and vibrant energy pushed me to keep moving forward. She advised my mother to send me for singing lessons, and my mother followed her advice.

At 18 years old, I launched my musical project not to represent my community or deliver a message, but to find a way forward. As I matured alongside my music, I found my voice and utilized it. I began to represent the Andean woman, inspiring each person to have the courage to be herself and dream without fear or shame of her origins. The desire to become a recognized singer grew within me, even though it sometimes seemed distant or impossible. However, I persevered, studied music, and learned to play various instruments.

From viral sensation to TV stardom: embracing self and music amidst criticism

During my adolescence, I recorded a cover song, uploaded it to social media, and, to my surprise, it went viral. That moment revealed a path I could follow, and I pursued it. I explored different genres and eventually decided to fuse pop with Andean culture. My family quickly embraced this idea, which brought me immense happiness. Gradually, I immersed myself in the professional music world and began studying communication, combining both to create content across various media.

As I embarked on my musical journey, I produced my first track, “Agua de Mar.” The entire process unfolded virtually due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, which felt strange yet magical. I did not expect the song to make an impact, but I received immense appreciation, which empowered me. This experience boosted my trust in myself and my music, reaffirming my identity as both an artist and a woman.

Suddenly, my videos went viral on social media, making me well-known on TikTok. As people from various regions followed me, I received an invitation to join the television contest La Voz Peru. Initially, it felt unbelievable. Upon entering the contest, I felt a sense of magic, even though the lights, cameras, and studio environment seemed overwhelming.

On the other hand, my work with Andean Pop provoked discomfort in many people. They sent hate messages criticizing my body, identity as a woman, singing style, and Andean roots. This deeply hurt me, but as the public sent more supportive and appreciative messages, I shifted my focus away from the haters. Instead, I concentrated on myself and continued creating music. Although negative comments always exist, the abundant affection from people deeply touched, comforted, and helped me move forward.

Woman’s musical journey blends personal struggles and cultural pride into meaningful songs

With confidence, I started to write more and more, expressing my thoughts and ideas. I wanted to reveal who I am to the world. I answered my own questions, and my first album took shape. Each song became a band-aid for my wounds, enabling listeners to connect with my experiences.

One of my first songs, “Azúcar,” emerged as I sat at the piano, humming and drawing inspiration in the middle of the night. I channeled my anguish and exhaustion from childhood bullying and not fitting in. I wrote the song for the girl I was, who dared to dream amid tough circumstances. Consequently, the public embraced my song, relating it to their own lives.

Among all the songs I composed, “Warmisitay” stands out as one of the most influential. It became a public anthem. I won the Viña del Mar Festival in 2023 with this song, which I dedicated to my grandmother. The song narrates the story of a woman in a bright red skirt who falls in love with the sun. She is a beautiful, goddess-like, strong young woman. The pollera – a long skirt with thick, wide, loose, colorful, gathered fabric – symbolizes the Andean woman. At one time, my grandmother stopped wearing it to fit into a racist and classist society that descriminated against her.

The song Warmisitay aims to reach all Andean and Latin American women, empowering and connecting them through a single lyric, a cry of struggle. In the album, my grandmother tells her story in a track saying, “To be an Andean woman in Latin America, you have to have courage.” This phrase is tattooed in my heart and serves as my guide. It further revealed that music heals, comforts, and provides the light we often need to see.

From live performance to personal healing: connecting with my grandmother through music

Following my performance on television, I gave interviews, attended events, and took some trips. Naturally, I expressed my identity and story while recognizing the impact I was generating. I vividly remember my first live audience presentation. Nerves overtook me as energy coursed through my body and my heart raced. I heard the audience’s cries and saw the sea of people, posters, and magic all in one place, which brought tears to my eyes. It felt like living my dream.

My grandmother taught me an Abanquino carnival song called Puka Polleracha [red pollera]. Envisioning her, I saw her dancing in the carnival, adorned in a striking red costume. One afternoon, I began composing a song and had the incredible gift of singing it to her in person. Her sweet eyes lit up with pride as I sang. Each time I perform it, I discover something new. The song heals me and inspires me to embrace the bravery, strength, and divinity that my grandmother possesses.

[The Abanquino Carnival, celebrated in Apurimac, is known as the “happiest festival in Peru.” Declared to be the “Cultural Heritage of the Nation” on March 11, 2011, it highlights the region’s cultural significance and strengthens both regional and national identity.]

Woman performs at Viña del Mar Festival, takes home silver seagull

My career advanced rapidly until I received an invitation to participate in the Viña del Mar Festival in Chile in 2023. When I received the invitation, my legs trembled, and I almost fainted from disbelief. I knew I had to perform Warmisitay and give my all on stage. On Thursday, February 23, I flew to Chile to sing Warmisitay at the Quinta Vergara Amphitheater. As I prepared for the performance, 14 dancers joined the cast, and with the first chords playing, the choreography burst into action. Alongside six musicians, we lit up the stage.

The performance began with the line, “That little pollerita looks so pretty on you, Warmisitay.” The most exciting part for me came when everything synchronized—the dancers, the music, and the colorful lights flashing across the stage. My euphoria soared as I gave it my all, feeling electrified and entirely free. Crafted from Andean fabrics and vibrant colors, the costumes evoked our roots, culture, ancestry, and love. As the performance ended, the crowd erupted in applause and cheers.

When the judges revealed their decision, I was amazed to take home the Silver Seagull in the Folkloric Competition category. Holding the statuette, I stood on the stage, feeling like the dreamer girl I once was. Continuously, I thanked everyone through tears and smiles, overwhelmed with excitement over my achievement. Winning the award felt like flying, and all the pressure from the preparation melted away. I knew my song would make an impact and open many doors, and it did. As I stepped down from the stage, I shook with emotion.

2024: bridging cultures, inspiring change, and celebrating a new album release

I feel blessed as many children and teenagers follow me and seek to progress as I do. They write to me, create huge posters for concerts, and send me precious letters that I treasure. Over time, we developed a dynamic to gather all their messages and gifts. I feel grateful when I see them take the time to show me their love; it feels almost magical to love so many people I do not know.

Sometimes, we organize photo shoots to meet each other and have more direct contact, which I find necessary and exciting. I am releasing my second album this year, which brings me immense happiness. 2024 has been a year of reconnecting, closing the first stage of Pop Andino, and looking beyond the horizon while staying true to myself.

I always convey a clear message: I will discover and share my culture and roots with the world, showing acceptance. I broke many stereotypes to get to where I am, and always endeavor to go a step further. Embracing everything I love, I raise the voices of those who cannot speak for themselves.