Latinas are not to be pigeonholed. In our monthly Modern Muze Spotlight series, we will talk to successful businesswomen who continue to inspire us. Today, we’re spotlighting HENAO, a Colombian-American singer and songwriter from Houston, TX, who is making waves in experimental R&B music.

Born in Houston and currently splitting her time between Medellín (Colombia) and the U.S., HENAO embodies her Latina roots and lets them lead the way in her music and everyday life. “I always joke that I was basically raised on salsa, boleros, y arroz con huevo… jajaja!” she exclusively told Modern Muze. “My house was very Colombian, but the second I walked outside, it was R&B, hip-hop, and every other genre.” She notes that living in both places inspires her creativity.

To get a better insight into what influences her music and what fans can expect from her upcoming tour, Modern Muze talked to HENAO about everything from music to her favorite beauty products. Yes, a little bit of everything.

 

 

How do your Latina roots influence your journey as not only a singer but also a songwriter? 

Being Latina is everything—may I embody this passionate, creative woman in every lifetime! My family taught me that music isn’t background noise… It’s how we celebrate, how we cry, how we heal, and honestly… how we clean the house too (Gracias, Mami!) As a songwriter, I naturally write with that emotional intensity. Latin@s have a beautiful way of feeling everything deeply. 

 

Can you tell us more about what inspires your music and why you decided to fuse Colombian sound with R&B? 

I fell in love with R&B because of the honesty and the feeling it would bring to me. Artists like Brandy, Aaliyah, Sade, and Lauryn Hill made me realize that softness could be powerful. At the same time, I had my Latin influences embedded in my DNA. One day I stopped asking myself… “Should I sound more Latin?” and started asking, “What would happen if I sounded like… me?” 

That’s where my sound was born. I love taking the rhythm of Latin music and blending it with R&B harmonies, atmospheric production, and bilingual storytelling. Sometimes it’s subtle, sometimes it’s obvious. But it always feels authentic, which I believe music is becoming less about genres and more about identity. 

 

You mentioned that one of your muses is Selena Quintanilla. What is your earliest memory of her? 

My earliest memory of Selena is actually kind of funny. I remember sitting in the backseat of my parents’ car as we drove around Houston, constantly asking them to put Selena on… again. I didn’t understand every lyric yet, but somehow I understood exactly how she made me feel. One of the greatest gifts of my childhood was getting to see one of her final performances at the Houston Astrodome. I don’t think little me fully realized how pivotal that moment was going to be, but I do remember sitting there completely mesmerized. It was the first time I looked at a stage and thought, “I want to do that,” and that moment changed everything. 

 

What can people expect on your upcoming Tu Femme Tour? 

Lots of emotions… and hopefully nobody crying alone because we’re all crying together. Seriously, though, I want every show to feel like you’re stepping into my life for an hour. There will be moments where we’re dancing, moments where we’re screaming lyrics together, and moments where it feels incredibly intimate. Because I’m an independent artist, I’ve been involved in every single detail, from the visuals and creative direction to the merch, the outfits, and the storytelling. This tour is really a love letter to everyone who’s supported me and a reminder that sometimes the universe asks us to be patient… Not because our dream is out of reach, but because it’s still becoming. 

 

Can you share anything about your upcoming music?

I’m so excited for this next chapter. My next album, Boca Cherry, explores love, femininity, confidence, heartbreak, and rediscovering yourself after you’ve lost pieces of who you were. The vision behind it is insanely beautiful. Sonically, you’ll hear R&B, Latin influences, dreamy production, bilingual lyrics, and a lot of experimentation with genres. I’ve stopped trying to fit inside one box. The music feels like me… and that’s the best compliment I could ever give it. 

 

What advice do you have for other Latinas who want to break into the music scene? 

Please don’t wait until you think you’re ready. Just do it. Even if you mess up, keep going! Your authentic self shines brighter than anything, so don’t try to be anyone else—just be you. Learn the business. Read your contracts. Own your masters whenever you can. Protect your vision. Talent opens doors, but knowledge helps you keep them open. 

 

Over at Modern Muze, we also love to talk all about beauty. What’s your beauty routine before a performance? 

A good two-to-three-mile run in the morning gives me so much energy. If I have access to a steam room, I’ll do 15 minutes so I can look bien regia on stage. I keep my meals light but high in protein, then I put on my headphones and listen to my entire set to get in the zone. After a few vocal warm-ups, I take a moment to set my intentions for the show.

 

What are five makeup/beauty products that are a must in your routine?

OMG, so many! Let’s see. I will list my top. Let’s start with skin: a great BB cream with SPF, Colorescience Sunforgettable Face Shield “Color: Tan.” A great lip combo: Laneige Tinted Lip Serum “Cinnamon Sugar” with Tarte Maracuja juicy lip liner “Rosy Brown” (I refuse to perform without it.) OSEA Undaria Algae Body Oil because we gotta glow, baby!  I love all my SkinCeuticals, but my favorite is the “C E Ferulic” [which is] my favorite Vitamin C serum. The signature scent for the summer: I mix my House of Bō “Rosario” with Nemat’s “Amber Oil Perfume.”

 

What is one beauty hack or tip that you swear by? 

My favorite beauty hack is my morning concoction. I mix room-temperature water with a tablespoon of black seed oil, a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with the mother, and fresh Meyer lemon juice. I’ve been doing it for a year, and I swear it’s so good for your gut and keeping your stomach flat. 

 

Anything else you’d like to include?

To every Latina who’s ever felt like she was “too much” or “not enough” at the same time, I see you because I’ve been there too. I hope when people listen to my music, they feel seen, and if you’re reading this… I can’t wait to share this chapter with you on the Tu Femme Tour.