Seth Doane, an award-winning CBS News correspondent, has been based in Rome, Italy since 2016. Over the years, Doane has reported on various critical topics including terrorist attacks across Europe, migration, and climate change. His coverage has often involved traveling with Pope Francis. On October 18, 2026, Doane interviewed Spanish pop artist Rosalía at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City.
The setting was apt for Rosalía, who had concluded her global tour for her latest album, Lux. She shared, “I really like how concentrated the energy is in spaces like this.” Rosalía is not new to harnessing energy in her performances. Her song “Berghain”, inspired by Hildegard of Bingen, combines operatic vocals in Spanish and German with an appearance by Björk. This composition illustrates her inclination towards classical influences while embracing innovation.
Her tour for Lux was rigorous, presenting challenges that included performing en pointe and singing in multiple languages such as Japanese, Ukrainian, Catalan, and Arabic. She crafted lyrics in 14 languages, aiming not at showcasing but at finding a bond. She remarked, “If you find 14 languages in this album, it’s not from a place of exhibition, but a search for communion.”
Lux, released by Columbia Records, explores stories of female saints and mystics, including figures like Olga of Kyiv. Rosalía explained her fascination with these complex subjects, noting, “This woman, she was an assassin before becoming a saint. Some of them were poets. They were prostitutes, some were drug addicts, and sometimes you wouldn’t connect sainthood to these words. It was definitely very inspiring.”
On the topic of commercial success versus artistic honesty, Rosalía said, “On one side, there’s the responsibility of, okay, I have an office and there’s people that I care about. But at the same time, I only can do what’s honest for me.” Her perfectionism led to last-minute tweaks, creating slight variations between digital and vinyl versions. “I couldn’t do this for too long, because otherwise it would be interminable,” she admitted.
Rosalía rarely listens to her albums after their release, finding little merit in revisiting her work. “I create to share it, to let it go,” she said. “Why would I listen it back? That would be torture!” Her fans, however, hold a different view, celebrating her diverse discography.
Her musical evolution includes her debut album, Los Ángeles (2017), a flamenco-inspired record, followed by Motomami (2022), which blended rap and reggaeton and earned critical acclaim. Lux, characterized by a four-part symphonic structure, reached #4 on the Billboard 200 chart.
Rosalía’s dedication stems from an innate drive, evident since childhood, overrunning her family’s attempts at restraint: “I fell to the floor and then I opened my forehead. And then they had to take me to the hospital and sew it. And I have this mark here, and this is a reminder that maybe since I was a kid, that’s who I was.” This relentless nature has fostered her growth, paving her path from formative setbacks such as being dropped from a Spanish talent show at age 15.
Her influence extends to fashion, frequently attending the Met Gala and inspiring designers, while branching into acting with HBO’s Euphoria. Rosalía embraces risks and experiments, stating, “I try to have fun while I try new things, and I try not to be in fear.”
In Lux, she exhibits a near-spiritual dedication to music. “Being a musician is, for me, an office as noble as somebody who makes bread or shoes. So, I just go to the studio and try to put my love and my energy.” Her work reflects devotion, underscoring her love for the craft.
Stream Rosalía’s album Lux using the embed below (Free Spotify registration required):
For more information, visit rosalia.com or explore Lux by Rosalía on Columbia Records.