Ximena Sariñana
A Mexican multi-hyphenate who seamlessly bridges the worlds of introspective Latin alternative music and compelling screen acting.
Born 1985 (age 41)·Mexican singer-songwriter and actress·Birthday: October 29·Millennials
Biography
Ximena Sariñana's artistic life began in front of a camera, with childhood roles in Mexican telenovelas laying the groundwork for a nuanced acting career. But it was her shift to music that announced a major new voice. Her 2008 debut album 'Mediocre'—a title dripping with ironic self-deprecation—was anything but, blending jazz-inflected piano with smart, wistful pop. It earned her a Latin Grammy nomination and positioned her as a thoughtful songwriter in the Latin alternative scene. She has never been confined to one genre or medium, moving between Spanish and English lyrics, collaborating with artists like The Chemical Brothers, and returning to acting in acclaimed films. Sariñana represents a modern, borderless artist whose work is defined by emotional intelligence rather than a single category.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Ximena was born in 1985, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Ximena Was Born
The biggest hits of 1985
#1 Movie
Back to the Future
Best Picture
Out of Africa
#1 TV Show
Dynasty
Ximena's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1985Born
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1990Started school
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1998Became a teenager
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2001Could drive
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2003Could vote
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2006Turned 21
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2015Turned 30
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2025Turned 40
AI agents go mainstream
Gas: $3.10/galHome: $385,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"APT." — Rose & Bruno Mars
2026Age 41 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Received a Latin Grammy nomination for Best New Artist for her debut album 'Mediocre' in 2008.
- Her song 'Normal' was featured in the end credits of the Academy Award-winning film 'Romeo and Juliet' (2013).
- Acted in the critically praised Mexican film 'The Good Girls', which premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival.
- Released a collaborative English-language album, 'Ximena Sariñana', with producer and songwriter Mikael 'Mika' Bolyos in 2014.
Did You Know?
She comes from a filmmaking family; her father is director Fernando Sariñana and her mother is producer Carolina Rivera.
She studied jazz piano at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston.
She provided the Spanish-language voice of Violet Parr in the Latin American dub of Pixar's 'The Incredibles'.
She is married to Argentine musician and producer Mikael 'Mika' Bolyos.
“I think the most important thing is to be honest with what you're feeling and to translate that into music.”
