Valeria Vegas on Spanish Folkloric Stars and Isabel Pantoja

Valeria Vegas, a Valencia-born anthropologist and writer, has released a new book titled Tan flamencas: Vida, obra y milagros de nuestras folclóricas. The publication, released by Aguilar, focuses on the history and impact of Spanish folkloric stars.

Vegas argues that this specific genre of stardom is nearly extinct. She contrasts the current visibility of international icons with that of Spanish folkloric legends. According to Vegas, while stars like Tina Turner and Liza Minnelli maintain a presence through modern merchandise, the Spanish equivalents have largely disappeared from the cultural landscape.

The book examines the careers of Lola Flores, Rocío Jurado, and Isabel Pantoja. Vegas characterizes Pantoja as the 'last of her species' and emphasizes the need to protect her legacy. The author notes that these stars faced unique challenges that led to their decline, including the influence of television networks and the obsolescence of video rental stores.

Valeria Vegas, 40, describes herself as an anthropologist of pop culture who collects kitsch artifacts. Her home in the center of Madrid is decorated with items that reflect this passion. The apartment features an aesthetic reminiscent of Almodóvar films.

Vegas's collection includes specific items that highlight her interest in pop icons. She possesses Barbie dolls of Cher, Joan Collins, and Gloria Estefan. Additionally, she has images of muses associated with director John Waters and merchandise featuring Elvira, the queen of the dark.

Among her framed items are photchromos of Carmen Sevilla. These photos capture the artist during her most splendid era, specifically when she starred in films such as Nadie oyó gritar, El techo de cristal, and La loba y la paloma. Vegas admits to having a folkloric side herself, stating that she does not look at her bank accounts and expects to die working.

The core of Vegas's research is the book Tan flamencas, which aims to vindicate the great stars of Spanish folkloric music. Vegas views this category of celebrity as a nearly extinct species. She analyzes the factors that contributed to the longevity—or lack thereof—of these performers.

Vegas provides a comparison to illustrate the fading of these stars. She notes that Tina Turner does not have an emoji, and Liza Minnelli lacks a refrigerator magnet. In contrast, she points out that the folkloric stars do have these items, implying they once held a specific place in commercial culture that has since been lost.

The author identifies several threats that these stars faced. She asserts that 'anything could have ended them.' The specific dangers she lists include:

• The game of bingo
• The television network Telecinco
• The obsolescence of videoclubs

Vegas believes these stars had an expiration date, suggesting that the changing media landscape contributed to their decline.

Among the figures studied, Isabel Pantoja receives specific attention from Vegas. The anthropologist views Pantoja as a unique figure in the current cultural climate. Vegas describes Pantoja as the last of her species.

This characterization suggests that Pantoja represents the final remnant of a bygone era of stardom. Vegas implies that the infrastructure that supported previous folkloric stars no longer exists to support new ones. Consequently, Pantoja stands alone as the end of a lineage.

Vegas issues a call to action regarding Pantoja's status. She argues that there is a need to care for her a little bit more. This statement highlights the fragility of her position as the sole remaining figure of this specific type of celebrity.