The iconic voice of Celia Cruz resonates once more, this time with the help of artificial intelligence. On Friday, her executor, Omer Pardillo, revealed that the celebrated Cuban singer has become the first Latina artist to have her voice recreated using AI. This milestone, he emphasized, will be surrounded by strict measures to safeguard the legacy of the "Queen of Salsa," who passed away in 2003.
The project was undertaken by ElevenLabs, a company specializing in AI voice synthesis, which has previously recreated the voices of notable figures such as poet Maya Angelou and artist Salvador Dalí.
Ensuring Control Over Celia's Voice
Pardillo clarified that although the voice is created and registered, its usage will not be unrestricted or widespread. "It's not like everyone will have access to Celia's voice to use as they please. This is a very controlled process," he assured.
The main goal is to connect the legacy of the Havana-born singer with new generations without losing control over her image or voice. "The aim is to keep Celia's voice and legacy meaningful and accessible for the future," stated the executor.
Planned Uses and Limitations
Potential uses include audiobook narration, educational content, and responses based on statements Cruz made during her lifetime. Pardillo emphasized the cultural importance: "I believe it's more about celebrating our culture... and allowing her to respond with things she actually said, without straying too far from her words."
He firmly ruled out any political use of the recreated voice. "I would never use it for political purposes, campaigns, or anything like that," he affirmed. Priority will be given to Spanish, though some minor projects in English might be considered if they maintain the authenticity of the artist.
Safeguarding Celia's Legacy
Pardillo expressed his initial concern about losing control over the voice. "The biggest fear was that everyone would have access and I would find Celia's voice speaking with someone she never wanted to. That's not happening," he stated, adding that ElevenLabs has control mechanisms, and any unauthorized use will be legally challenged. "There's absolute control over how it's handled," he concluded.
This announcement follows years of tension over unauthorized uses of Cruz's voice. In July 2023, Celia Cruz's estate publicly opposed any AI usage of her image or voice without express permission, citing Title 17 of the United States Code.
Despite this, in the same year, Yotuel Luengo recreated her voice for a new version of "Patria y Vida" alongside Arturo Sandoval, and in February 2024, Gente de Zona used it at the Lo Nuestro Awards with the song "Celia," which garnered five million views on YouTube. None of these uses had the estate's official authorization.
From ElevenLabs, Bridget Ferris, responsible for talent partnerships, praised the project's scope: "There's no voice like Celia Cruz's; her energy, joy, and cultural impact are truly unique," she expressed, highlighting that the collaboration seeks to bring her voice "to this new chapter of technology in a meaningful and respectful manner that honors her remarkable legacy."
Celia Cruz, born in Havana in 1925, recorded over 50 albums and received more than 100 awards throughout her career. In 2024, she became the first Afro-Latina woman to appear on a U.S. coin as part of the "American Women Quarters" series.
Exploring the AI Recreation of Celia Cruz's Voice
What company was responsible for recreating Celia Cruz's voice?
ElevenLabs, a company specializing in AI voice synthesis, was responsible for recreating Celia Cruz's voice.
How will Celia Cruz's AI voice be used?
The AI voice will be used for audiobook narration, educational content, and responses based on Celia Cruz's own statements, with strict control over its use.
What measures are in place to control the use of Celia Cruz's AI voice?
Strict controls are in place, including legal avenues to combat unauthorized use and mechanisms by ElevenLabs to ensure absolute control over the voice's application.