Who is Rebekah Del Rio? voice of 'Llorando' in Mulholland drive, passes away at 57 after years of collaborating with David Lynch

Time of India

a day ago

Rebekah Del Rio, the singer best known for her haunting performance of Llorando in David Lynch's Mulholland Drive, has passed away at the age of 57. Her death was confirmed by the Los Angeles Coroner's Office. While no further details have been disclosed, her sudden demise marks the end of a career that left a distinctive mark in music and film.
Del Rio rose to fame in the early 1990s and became widely known through her long-standing collaboration with filmmaker David Lynch.
A memorable partnership with David Lynch
Del Rio and Lynch first crossed paths in the mid-90s when she was signed under a country music deal in Nashville. Their collaboration began with a Spanish-language version of Roy Orbison's Crying, titled Llorando. Lynch recorded her vocal performance during their first meeting, a moment that would later influence one of his most iconic film scenes.
The song became central to a key moment in Mulholland Drive, originally developed as a TV pilot but later turned into a feature film by Lynch. The emotional Club Silencio scene, featuring Del Rio's live performance, moved both characters — played by Naomi Watts and Laura Elena Harring — to tears.
In a 2022 interview with IndieWire, Del Rio reflected on filming the scene, explaining, 'There were many takes. I sang along each time to maintain the same emotion with my vibrato, so the audience could see it.' She added that she performed directly to Harring and Watts, who were present during the shoot.
Del Rio's expanding career in film
After gaining widespread attention from Llorando, Del Rio was approached by director Richard Kelly and went on to appear in his 2006 sci-fi film Southland Tales. She performed during the film's final sequence, singing The Star-Spangled Banner in a dramatic setting.
Her voice was also featured in other films including Man on Fire, Sin City, and Streets of Legend. Del Rio remained active in music and continued her creative association with Lynch, contributing to other projects in the years that followed.
Her early life and move to Los Angeles
Rebekah Del Rio was born on July 10, 1967, in California. She began her music career performing in San Diego before eventually relocating to Los Angeles to pursue greater opportunities in the industry.Rebekah Del Rio leaves behind a unique musical legacy, defined by emotional depth and memorable screen performances.