Rebekah Del Rio, the hauntingly soulful singer whose performance of "Llorando" in David Lynch’s acclaimed film Mulholland Drive captivated audiences worldwide, has passed away at the age of 57. Her death was confirmed by the Los Angeles medical examiner’s office on June 27, following her passing at home on June 23. While the exact cause of death remains under investigation, the legacy left by Del Rio’s voice endures profoundly in the realm of cinema and music.
Del Rio’s connection to David Lynch began in the 1990s, after a mutual agent introduced the two. Already an established singer-songwriter at the time, she had recorded a Spanish rendition of Roy Orbison’s classic "Crying," titled "Llorando." Recognizing the emotional depth this version carried, Lynch thoughtfully incorporated it into Mulholland Drive in a scene that has since become iconic. In the film, Del Rio appears with distinctive two-toned eyeshadow and a glittering tear adorning her face, delivering an unforgettable performance that echoes through the empty theater and resonates deeply with the film’s lead characters, portrayed by Naomi Watts and Laura Harring.
In a 2022 interview with IndieWire, Del Rio reflected on her dedication to capturing the emotional intensity of the song for the film: “There were many takes. And with every take, I sang along, because I felt I had to produce that same feeling with the vibrato in my throat so the audience could see it.” She also recalled singing directly to Watts and Harring during filming, ensuring the actresses could fully absorb the song’s heartfelt sorrow in real time.
Beyond Mulholland Drive, Del Rio’s rich vocal stylings featured in other notable productions, including Lynch’s Twin Peaks: The Return and the neo-noir action film Sin City. Her contributions helped elevate the emotional atmosphere and storytelling in these works, further cementing her place in cinematic history as an enigmatic and evocative artist.
As news of her passing spreads, fans of David Lynch’s idiosyncratic world and lovers of evocative music mourn the loss of a unique voice whose artistry transcended language and captured the raw poignancy of human emotion. Rebekah Del Rio’s "Llorando" remains a haunting testament to her talent—one that continues to move audiences long after the final note fades away.
