Vlad Bunoan

Article (news)

Kayla Rivera and Molly Langley

Jude Cartalaba

Currently taking Manila by storm, &quot;On Your Feet!&quot; is a high-energy jukebox musical that chronicles the deeply inspiring journey of 26-time Grammy Award–winning power couple Emilio and Gloria Estefan.Presented locally by 9 Works Theatrical and Rockwell, this Southeast Asian premiere traces the Estefans’ path from their humble roots in Havana, Cuba, and their formative years in Miami, straight to their meteoric rise as international pop icons. But beyond the glitz of chart-topping anthems, the show delivers a heartfelt portrait of resilience — tenderly recounting Gloria’s devastating 1990 bus crash, her severe spinal injury, and her triumphant return to the stage.Anchoring the production’s Manila run is Cuban-American actor Jason Canela as Emilio alongside two powerhouse leading ladies -- the equally stunning and immensely talented Kayla Rivera and Molly Langley, who alternate in the role of Gloria.<div> </div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17848819500903d59b524-99ed-40b0-9733-bdc7458e484b.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Kayla Rivera. Franco Laurel</div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17848819825484ec18626-ccae-4686-bb1f-6f4bdcc87516.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Molly Langley. Franco Laurel</div>To step into the shoes of Gloria Estefan is to embody a living legend — an icon defined by a singular vocal timbre, distinct physical grace, and an unmistakable magnetic warmth. For Rivera and Langley, bringing the pop superstar to life on the Manila stage required a deep dive into the essence of the woman behind the multi-platinum hits.Rivera immersed herself in Estefan’s extensive archive — studying interviews, concert tapes, and tracks on loop to dissect her phrasing and vocal intonation.“The goal isn’t to imitate her, but to capture the qualities that make her unique,” Rivera explains. “With the help of my voice coach, I’ve incorporated certain nuances of Gloria’s vocal style into my performance. What stands out most to me is her warmth, strength, playfulness, and authenticity.”Langley took a similar immersive path, studying performances and documentaries spanning Estefan’s breadth of career to grasp her evolution across different eras.“What fascinated me was how grounded she remained despite her success,” Langley shares. “Vocally, I studied her phrasing and the warmth in her voice rather than trying to imitate her exactly. Physically, I observed the way she carried herself onstage — her confidence, her smile, and the way she connected with audiences. I wanted to understand the woman behind the icon because that’s what ultimately makes a portrayal feel truthful.”<div> </div>Finding personal resonance.Beyond the choreography and music, both lead actresses found deeply personal anchors within Estefan’s journey.For Langley, the connection lies in the sheer grit required to survive in the creative industry:“I connect deeply with her perseverance. She faced so many moments where it would have been easier to give up or choose a safer path, but she kept believing in herself and her vision. As a performer, I’ve experienced moments of uncertainty and rejection, and I think every artist understands what it’s like to keep going even when the outcome isn’t guaranteed. Her journey is a reminder that resilience often matters just as much as talent,” she said.Rivera, meanwhile, saw a striking reflection of her own artistic path in Estefan’s fierce refusal to compromise her identity.“I resonate most with her strength, resilience, and commitment to staying true to herself,” Rivera said. “Earlier in my career, I was told I needed lighter skin, a thinner frame, and a different hair color to get work on television. I felt that changing those parts of myself would mean finding success as someone I wasn’t. That’s why I admire how Gloria embraced her Cuban roots, bilingual identity, and unique sound despite resistance from the industry. Her example reminds me to remain rooted in who I am, embrace it, and never feel pressured to conform.”<div> </div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1784882027809IMG_1100.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Kayla Rivera. 9 Works Theatrical</div>Running a show like &quot;On Your Feet!&quot; demands relentless vocal stamina and rigorous physical execution — especially during the show&#x27;s explosive Miami Sound Machine numbers.To build her endurance, Rivera turned to an intense training regimen: singing while running on a treadmill. Besides Estefan’s upbeat catalog, she pushed her lung capacity by running to demanding Beyoncé tracks.“They’re already difficult to sing as is, so performing them while running helps strengthen my stamina for singing and dancing onstage,” Rivera notes. Her vocal maintenance is equally strict: “I protect my voice by getting at least eight hours of sleep, staying hydrated, taking my vitamins, steaming regularly, and avoiding loud gatherings where I might strain my voice.”For Langley, preparation is about foundational discipline and feeding off the room&#x27;s energy. “I make vocal health a priority by staying hydrated, getting enough rest, and warming up properly,&quot; she said. “Physically, I try to maintain my fitness so I can handle the demands of the choreography. But honestly, the audience gives us so much energy. Once those big numbers start and you feel the excitement in the theatre, adrenaline does the rest.”Capturing Estefan’s specific stage presence and vocal cadence presented its own creative hurdles during rehearsals. For Rivera, the challenge lay in channeling Estefan&#x27;s effortless star quality: “Gloria performs with such an effortless combination of charm, confidence, and charisma,” Rivera admits. “Her fame and experience as a performer are at another level, so developing that kind of presence has really stretched me throughout rehearsals.”Langley focused heavily on unlocking Estefan&#x27;s speaking rhythm and speech patterns.“She has a very unique blend of Cuban and American influences in the way she speaks. It isn’t just an accent; it’s her cadence and energy,&quot; she said. “Finding that balance without making it feel exaggerated took a lot of practice. I also paid attention to the way she moves — she has a natural elegance and confidence that seems effortless, but recreating that authenticity onstage required a lot of work.”<div> </div><div>The legacy of an icon</div>Stripping away the stadium tours and Grammy trophies, both actresses point to Estefan’s broader cultural legacy as her true triumph.Langley highlights Estefan’s role as a trailblazer who cracked open doors for Latin artists globally. “She helped bring Latin music into the global mainstream without compromising her identity or her culture. Her impact extends far beyond record sales — she created opportunities for future generations of artists to be seen, heard, and celebrated,&quot; she said.“What I admire most is that she never allowed setbacks to define her. In an industry that is constantly changing, Gloria’s story reminds me that longevity comes from authenticity, hard work, and believing in your own voice.”<div> </div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1784882076848IMG_0023.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Molly Langley. 9 Works Theatrical</div>For Rivera, Estefan’s ability to anchor a career around family and perseverance serves as a constant inspiration.“I admire how she has balanced an incredible career with being a present daughter, mother, and grandmother,” Rivera said. “Professionally, she preserved her Cuban roots and Latin influences through her music while opening doors for the Latino and Latina artists who continue to shape today’s musical landscape.”Rivera also points to Estefan&#x27;s legendary bounce-back after her near-fatal 1990 tour-bus crash. “She fought through a broken back, learned to walk and dance again, and returned to the stage at the 1991 American Music Awards. She has always beaten the odds while remaining strong, confident, and humble. Aside from being a theater performer, I’m also an OPM artist who releases music. I hope to follow her example by continuing to develop a sound that feels true to me and collaborating with creatives who share that vision.”With a soundtrack stacked with international megahits, both stars have specific numbers that spark joy every night. Rivera points to the explosive title track &quot;Get On Your Feet.&quot;“There is a beautiful moment when the cast comes together onstage to sing, dance, and celebrate the music. It perfectly captures what Gloria Estefan’s music has always done: bring people together, make them want to dance, and inspire them to get up and make things happen,” she said.Langley finds her favorite moments across a spectrum of emotions. “&#x27;Here We Are&#x27; is one of the most emotionally vulnerable moments in the show. On the other end of the spectrum, &#x27;Conga&#x27; is pure joy — the energy from the cast and the audience is infectious. I also have a soft spot for &#x27;Oye Mi Canto&#x27; because it celebrates Gloria’s heritage and the cultural roots that shaped her artistry.”<div>Catch Kayla Rivera and Molly Langley in their final performances of &quot;On Your Feet!&quot; this weekend at The Proscenium Theater: July 24 at 8m p.m.; July 25 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and July 26 at 3 p.m. Tickets are available via ticketworld.com.ph.</div>

Anchoring the production’s Manila run is Cuban-American actor Jason Canela as Emilio alongside two powerhouse leading ladies -- the equally stunning and immensely talented Kayla Rivera and Molly Langley, who alternate in the role of Gloria.

Anchoring the production’s Manila run is Cuban-American actor Jason Canela as Emilio alongside two powerhouse leading ladies -- the equally stunning and immensely talented Kayla Rivera and Molly Langley, who alternate in the role of Gloria.

Meet the 2 actresses playing Gloria Estefan in 'On Your Feet!' musical

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Meet the 2 actresses playing Gloria Estefan in 'On Your Feet!' musical

Jude Cartalaba

Published July 24, 2026 04:50 PM PHT

Read More:

Kayla Rivera

Molly Langley

Emilio Estefan

Two Glorias in On Your Feet!

Musical

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