Last night, hundreds gathered in central parks and homes throughout Costa Rica to cheer on national sweetheart, María José, in her bid to become the next Latin American Idol. Unfortunately for the 18-year old herediana (María hails from Heredia province), her Panamanian competitor, Margarita Henríquez, was announced as the competition’s winner.

Monchi Balestra, the show’s host, said that millions had voted from all over Central and South America. Despite an almost $2000 donation from Costa Rican president Óscar Arias (that’s about 2000 votes), and the support of her fellow Costa Ricans, it seemed that María José hadn’t won quite enough votes to make her the competition’s final winner. The $1-a-pop votes had fallen short, and María was the unfortunate victim.

Despite the show’s ultimate result however, María José is definitely a winner. During her Latin American Idol journey, she not only won the hearts of Costa Ricans at home, but also charmed an entire continent - her strong vocals and winning personality scored her enough combined votes each week to move on in the competition. The result? A now-famous face, popularity throughout Latin America and a recording contract with Sony. Not bad for second place.

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Of course, her successes weren’t enough to staunch tears last night, though they flowed not from María José’s eyes, but from those of her fans at home. “Poor José (Luis Castillo, María’s father) has worn himself out, has given his life,” repeated María’s distraught grandmother. Staying strong, María’s father simply added that “if that is how God wanted it, He will know why he did it… she is our idol, our winner. God willing, María has paved the way for other artists in this country. Everyone in this country made their best effort. María is a winner.”

His words ring true to many Costa Ricans, who say that win or lose, María has already realized her dream. She has proven herself as a singer and woman over the last few months, and will see success both at home and abroad, if she chooses. Her success is also a source of national pride - Costa Ricans have few nationally-recognized artists, and María is already one of the most famous. Just minutes before the decision, President Arias called María’s family to congratulate them on their daughter’s performance. “No matter what happens, Costa Rica already has an idol. María José has united the village and should be proud of that,” Don Óscar emphasized.

The president’s words, echoed by so many Costa Ricans, are a sign of the national pride felt for María’s success. Her successes and struggles during competition each helped her to become a better, stronger vocalist, and she had a good time doing it. Now, with her Sony contract in hand, María José will be ready to take on the world. But first, she should come home - there are four million people who’d like to celebrate and congratulate her.

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Filed under: Costa Rica News, Costa Rican Music, Travel on October 10th, 2008