
Lila Downs
Biography
Ana Lila Downs Sánchez, best known as Lila Downs (born September 9, 1968), is an American–Mexican singer-songwriter and actress. She performs her own compositions as well as tapping into Mexican traditional and popular music. She also incorporates indigenous Mexican influences and has recorded songs in many indigenous languages such as Mixtec, Zapotec, Mayan, Nahuatl and Purépecha. Born and raised in Oaxaca, she primarily studied at the Institute of Arts by Oaxaca and briefly attended University of Minnesota, before withdrawing to focus on her musical career. She soon began performing in the traditional music scene of Oaxaca City.
Known For

TV
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Self - Emmys Segment
2003

TV
NPR Tiny Desk Concerts
Self
2008

TV
The Oscars
Self
1953

TV
Conversando con Cristina Pacheco
Self
1997

TV
La Más Draga
Lila Downs
2018

TV
Latin Grammy Awards
Self
2000

TV
La Mezcladora
2013

Film
Frida
Tango Singer
2002

Film
Deseo
Lila Downs
2013

TV
Las Lunas del Auditorio
Self
2002

TV
Ven Acá... con Eugenia León y Pavel Granados
Self
2023

TV
Léemelo
Self
2022

TV
La hora musa
Self
2018

Film
Matria
Herself
2014

Film
River of Fundament
Ranchera Singer
2014

Film
River of Fundament
Priest / REN Manager
2014
TV
Músicos de Latinoamérica
Self
2011

Film
Xico's Journey
Nana Petra (voice)
2020

Film
Mariachi Gringo
Sophia
2012

Film
The Life and Times of Frida Kahlo
Frida Kahlo (voice)
2005
Filmography
2023FilmTrece Cielos: Una Noche para Ponernos al Díaas Self2023FilmSantuarios del Infinitoas Narrator (voice)2023TVVen Acá... con Eugenia León y Pavel Granadosas Self2022FilmLila Downs - Desde Bellas Artes Méxicoas Lila Downs2022FilmTengo un Sueño 2022as Self2022FilmLila Downs en el #50FICas Self2022TVLéemeloas Self2021FilmA Song for Cesar: Beware a Movement That Singsas Self2021FilmLatin Grammy Celebrates: Them and Their Musicas Self - Performer2020FilmXico's Journeyas Nana Petra (voice)2020FilmCanto a La Memoriaas Lila Downs2020FilmEl Grito: Lila Downs at the Macedonio Alcalá Theater, with the Alejandro Díaz Orchestra and the Costumbrista Dance Companyas Herself2019FilmThe Song of Fried Chileas Lila Downs2019FilmAsí sembramos nuestra aguaas Narrador2018TVLa hora musaas Self2018TVLa Más Dragaas Lila Downs2017FilmLa Sonora Santanera - La Fiesta Continúaas Lila Downs2015FilmLila Downs - Balas y Chocolateas Lila Downs2015FilmThe Nightingale and the Night: Chavela Vargas sings Lorca.as Herself2014FilmMatriaas Herself2014FilmLa UNAM por México: 85 Años de Autonomía Universitariaas Herself2014FilmSantana: Corazón Live from Mexico: Live It to Believe Itas Self2014FilmRiver of Fundamentas Ranchera Singer2013TVLa Mezcladora2013FilmDeseoas Lila Downs2012FilmMariachi Gringoas Sophia2012FilmMade in Mexicoas Self2012FilmNatalia Lafourcade - Mujer Divina (Homenaje A Agustín Lara)as Lila Downs2012FilmLila Downs - Pecados y Milagrosas Lila Downs2012FilmCrossing the Desertas Cantante2011TVMúsicos de Latinoaméricaas Self2010FilmLila Downs y La Misteriosa en París - Live à FIPas Self2009FilmThe Very Best Of/El Alma de Lila Downsas Lila Downs2008FilmDe Cómo Los Niños Pueden Volaras Mamá2008TVNPR Tiny Desk Concertsas Self2007FilmFadosas Self2007FilmLila Downs - Lotería Cantadaas Lila Downs2007Film12 Girls Band - Live from Shanghaias Self2007Film¡Pedro Infante... Vive!as Herself - Performer2005FilmThe Life and Times of Frida Kahloas Frida Kahlo (voice)2005FilmHasta el último trago... Corazónas Lila Downs2004FilmEn mi paísas Self2003TVJimmy Kimmel Live!as Self - Emmys Segment2003FilmFuegoas Woman2002TVLas Lunas del Auditorioas Self2002FilmFridaas Tango Singer2000TVLatin Grammy Awardsas Self2000FilmCorazón Oaxaqueñoas Lila Downs1997TVConversando con Cristina Pachecoas Self1953TVThe Oscarsas Self