Jan 30, 2023

Latina Singer Songwriter Actress - Sophia Maria

Talented, multi-faceted and beautiful...

When I first spoke with Sophia Maria I was drawn in by her confident tone, professional conversation and business mindset. We spoke about her history, music, acting and Vegas life. Sophia is more than just a singer-songwriter and actress. She also juggles her time between her husband Chad, a retired basketball professional, and their three beautiful children. Sofia was born and raised in Las Vegas and she gives credit for her beauty and talent to her stunning Mexican mother Marialicia and handsome Italian father Russell Ricciardelli. Sophia also has an amazing and supportive brother, Russell Jr.

My dad had a great idea!

Throughout her life, Sophia always showed a passion for music, she really loved to sing. Each and every day, you could hear this songbird singing around the house. After hearing his daughter's beautiful voice, her father thought about expanding her vocal talent and asked if she wanted to enroll in music lessons. Sophia didn't even have to think twice about her answer, she shouted "yes"! And so her career in the industry started.

Sophia's father, along with transporting her to her to music and acting lessons, would ensure she got the exposure she needed by taking her to beauty pageants, church choir, and a myriad of local and nationwide events.

Her mom would prepare her for her performances by doing her hair, makeup and outfit selections. Her brother would cheer her on and the rest of Sophia's family was always a very supportive part of her career as well. Her first big break came performing at the Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall in Las Vegas. Sophia played Amahl and sang the lead in the opera Amahl and The Night Visitors and also toured with the production throughout the country.

I said "SING" girl!

She started her professional singing career around age ten, performing on the weekends at the Debbie Reynolds Hotel & Casino. Then, at age thirteen, she was offered a huge opportunity. Sophia was flown to New York to audition for LA Reid with Arista Records. When she arrived, she said the room had about 8 to 10 people, watching, standing in a circle. LA Reid was sitting at his office desk with sunglasses on. All he said was, “okay, this is your moment... SING”. Not intimidated at all, she sang her heart out and was given a deal on the spot.

She went on to independently create her own songs and even put out a couple of albums. She later met Alan Beck, the founder of Pacific Concert Groups. Alan co-managed Sophia, alongside Sophia’s dad. She toured with Pacific Concert Groups and sang with artists such as Zapp, Denise Williams, GQ and many more.

She also toured with other artists, MC Magic, Baby Bash, and during these years Sophia Maria put out more of her own singles and albums, Bump This and At Last to name a few. When Sophia was fifteen, MC Magic took her under his wing and she was signed to his company NASTYBOY Records, and toured with him and his manager Big D where they recorded many songs together. One of the songs that they wrote was called Forget About Her which independently hit number one at over 40 different radio stations! She went on to record the album Twisted Game and the single, You Made Me This Way and more. Sophia Maria, moved on from the company, but still toured with MC Magic and recorded other music together.

and if all of that wasn't enough...

Sophia expanded her career and went on to star as the lead singer in shows on cruise ships throughout the Mediterranean, Europe, and the Caribbean. She also performed with her band at various Las Vegas casinos and lounges, such as The Golden Nugget, The Venetian, and Aria just to name a few. She has also performed at public and corporate events and has done countless other gigs.

Sophia Maria is not new to the world of acting either. She was in many plays, musicals and commercials and even played small roles on independent films. Her most recent work was playing the character Angel in an independent comedy film, The Unhitch King directed by the iconic Iroc Daniels, alongside an incredible cast including lead-actor, Rob Kazi. The movie is available to view here on Tubi .

so much talent...

Sophia has recently released some new singles: You Make Me Cry, In Case You Didn't Know remix, My Tears, Wish U Well, Demons and many more. There are also numerous songs that she has been featured on by other artists. Listen here and check out more links below.

Sophia Maria has always had a saying “Blessings n' Besitos “ which means “ Blessings and Kisses” Sophia created a t-shirt line with Blessings and Besitos that she sells for both males and females.

Sophia Maria ends the interview with the heartfelt quote: “I am a proud Latina, that will always continue to perform and make music, represent the 702, and be the best wife and mom I can be. I choose to follow Christ and put my kids first before anything, I’m all about good vibes, good people, and having nothing but love in heart, and spreading that love.“

And of course, what story isn't complete without the 20(+) questions?:

STACY: How long have you lived in the Las Vegas area?

SOPHIA: all my life, born and raised

STACY: Are you Married?

SOPHIA: Yes, for almost 11 years

STACY: Do you have any Kids? If so, what are their Ages?

SOPHIA: Yes, I do, I have three, 2 boys and a girl, oldest is 10, middle 7 and youngest is 6

STACY: Do you own any other homes or properties? where?

SOPHIA: no, but maybe my husband does that he hasn’t told me about [she laughs]

STACY: Did you attend College? What was the name of your School? Do you have any Pictures?

SOPHIA: Got my GED because I was touring with Pacific Concert Groups at a very young age so wasn’t able to attend conventional school.

STACY: Do you have Pets? What? (dog, cat, iguana, pig) names?

SOPHIA: We have 2 big puppies that are a little over a year old, 2 mixed-breed Dogs their names are Oreo and Twinkie, the kids named them, and a bearded dragon his name is Scales

STACY: How many tattoos do you have? What do they mean/special?

SOPHIA: One, it is the worst tattoo in the world. I guess it’s considered a tramp-stamp. I was young, we drove to Pahrump to get it. It’s not finished and the spelling is wrong… yes, I regret it. I was even on the show Baggage with Jerry Springer. [Baggage season 2 episode 42 Jonny may sleep… (2010)] and this was my ‘baggage’.

STACY: What do you do for work?

SOPHIA: I’m a stay-at-home mom and I sing. Sometimes I tour or I’ll get a call to sub at a gig or convention work.

STACY: Do you have any hobbies?

SOPHIA: My hobby is I love to read and read about mythology creatures, different religions. I love to hike, love to color in my adult coloring books, love to dance. I used to teach dance lessons too.

STACY: Tell me something that people/friends may not know about you? Do you have a weird talent?

SOPHIA: [she laughs] I would say there is a lot that people don’t know about me. I’m an introvert and extravert. My brother told me is it’s called an “Ambivert”. I am also an Empath, I feel strong feelings to weird sad scenarios that don’t even relate to me personally. I’m also a “tree-hugger” and I own it! Sometimes I even hug an actual tree.

STACY: Do you have any unusual traits?

SOPHIA: aaah. Tree hugging is one of them! Another one is, every once in a while, I go on a weird cleanse health kick.

STACY: What is your favorite Food? Weirdest food you ever ate? Favorite Vegas Restaurant?

SOPHIA: Sushi, I can eat it all day, every day. The weirdest thing was Alligator. (she also mentioned cow-brains but didn’t think that was weird… okay) My favorite Vegas restaurant would have to be I Love Sushi in Henderson. And Rao’s and yes, one more Abuela’s Tacos in East Vegas.

STACY: What is your favorite Cocktail?

SOPHIA: My go-to is Vodka Soda with a twist of lime, I prefer Tito’s

STACY: Who is your favorite Sports Team(s)?

SOPHIA: I don’t have one, but Boxer Fernando Vargas. I prefer the team with the best uniform. I love turquoise pants, so I’ll go with the guy that looks the best in his uniform. (I heard THAT girl!) My husband is a fan of Vegas Football and Hockey.

STACY: Do you have a favorite car?

SOPHIA: no favorite, I like my Tahoe, I like it because I feel safe.

STACY: Tell me a special moment about your life growing up?

SOPHIA: A moment that stands out to me, I started singing at an early age and did a lot of cover songs. I remember when me and MC Magic hit number-one at over 40 radio stations. We did a live concert and MC said, be prepared… I remember getting up on stage and the crowd was singing along, every word with me and I felt so humble, I remember I said I was going to take this moment with me for the rest of my life.

STACY: Who is your mentor?

SOPHIA: My mom. My dad on the business end, but my mom, being a woman, wife and mother… everyday skills.

STACY: If you had a Super Power, what would it be?

SOPHIA: It would be to be able to heal people. If my kids were sick, I could heal them and friends too.

STACY: What is the best job you ever had?

SOPHIA: Singing, and touring.

STACY: What was the last gift you gave someone?

SOPHIA: [she laughs] I gave my husband a picture of me dressed as Harry Potter. (okay, I didn’t ask)

STACY: If you won a $10 million dollar Wheel-of-Fortune Jackpot, what would you do with the money?

SOPHIA: I would pay off my credit cards and I would put a lot of it away for my kids for college and get a house.

STACY: If you had to pick the next implosion of a casino, which one would you pick? Why?

SOPHIA: I would choose, I hate to say Binion’s but … no, let me think, I would say the Four Queens, but I feel bad.

STACY: What do you wear to bed?

SOPHIA: I wear my husband’s boxer-briefs. They are so comfortable. And a tank top, or one of his T’s

STACY: What is one thing on your Bucket List?

SOPHIA: I would love to go to the Vatican

STACY: Toilet paper; over or under?

SOPHIA: over, always over

STACY: Have you ever been arrested?

SOPHIA: no… [she hesitates] I had to think about that… oh wait, unless you mean sexually (she had me laughing there, but, no, I didn't ask for her to explain further)

STACY: Can you make your armpit fart?

SOPHIA: no, I just tried it…

STACY: Do you speak another language?

SOPHIA: Yes, Spanish, but I’m not grammatically fluent. I don’t use it really

STACY: What is the weirdest thing you’ve ever worn?

SOPHIA: Body spray paint, flag dress, showgirl costume.

STACY: Do you gamble? What is your jam?

SOPHIA: No, not really, my husband played poker professionally for many years after he retired, but I’ll go to play the nickels, I hate to lose money

STACY: If I looked in your refrigerator, what would I find?

SOPHIA: Regular condiments soda waters, I have an addiction to soda waters. So if we have a social gathering, that is what I drink. Regular milk and almond milk. Juice boxes for the kids and TONS of dinosaur chicken nuggets. And Whiskey and Bourbon or Rum for my husband.

STACY: If you were offered to be on a reality show which one would you choose?

SOPHIA: Now, what I would love to do is be a Housewife on Bravo. But you’d have to be rich, and I don’t think that heading to Ross Dress for Less would be an open door to get me in.

STACY: How many pairs of shoes do you own?

SOPHIA: I can count the number of shoes I own, I literally only have about 14 or 15 pairs of shoes. Because my kids have them all and my husband has over 200 pair. (no room in the closet I guess, but she showed me a photo of her closet and she had about 40 pair that I could see… we women have no idea how many pieces of clothing until we count them)

Check out the audio and video clips below to see and listen to more of Sofia Maria!