By Veronica Villafae, Contributor

In a remarkable shift from gaming to music, renowned Mexican streamer AriGameplays has unveiled her new musical persona, Aria Bela, during a fan event in Monterrey, Mexico. Over the past decade, AriGameplays, whose real name is Abril Abdamari Garza Alonso, has successfully carved out a niche in the competitive, predominantly male sphere of online gaming. What commenced as a simple pastime at the age of 15 has now blossomed into a flourishing full-time career, attracting a staggering following of over 75 million across popular social media platforms like Twitch, YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram.

AriGameplays, a celebrated streamer and cosplayer known for her engaging content and gaming prowess, is now embarking on a thrilling new chapter dedicated to her passion for music. Under the name Aria Bela, she is launching her inaugural single and music video, showcasing her determination to navigate this venture on her own terms through self-funding. Her music will be distributed via TikTok's distribution platform, SoundOn, marking an innovative approach to reach audiences.

In a transition that has been two and a half years in the making, Aria has been diligently preparing for this new venture by engaging in intensive training, which includes singing, dancing, piano, and acting classes while skillfully keeping her plans under wraps during her gaming streams. The grand reveal took place during a lively livestream on her Twitch channel, where she was met with an enthusiastic crowd of approximately 250 fans. During this event, she introduced her musical alter ego, Aria Bela, and premiered her debut single titled Pilates.

The response has been overwhelmingly positive; within just 10 hours of its release on YouTube, the music video amassed nearly 400,000 views, surpassing the half-million mark within 20 hours. This rapid viewership highlights the immense interest and support from her established fanbase who have followed her journey from gamer to musician.

As Aria Bela, she has crafted a unique universe through her music, which she describes as a realm where her alter ego can thrive and connect with fans in new ways. Its been a decade, so I wanted to discover and try other things, Aria expressed, emphasizing her love for music and dance. She believes this new venture allows her to forge a closer bond with her audience, bringing them along on her journey of self-discovery.

Looking forward, her debut EP, tentatively titled Ariatopa, is set to be released this summer. Her musical style is characterized as pop with a fresh, vibrant, and happy sound, infused with K-pop influences. Aria plans to reach beyond her Spanish-speaking fanbase by incorporating elements of both English and Spanish in her songs, creating a Spanglish vibe that appeals to a wider audience. All the songs are in Spanglish to connect with Mexicans and Latinos who already listen to me, she explained, showcasing her desire for inclusivity in her music.

Aria has collaborated with talented artists, including Argentine singer-songwriter Mechi Pieretti and producer Essa Gante, and has already completed seven songs, with plans to release one each month. Its been a very interesting, fun process, and Ive been working with great women, she noted, reflecting on the empowering dynamic of her creative team.

Despite her successes, AriGameplays has faced challenges in her ascent to prominence. As a female gamer, she has often found herself under constant scrutiny. People always want women to prove something, she stated, recounting her past experiences with criticism regarding her appearance and style. However, she remained resilient, staying true to herself and building a personal brand centered around her interests, which include her signature cat ears and bows, presented in her favorite color, pink.

Her journey has not been without its fair share of controversies either. In 2020, she faced a ban from Twitch due to a Halloween stream that featured a dance in a Chucky costume, showcasing the sometimes unpredictable nature of content creation on streaming platforms. Following this incident, she shifted to Facebook for two years before making a triumphant return to Twitch, where she has since solidified her presence. Twitch is like my house. Its where I started, she remarked, expressing her deep connection to the platform.

Family support has played a crucial role in her journey. Aria highlighted her strong family ties, describing herself as very family-oriented. My sister and my sister-in-law also stream, so I feel like Im in a zone where I have a lot of trust and support, she shared, emphasizing the importance of having a solid support system in navigating the ups and downs of online fame.

Looking ahead, Aria has no intentions of abandoning her gaming roots despite her musical ambitions. Everything starts with AriGameplays, and its something Ive always loved, she affirmed, acknowledging that gaming continues to provide her with comfort. She dreams of performing live, visualizing herself on stage at concerts. I hope that in a year, Ill be on stage, singing my songs, and seeing people there to watch me, she said, confident in her ability to blend her gaming legacy with her newfound musical pursuits.

With her distinctive style and growing aspirations, Aria Bela aims to leverage her massive following to achieve musical success while remaining grounded in her gaming origins. Fans can catch glimpses of her journey through her first English interview, as well as deeper insights into her music plans presented in Spanish.