In the shadow of the worldwide success of singer Rosalía—whose album “Motomami” topped Spotify charts and received rave reviews from critics—there are people close to her who played an important role in her rise. Among them are not only her mother and sister, but also a new member of the family: Diego Ibáñez, the boyfriend of her sister Pilar Vila. The couple, whose romance began in 2023, prefers to keep their relationship private, choosing a quieter life away from the paparazzi’s flashbulbs.
Family has always been the main support for the Catalan diva. Her mother, Pilar Tobella, manages her finances through a company named after her daughter’s landmark album—Motomami. Her older sister, Pilar Vila, affectionately called Pili by the family, is her stylist and creative advisor, helping to shape that unique artistic image that has won over millions. The sisters have been incredibly close since childhood, with just a two-year age gap, complementing each other perfectly both in life and at work.
Pilar Vila is a single mother raising her son Genis, who was born in 2012. Rosalía, who spent the pandemic in Miami working on her third album, especially missed her nephew during that time. The boy, now entering adolescence, and his grandmother, his namesake Pilar, are even mentioned in the singer’s work, highlighting their importance in her life. Now, Pili has found stability and happiness with Diego Ibáñez, frontman of the indie band Carolina Durante.
From football in the USA to Madrid’s indie scene
Diego Ibáñez’s path to fame was winding and unpredictable. Born in 1996, he seriously considered a career as a professional footballer. What started as a passion fueled by PlayStation games turned into a real opportunity: at 19, he received a sports scholarship to study in the United States. After passing a tryout in Las Rozas, organized by a Spanish company, he set off for Daytona, Florida. Two American universities were ready to cover 70% of his tuition, room, and board, but at the last moment, Diego changed his mind and returned to Spain. Two years later, Carolina Durante was born.
The band was formed in 2017 by four friends from the Santa María de Yermo school in the Chamberí district of Madrid. Alongside Ibáñez, the lineup included Martín Vallhonrat, Juan Pedrayes, and Mario del Valle. The group’s name is a tribute to their school friend, journalist Carolina Durante. The musicians quickly gained popularity thanks to their ironic and daring style. Their song “Cayetano” became an anthem, poking fun at stereotypical members of the conservative “golden youth.”
Creativity, relationships, and new horizons
Carolina Durante already has three studio albums to their name. One of their breakthrough works was the collaborative track “Perdona (ahora sí que sí)” with singer Amaia Romero, winner of the show Operación Triunfo. This creative partnership soon blossomed into a romantic relationship closely followed by the entire country. Interestingly, Rosalía herself also contributed to the group’s 2024 album “Elige tu propia aventura,” featuring on the track “Normal”—further proof of the close ties between these artists.
Diego’s personal life has always drawn media attention. Before his romance with Amaia, he dated Carlota Cosials, actress and member of the rock band Hinds. But Ibáñez is known for more than just his music and relationships. He has also made his mark as an actor, starring in the hit series “Cardo” alongside Ana Rujas, and even walked the runway in Paris as a model for the Catalan brand Paloma Wool. With nearly 53,000 followers on Instagram, Diego continues to surprise fans with the many facets of his talent.
Notably, Rosalía Vila Tobella, born on September 25, 1992, in Sant Esteve Sesrovires, Catalonia, is one of the most influential Spanish artists of today. Trained in classical flamenco, she rose to fame through bold experimentation, blending traditional elements with pop, hip-hop, and electronic music. Her second album, «El Mal Querer» (2018), brought her international recognition and several Latin Grammy awards. Her follow-up release, «Motomami» (2022), cemented her status as a global superstar, earning a Grammy for Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album. Rosalía is known not only for her music but also for her unique visual style, which sets trends in global fashion.
