From Runway to Recording Artist: Luma Valen Talks Debut Single “Alive”

Luma Valen chose friendship as the heart of her debut single “Alive” for one simple reason. She wanted to create a song that connects people. A song that lifts you, brings joy, and reminds you of the bonds that keep us grounded and inspired. “Alive” is her cinematic pop celebration of connection that is warm, human, and instantly uplifting.

Known to many from the world of high fashion, the Puerto Rico born model turned recording artist has spent years expressing emotion through image. Now she is turning that expression into sound. Her debut single is a radiant introduction to the world she calls The Luma Frequency, a style of pop that is emotional, spiritual, and deeply rooted in real human experience.

Although fans may recognize her from Vogue, Grazia, Glamour, and L’Officiel, Luma’s creative journey began long before she appeared on glossy pages. She grew up with a violin and a love for storytelling. Today she blends those roots with a modern sensibility, crafting music in collaboration with 17 time Grammy winning producer Humberto Gatica, whose cinematic touch enhances her signature sound.

“Alive” also marks the beginning of what Luma calls The Frequency Era, a new chapter centered on intention, purpose, and the power of authentic connection. With a growing global community behind her and the official music video releasing this January, she is ready to share the world she has been crafting quietly for years.

In this exclusive Q and A, Luma opens up about the inspiration behind “Alive,” the friendships that shaped her, and the powerful creative vision she is building next.

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You describe your debut single “Alive” as an anthem to the power of friendship. What inspired you to make that the theme of your first release?

"After I graduated from high school, I lived most of my adult life far away from my immediate family. Because of that, my circles of friends became my family. They were my support system, my everyday life, and the people I relied on. I do see my family more often now that I live only a few hours from them, but during the years I lived in Los Angeles it was very difficult to visit often. Travel was expensive, I was working constantly, and none of us could make the trips regularly. For almost ten years, we mostly had phone calls. That was the period of my life when I truly understood the value of friendship. Those relationships became my second family and shaped the way I see connection and love."

How did your collaboration with 17 time Grammy winner Humberto Gatica come together, and what was it like working with him?

"We connected through trusted creative circles, and from our first conversation there was a natural understanding of the vision I wanted to create. Humberto brings a rare level of sensitivity to the studio. He listens not only to the vocal, but to the emotion behind it. Working with him is inspiring because he knows how to translate feeling into sound in a way that is timeless. My story with him is also very meaningful to me. Years ago, I wrote a song called Love and dreamed that Celine Dion would sing it and that he would produce it. The surprising turn is that many years later I would be the one singing it and preparing to bring it into the world. I never expected that, and I feel deeply honored by the way life unfolded."

“Alive” channels love, joy, and inner strength. What emotion were you feeling most while writing it?

"Gratitude. I was grateful for the people who stood by me, grateful for the moments that pushed me to grow, and grateful for the reminder that joy is something we can choose. While writing Alive, I was reflecting on how many songs in the world focus on romantic love, yet we rarely speak about the depth of friendship. Losing a friend or feeling distance in a friendship can be just as painful as a breakup, and that truth is not explored enough in music. Friendship is a real relationship. It shapes us, holds us, and sometimes saves us. While writing Alive, I felt gratitude for the friends who became my anchors and also a deep appreciation for the emotional space that friendship deserves in our lives."

You have called this the beginning of The Frequency Era. What does that mean to you?

"The Frequency Era represents a new creative chapter. It is about using music, imagery, and storytelling to elevate how we feel and how we connect with the world around us. I want my work to carry intention and to encourage people to tap into their own light. This era is about creating a world where emotion and artistry meet in a very real and uplifting way."

Your music blends pop and spirituality. How do you balance mainstream sound with deeper meaning?

"I approach pop as the language and meaning as the purpose. When the emotion is authentic, the production naturally supports it. I want my songs to feel accessible and modern, but also to carry truth. My hope is that people enjoy the sound first and then slowly feel the message reveal itself."

Your upcoming EP, The Alive Frequency, also known as Frecuencia Viva, explores a wide range of emotions. What can you share about the sound and story behind it?

"The Frequency Era, also known as Frecuencia Viva, follows the journey of awakening. Each song captures a different moment of love, reflection, loss, and renewal. Sonically, it blends cinematic pop with a warm and intimate energy. The EP is meant to feel emotional, modern, and human. My goal was to create music that stays with you not only because of how it sounds, but because of how it makes you feel."

You have said, “I turn cosmic energy into sound.” What does that mean creatively?

"For me, everything begins with feeling. Before the words and before the production, there is a sensation or a mood I want to express. I sit with that energy until it becomes a melody, and sometimes the lyrics arrive first.  It often feels like a download.  I see lyrics as a form of poetry, a way to translate emotion into language.  It is a creative process that is intuitive and emotional. Music is a vibration, and I try to honor that by creating from a place that feels genuine and alive."

You have modeled for Glamour, L’Officiel, Grazia, and Vogue. How does fashion influence your music and vice versa?

"Fashion and music share the same emotional language. Both express identity, mood, and story. When I write music, I naturally see visuals, textures, and a sense of atmosphere. When I step into fashion, I feel rhythm, movement, and tone. Fashion has also shaped the way I understand fantasy and the stage. In front of the camera or on a runway, we become characters and create emotion and sensation through imagery, and I want to bring that same world of visual storytelling into my music. Fashion gives my songs a place to live, and music gives my fashion purpose and emotional depth."

Luma Valen for VOGUE China (Photographer: Alex Dani)

From the runway to the recording studio, how do you keep your creativity flowing and your energy aligned?

"I stay connected to intention. I listen to my body and give myself space to reset when I need it. Meditation, silence, and time in nature help me stay grounded. Balancing artistry, motherhood, and creation requires clarity. When I protect my energy, creativity moves freely."

Friendship is a central theme in your work. Who are the people who keep you feeling “alive”?

"My closest friends. The ones who show up with honesty and love. The ones who celebrate me and challenge me. They are the people who bring me back to joy and remind me to stay soft and open. Their presence inspires everything I create."

You support Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation and Foster Love. Why are these causes meaningful to you?

"Children deserve safety, comfort, and dignity. Supporting children through illness or through the foster system is deeply important to me. These organizations create real impact in the lives of young people, and being part of that mission is something I hold close to my heart."

What can fans expect next from The Alive Frequency era?

"Fans can expect the Alive music video, new singles, live performances, and the full Frequency Era EP. This is the start of a long term creative vision. I am building an entire world around the emotion and storytelling of this era. My goal is to create an experience that grows with the audience and continues to unfold in meaningful ways."

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Dive in to The Luma Frequency by following her on Instagram here and streaming her new song “Alive.”