Who was Rebekah Del Rio? All about Twin Peaks singer as she dies at 57

Rebekah Del Rio, the American singer known for her eerie performance in David Lynch's Mulholland Drive, passed away on June 23 at the age of 57. Her nephew, Dan Coronado, announced her death in a Facebook post.

Her nephew wrote:

“Just found out my Tia Becky passed away, and we literally just saw her on Father’s Day. So grateful the kids got to hear her sing, and also that I didn’t listen to her and secretly recorded the moment.”

He continued,

“Her most famous song is titled ‘Llorando’ which is named after Roy Orbison’s song ‘Crying’ which I’m doing right now as I type this out. Thank you for sharing your beautiful gift with the world Tia. We love you.”

The public has not received information about what caused her death.

Just a few weeks before she died, the singer performed live at a charity showing of Mulholland Drive in Los Angeles. Del Rio's death follows six months after filmmaker David Lynch passed away.

Who was Rebekah Del Rio?

Del Rio was an American singer. She became famous for singing Roy Orbison's "Crying" in Spanish, called "Llorando," which played in a key scene in Mulholland Drive (2001). In the movie, she sings the song at Club Silencio, creating a moment full of emotion and dreamlike imagery.

While the movie used a pre-recorded version from the singer's first meeting with Lynch, she stated in a 2022 interview that she sang live during each take to maintain the authenticity of the performance. The singer, who hailed from San Diego, California, had a mix of Mexican, Italian, and Sephardic roots.

Her music blended classical training with Latin elements, often touching on themes of loss and yearning. She felt her voice had been molded by personal sorrow, including the passing of her son, Phillip DeMars, who died from cancer in 2009 at 23 years old.

Del Rio’s artistic reach and personal resilience

Del Rio's work with David Lynch went beyond Mulholland Drive. She appeared in Twin Peaks: The Return (2017), singing "No Stars" with Moby. Lynch wrote the lyrics as a poem. The singer also took part in live shows with The Red Room Orchestra, which honored Twin Peaks music.

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Her work spanned several movie soundtracks. She lent her voice to Southland Tales (2006), directed by Richard Kelly. Her singing also appeared in Sin City, Man on Fire, and Streets of Legend.

Besides her art, the singer faced significant personal and health struggles. She opened up about a medical error that caused mobility issues and led to a period of homelessness. Even with these hardships, she continued to perform.

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