Hiromi Hayakawa 2017.png

Hiromi Hayakawa (Marla Hiromi Hayakawa Salas; October 19, 1982 – September 27, 2017) was a Mexican singer, stage actress and voice performer who gained national attention after appearing on the televised singing competition La Academia. Born in Fukuoka, Japan, she built a career in Mexico that combined musical theatre, television acting and Spanish‑language dubbing of films and television series.

Early life and public breakthrough

Hayakawa first reached a wide audience as a contestant on the reality music show La Academia, a program that has launched several performers into professional work in Mexico. Although she remained primarily associated with musical theatre companies and stage productions, her television exposure from the show opened doors to supporting roles on television and to voiceover work for Spanish‑language releases of international films.

Career: theatre, television and dubbing

Throughout her career Hayakawa balanced live performance and recorded work. She was active in musical theatre, performing in several productions that emphasized her combined skills as a singer and actor. In television she took on occasional roles in series and telenovela‑style projects, and one of her better‑known television appearances was a portrayal of Lucy Li on the crime drama series El Chema, a character noted in coverage as an Asian‑Mexican woman involved in prostitution.

In addition to stage and screen acting, Hayakawa was a voice actress for the Spanish American market. She provided Spanish dubs and voice work for films and series originating in the United States, contributing to Spanish‑language editions of mainstream films. Among the international titles associated with her dubbing work are Alice in Wonderland, Brave and the film Prom. Her voice work helped bring English‑language films to Spanish‑speaking audiences across Latin America.

Notable works and roles

  • Contestant on La Academia — national exposure that led to theatre and TV work.
  • Regular performer in Mexican musical theatre productions; credited for live singing and acting.
  • Television role as Lucy Li on the drama El Chema.
  • Spanish‑language dubbing for several U.S. films and series, including Disney and other studio projects.

Hayakawa's combination of stage presence, vocal ability and dubbing experience made her a recognizable figure within Mexico's entertainment community, particularly among audiences who followed musical theatre and dubbed cinema.

Death and legacy

Hiromi Hayakawa died on September 27, 2017, in a Mexico City hospital at age 34. Reports indicated she suffered complications following childbirth that led to liver failure; she died while receiving care for these complications. Her passing prompted tributes from colleagues and fans who remembered her work on stage, television and in dubbing. She is often cited as an example of a performer who successfully bridged live musical theatre and the growing industry of Spanish‑language dubbing for international films.

Further information