Rebekah Del Rio, renowned for her haunting “Llorando” in Mulholland Drive’s Club Silencio, passed away at 57, leaving an indelible legacy on cinema and music.

Rebekah Del Rio, celebrated singer-songwriter renowned for her rendition of "Llorando" in David Lynch’s 2001 film "Mulholland Drive," passed away on June 23 at her Los Angeles home. She was 57.

The Los Angeles Coroner’s Office confirmed Del Rio’s passing, yet no additional details surrounding her death have been revealed.

Early Life and Rise to Fame 

In the mid-'90s, Lynch met Del Rio through their shared CAA agent, Brian Loucks. At the time, Del Rio had secured a contract in Nashville, Tennessee, due to her Spanish rendition of Roy Orbison’s "Crying." Upon introduction, Lynch requested a performance of the piece and recorded it secretly. This rendition later became the foundation for the Club Silencio scene, a pivotal addition to Lynch's reworked film, "Mulholland Drive."

The sequence in Silencio is a defining moment in Lynch's film, arriving at an emotional peak with Naomi Watts and Laura Harring tearing up as they watch Del Rio’s mesmerizing performance in the club. Although Del Rio's character faints to reveal she was lip-syncing, she delivered live performances of the song for each take.

The Iconic “Llorando” Performance in Mulholland Drive 

"There were numerous takes. With each, I sang live, aiming to evoke the same emotional resonance with my voice so that the viewers could feel it," Del Rio mentioned in a 2022 interview with IndieWire. She further expressed her desire for actors Laura Harring and Naomi Watts to witness the live performance, as they were present during filming.

Although brief, Del Rio’s performance left a mark on the film industry. She later collaborated with writer-director Richard Kelly for the 2006 sci-fi film “Southland Tales,” performing "The Star-Spangled Banner" during its dramatic conclusion. Her voice is also featured on soundtracks for "Sin City," "Man on Fire," and "Streets of Legend."

Legacy Beyond Lynch: Later Collaborations and Impact 

Del Rio maintained her connection with Lynch throughout his career. (Lynch passed away in January at 78.) She performed alongside Moby in a notable roadhouse scene from Showtime's "Twin Peaks: The Return" and participated in tour performances with The Red Room Orchestra, celebrating Twin Peaks' music. Just weeks before her passing, Del Rio performed live at a charity event screening of "Mulholland Drive" at the Philosophical Research Society in Los Angeles.

Born on July 10, 1967, in Chula Vista, California, Del Rio started her career in San Diego before relocating to Los Angeles. She had a son, Phillip C. DeMars, in 1986, who tragically passed away in 2009 at just 23 years old.