The Queen of Latin Pop was recruited but never actually joined the agency. Or did she? Gloria Estefan almost joined the CIA — that, or she's secretly a spy

The Queen of Latin Pop was recruited but never actually joined the agency. Or did she?

Gloria Estefan almost joined the CIA — that, or she's secretly a spy

The Queen of Latin Pop was recruited but never actually joined the agency. Or did she?

By Jessica Wang

Jessica is a staff writer at , where she covers TV, movies, and pop culture. Her work has appeared in Bustle, NYLON, Cosmopolitan, InStyle, and more. She lives in California with her dog.

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August 26, 2025 4:51 p.m. ET

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Gloria Estefan performing in 2024. Credit:

Dia Dipasupil/Getty

Gloria Estefan: chart-topping artist, eight-time Grammy winner, Queen of Latin Pop… international super-spy?

It almost happened — and for all we know, it might secretly be the case.

On the latest episode of NBC's *Songs & Stories With Kelly Clarkson*, Estefan recalled that she was recruited to join the CIA during her days as an airport employee, though her mother's fears supposedly stopped her from pursuing a career in espionage.**

"I was working full-time at the airport, translating for English, Spanish, and French," Estefan told host Kelly Clarkson. "I had the graveyard shift. I worked everyday from 1 o'clock in the afternoon to 9 at night, six days a week, especially Sundays."**

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There was "always" an agent "undercover" in customs, the "Mi Tierra" singer explained. "And they got to know me and they thought, 'You know what? You would be great as a spy.' They didn't say spy. They said, 'We would like to invite you to join the CIA.'"

An excited Estefan went home that day thinking, "I want to do this! It's so great." But with her mother, "The drama immediately started," Estefan said. The matriarch had protested, "Oh no! I already lost your dad to two governments and now you're going to do this!'" (Estefan's father reportedly worked under the ousted Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista and was jailed after Fidel Castro came to power. He also served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.)

"I didn't do it," Estefan said of joining the CIA, slyly adding, "supposedly."

Gloria Estefan at the 2023 Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Gala in New York.

Gary Gershoff/Getty

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Estefan went on to say she "tortured" her mom and sister with the possibility that she'd joined the agency. After all, she has the perfect cover: "Every time they'd ask me, I'd say, 'Well you really don't know if I joined, do you? I have the perfect cover. I make music.'"

She also joked that some of her hit songs could contain hidden messages, teasing, "There might be some stuff in there."

Along with Estefan, featured guests for Clarkson's new NBC show include the Jonas Brothers, Teddy Swims, and Lizzo. *Songs & Stories* blends live performances with storytelling and intimate conversations. The episodes were recorded prior to the recent death of Clarkson's ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock, from cancer. Clarkson has since postponed the remainder of her summer Las Vegas residency to be with her two children.

Watch the video above for more from Estefan and Clarkson.**

Original Article on Source

Source: "AOL Music"

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Source: LUX MAG

Full Article on Source: LUX MAG

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