‘Mulholland Drive’ fame singer Rebekah Del Rio dies at 57

The voice behind one of David Lynch’s most unforgettable film scenes has passed away.

Singer and actress Rebekah Del Rio, most recognised for her emotional performance of 'Llorando' in David Lynch’s 2001 film Mulholland Drive, has passed away at age 57. The news was confirmed by the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office, though the cause of death has not been disclosed.

Del Rio’s unforgettable scene in Mulholland Drive, set in the mysterious Club Silencio, became one of the most talked-about moments in Lynch’s surreal thriller. In it, she delivers a stunning Spanish-language rendition of Roy Orbison’s 'Crying,' moving the film’s lead characters played by Naomi Watts and Laura Harring to tears. Although the character collapses mid-song to reveal a lip-syncing twist, Del Rio actually sang live for every take to maintain emotional authenticity. “I’m a natural-born singer. I don’t know how to lip-sync,” she said in a 2022 interview with IndieWire.

Her collaboration with Lynch continued throughout her career. She performed in Twin Peaks: The Return in 2017 and remained a fixture at related fan events. Just two weeks before her death, she appeared at a charity screening of Mulholland Drive in Los Angeles.

Beyond Lynch’s work, Del Rio’s voice appeared in films like Sin City, Man on Fire, and Southland Tales. Her rendition of the U.S. national anthem in the latter was widely praised for its emotional depth.

Fans have taken to social media to honor her legacy. “There will never be another voice like hers,” one wrote. Another called her “unforgettable and unmatched.”