Judy Torres

Not only is Judy Torres’s new single “I Don’t” a certified club scorcher, but it’s a track that hits you on an emotional level as well. Perhaps, what’s most impressive is that some twenty years into her prolific career, she’s still capable of delivering club-rattling cuts and belting out lyrics with unmatched fire and emotion. The song’s thumping beat is courtesy of longtime Torres collaborator Valentin, and the duo’s irrevocable chemistry is once again on full display. Listeners will also be drawn in by the song’s powerful wordplay. On the chorus, she sings the piercing lyrics, “Jesus loves you, I don’t,” – ouch. This is one of those hits destined to be an anthem amongst jilted and betrayed lovers everywhere. “Most of the songs I’ve recorded in the past have been so sweet and lovey-dovey,” Judy says. ““I Don’t” is great because it has bite and tells a story too - and also, I was finally able to show a different side of my emotional spectrum.”

For Judy, music has always been about feeling and emotion. Bitten by the singing bug since she was a little girl, she basically trained herself by studying icons like Barbara Streisand and Dennis DeYoung (the lead singer of Styx). She was eventually discovered at the age of 18, and released her first album Love Story on Profile Records in 1990. This project yielded hits like "No Reason to Cry", "Come Into My Arms,” "Love You, Will You Love Me," and allowed her to tour with stars like Gladys Knight, Tito Puente, Menudo, and Lisa Lisa. Her sophomore album My Soul dropped in 1992 garnering more critical acclaim and producing the single and video “I Love You for All Seasons.” Since then, there have been other Torres club hits like “Man With A Dream,” “Holding On,” and “Back In Your Arms Again,” which she recorded for other labels.

Also for the last ten years, Judy Torres has been an on-air personality on New York’s number one radio station WKTU. She hosts “The KTU Freestyle Free for All Show” on Sunday nights from 9pm-midnight on which she pumps out the freshest, trunk-shaking dance rhythms for her ever-expanding, tri-state audience. The broadcast is also available worldwide on the internet via www.KTU.com. Her show’s consistent high ratings coupled with Judy’s unshakeable popularity have earned her the regal title of “Queen of Freestyle.” Listen to the show one Sunday evening, and you can bid farewell to your Monday morning blues forever.

The last few years have brought important life-changing events for Judy. In 2005, she was diagnosed with MS, a disclosure which made her stop in her tracks and reevaluate her whole life. Never being one to lie down in the face of adversity, she took some time to assess the situation, and decided to choose courage and strength over dejection and defeat. She reshuffled her whole existence, getting rid of all the negative and dark elements, and made room for more light and love in her life. Ultimately, she made a vow to live every single day fully, without any regrets whatsoever. And as a testament to her indomitable inner-strength, she decided to come out publicly to her audience about her MS diagnosis. “I’m glad I told them,” Judy gushes. “I’ve never felt so loved and supported in my life. They were all so wonderful and loving.”

So what’s next for Ms. Torres? After all, her career to date has already featured so many spectacular highlights: a standing ovation at Madison Square Garden, amazing encounters with legends like Celia Cruz, Liza Minelli, Tito Puente & Gladys Knight, and most importantly, that amazing feeling of making peoples’ lives better with her God-given talent. But always the over-achiever, there’s much more Judy wants to accomplish. She plans to keep evolving musically, hopefully get married and start a family, and perhaps star in a Broadway show or two. She also has aspirations of finally winning that Grammy award she’s always wanted.

However, in conversation, what really stands out about Judy Torres is just how much she loves and adores her loyal fans. “I’m so grateful to all of them for giving me the greatest moments of my life,” Judy confides, “and I’m outrageously grateful for every single time I get to step on stage and sing for them – I am really and truly blessed.”

So yeah, you may know Judy Torres as the fierce dance diva with the golden vocals and magic stage presence, but beneath all that is also one of the sweetest and realest souls you’ll ever come across. If you ever get to meet her, you’ll surely find out for yourself.