Charo may be forever associated with the disco-soaked television of the 1970s, but the performer has never stopped moving or commanding attention.
The Spanish-born actress, singer, and flamenco guitarist rose to pop culture immortality through appearances on Laugh In, Fantasy Island, The Love Boat, and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, becoming instantly recognizable for her boundless energy, glamorous presence, and trademark phrase, “cuchi cuchi.” More than five decades later, she is still very much in motion, and very much herself.
In a recent conversation with Parade, Charo reflected on the unlikely origin of the phrase that became her calling card. As she explained, “cuchi cuchi” wasn’t invented as a catchphrase at all, but inspired by a wounded dog her grandmother rescued when Charo was a child.
The dog, nicknamed Cuchillo, meaning “knife,” wiggled as it moved due to its injuries. Charo mimicked that motion as a young girl, repeating the sound playfully. The response she got was immediate. “Every time I say that, they give me money,” she told Parade. “I became a rich b—ch at the age of three and four.”
That playful spirit remains intact. Over the holidays, Charo delighted fans with a Christmas video in which she appeared pants-free, wearing only snow boots and a turtleneck while reading her letter to Santa. The moment quickly made the rounds online, a reminder that few entertainers of her generation have embraced social media with such unapologetic flair.
In 2025, Charo also revisited her musical legacy, re-releasing her 1977 album Cuchi Cuchi with five additional tracks. The album is now available on vinyl for the first time since its original release. According to Parade, Charo has cited Dance a Little Bit Closer as her favorite track from the record.
As for slowing down, that is not part of the plan. Speaking to Parade, Charo joked that she suffers from what she calls “ants in my pants,” an inability to stop moving, creating, and telling her mind. She shared ambitions for a future podcast and expressed a desire to help younger generations find balance, education, and connection.
Decades after her rise to fame, Charo remains a rare figure in entertainment: instantly iconic, fiercely original, and still dancing to her own rhythm.
Cuchi. Cuchi.
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