RBD Delivers Nostalgia, Euphoria and All the Hits During Chicago Show: 8 Best Moments From the Soy Rebelde Tour Stop

From women to men and even kids, everyone was wearing their Elite Way School (the boarding school from the Rebelde telenovela, where RBD was born) uniform. And if you weren’t wearing that outfit — which required denim, a button-down white shirt and the striped tie — you were probably wearing a pink cowboy hat, as an homage to Mía Colucci’s (played by Anahí) music video for “Sálvame.” The fact that everyone there was in uniform was not only impressive, it also speaks volumes to RBD’s lasting influence on pop culture across generations.

The stadium went dark a little past 8 p.m. and fans roared — some cried — as the show was about to kick off. “After 15 years, our hearts finally reunite,” Anahí’s voice was heard. “We’re breaking barriers. Today, we unleash our energy.” Then, the fabulous five were a vision, wearing sparkly outfits, standing on a floating pedestal, taking in the crowd’s screams and applause. Anahí, Dulce María, Christopher, Maite and Christian kicked off the two-hour show with bangers “Tras De Mí” and “Un Poco De Tu Amor.”

The last time RBD performed in Chicago was back in 2008 at the Allstate Arena. On Thursday, they performed at a stadium with a capacity of more than 40,000. “How are you tonight, Chicago?” Christian asked the rebeldes in attendance. “You don’t know what it feels like to see you all again. To see you again after many years. It’s very impressive. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts,” Dulce María said after performing the first two songs. To which Maite added, “RBD never left. Thank you for being here. Thank you for all the years of love.”

“Arriba las mujeres!,” Dulce María declared, sharing the stage with Anahí and Maite. “We’re so happy to be here after so many years. We’re now older, with more experience, stronger, more united. Let’s not compete with each other. Let’s create an alliance. We welcome all women that are here to join us three — who are now moms. We’re more united than ever.” The three went on to sing a medley of hits, including “Enséñame” and “Así Soy Yo.”

Christopher took the spotlight to sing a solo version of the ballad “Inalcanzable.” He started off by letting the crowd sing the beginning of the track. He was clearly blown away at how fans put so much pathos into the delivery. Then, it was his turn to sing, and he did while playing the piano at first — and then walked down the stage’s runway to end the song closer to the crowd. “Tonight, we are one,” he told his fans.

Wearing a rosa mexicano-colored mariachi suit, Christian — who fully embraced his queer identity onstage — delivered a chilling version of the bilingual “Tu Amor,” backed by a live mariachi. “Today, I want say a few words because for many years I kept apologizing,” he addressed the crowd. “I was being someone who I wasn’t. You know what? I’ve really had it. Nobody will tell me who to be. Nobody will tell me who I can love. I know who I am. To my parents, my fans, to Mexico, my culture, Chicago, I love you.”

Before taking the stage with her signature pink cowboy hat, Anahí spoke via emotional video voiceover: “Today, we connect again to that vulnerable side. We’re here without fear. We’re here just as we are. Perfectly imperfect. Today, we are strong. We’ve healed. Thank you for not forgetting me.” She then took the stage, wearing pink from head to toe, to sing her anthem “Sálvame,” a highly anticipated moment of the night. Thousands of fans sang with Anahí, who asked everyone to take that moment to reflect: “What would your tell your 2005 heart? Don’t sing this song to me, dedicate it to yourself. Tell your heart, we’ve been saved.”

RBD closed the show in an epic and nostalgic way. As fans screamed “Rebelde! Rebelde!” five mannequins — wearing the iconic Elite Way School red blazer — appeared onstage. People rushed toward the front of the stage knowing this would be the last song. Anahí, Dulce María, Christian, Christopher and Maite, now wearing the blazers, performed “Rebelde” — the song that started it all, the one that soundtracked an entire generation’s teenage years. It was the perfect sign off for the perfect night. A declaration: Y soy Rebelde!