Chiquis Rivera received a lot of criticism for her Premios Juventud performance.

Many thought that she was just emulating her mother, the late Jenni Rivera. But her uncle, Juan Rivera, defended Chiquis' performance in an interview with TV y Novelas.

"My niece is a very brave woman," he said. "She had the best schooling possible."

Though people saw Jenni's strength through her music and her performances, Juan said that Chiquis lived through it and learned from her mother.

He added that Chiquis will also be successful because she will grow in her talent.

"I would dare to say that even though she doesn't have talent, her tenacity will take her very far," Juan said. "The Rivera family didn't start with talent. Listen to Jenni's first productions, listen to mine and Lupillo's. Chiquis sings better now than when Jenni started."

Either way, he thinks that Chiquis has got something special, which has made her beloved on social media. And he thanks all the people who are doubting her because they are just fueling her.

Juan and Chiquis talk every day, he said.

Sometimes it's for something silly, but other times it's to offer her advice. He tells her not to give in to fear and to work hard.

"My dad always says it's not important to be the most talented because love and effort can take you very far," he said.

He also had a message to those who ask Chiquis how she can even dare try to replace Jenni: As her daughter, she is more entitled than anyone else to fill that void. Many other women will try, but Chiquis has the most right.

Chiquis has released her video for "Esa No Soy Yo," which she sang at this month's Premios Juventud.

The video seeks to empower women with other women sharing their difficult experiences, such as one talking about crossing the border and another explaining she was in an abusive relationship.

Related