Wendolee Ayala participated in the first season of "La Academia," and though she didn't take home the grand prize, her career has continued to grow.

The 30-year-old singer is now living in the United States and is focused on what's to come with her career. She opened up to TV Notas about where she is in life.

"I have plans for a new record, and I'm already working on it," she said. "In two weeks, I'll be going to the studio to record in Los Angeles. It's a beautiful project, where we'll have acoustic songs. Plus, I have many projects to finish, such as the third part of my album 'Wendolee,' and I'm very focused on my family."

The singer added that her marriage was going well, and that he's been very supportive.

Ayala, who has been singing in the regional Mexican genre, said she has been compared to Rivera.

"Always," she said. "Since I first dedicated myself to banda music. The comparisons will always exist, and it's an honor for someone to group me with Jenni. She left a giant void and a great legacy. She's an icon of Mexican music in the United States and Mexico. So any woman who sings banda is not exempt from Jenni comparisons. It's already happened to Graciela and Diana Reyes."

It's been more than a decade since she was on "La Academia," but she says that she still keeps in touch with some of them and that they are in contact with each other almost every day.

She currently doesn't have plans to duet with any of them for her album, but it is something she is interested in.

The singer says that she's always dealt with critics, so she definitely doesn't worry about what they have to say.

"Since I was a young girl I've lived with critics," she said. "It was either because I was overweight or because they said I couldn't sing, but after 12 years [off the reality show], I can say that I feel happy with my musical evolution. I've prepared myself and i think the difference is profound."