Her first experience on stage was at age 14, as a dancer in the Spanish Dance Company led by Maria Elena Anaya.

[3] In late July, she was part of an American tour with Lu and Motel and announced the release of her first album in August in the United States, which she promoted extensively.

She was also invited to participate in Hoy No Me Puedo Levantar, the Mexican musical based on the career and songs of the Spanish pop group Mecano.

She participated in El Show de los Sueños from September 30 to October 19, 2008,[4] finishing in fourth place.

[citation needed] In 2007, her first solo album, María José, was announced and the first single "Quien Eres Tu?

[7] Promotion of her second album began with a short performance as the opening act of Rihanna's Disturbia tour in Mexico City on January 24, 2009.

[citation needed] María José released her third album, Amante de lo Bueno,[10] on November 9, 2010.

[citation needed] María José released her fifth album, Habla Ahora worldwide on iTunes on October 21, 2016.

The first single, "Las Que Se Ponen Bien La Falda", featuring Puerto Rican rapper Ivy Queen, was released on May 13, 2016.

[17] In 2019, she became a judge of TV Azteca's México tiene talento and also became a host of Televisa's new drama series Esta historia me suena with Jen Carlo Bautista, in which she also appeared as an actress in a few episodes.

[18] On January 21, 2020, it was announced that she would return to TV Azteca, as a coach of La Voz with Ricardo Montaner, Belinda and Christian Nodal.

María José has said many times that a few of her major influences are Mariah Carey, Rocío Dúrcal, Mecano, Moenia, Celine Dion, Christina Aguilera, Madonna, Eugenia León and Boyz II Men.