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Who Is Luis Fonsi?
Luis Fonsi, a prominent Puerto Rican singer, songwriter, and musician, was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. At the age of 10, he relocated with his family to Orlando, Florida, where he further cultivated his passion for music, learning to play both the guitar and piano. Fonsi’s musical journey took a significant turn in 1995 when he won a full scholarship to the Florida State University School of Music, majoring in vocal performance. Shortly thereafter, he signed with Universal Music Latin, releasing his debut album, Comenzaré (I Will Begin), in 1998. The album received both critical acclaim and commercial success, establishing Fonsi’s career. Since then, he has released seven additional studio albums and toured globally, but it was the 2017 single “Despacito” that catapulted him to international stardom.
Early Years
Born to Alfonso Rodríguez and Delia “Tata” López-Cepero, Fonsi is the eldest of four siblings, including Jean Rodríguez, Tatiana Rodríguez, and Ramón do Salotti. From a young age, he was enamored with music, aspiring to join Menudo, one of Latin America’s most renowned boy bands. Upon moving to Florida, Fonsi participated in several local boy bands, including Big Guys, where he formed a lasting friendship with future *NSYNC member Joey Fatone. In 1995, he enrolled at Florida State University, where he joined the choir and performed with the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. His involvement with the choir allowed him to travel internationally and record numerous demos, which ultimately led to a recording contract with Universal Music Latin.
‘Despacito’ Makes History
Released in January 2017, Fonsi’s Despacito, featuring Daddy Yankee, became an unprecedented pop phenomenon, dominating the charts in nearly 50 countries. It achieved a historic milestone as the first Spanish-language song to enjoy a prolonged run on the U.S. Top 40. By August 2017, the music video became the most-watched video on YouTube, surpassing four-and-a-half billion views and setting records for the fastest rise to such a milestone. Additionally, Despacito became the most streamed song in history. In April 2017, pop superstar Justin Bieber expressed interest in remixing the song, which Fonsi embraced, noting, “I think it’s amazing that such a big worldwide act wanted to sort of appeal to the Latin audience.” The song received multiple accolades, winning both Record of the Year and Song of the Year at the Latin Grammys in November 2017. It also garnered nominations for Record of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 2018 Grammy Awards, making history as the first Spanish-language song to be nominated for Song of the Year.
Puerto Rico Hurricane Recovery Effort
The music video for Despacito was filmed in La Perla, a historic neighborhood in Puerto Rico that Fonsi had intended to support with improvements. However, following Hurricane Maria’s devastating impact on the island in September 2017, Fonsi shifted his focus to relief efforts. He initiated a fund aimed at rebuilding La Perla, emphasizing its vibrant community and the urgent need for assistance. In October 2017, Fonsi, alongside fellow celebrities such as Chayanne, Ricky Martin, and Nicky Jam, traveled to Puerto Rico to provide essential supplies, including generators, food, clothing, and baby items.
Personal Life and Wife
On June 3, 2006, Fonsi married actress Adamari López in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. The couple announced their separation in November 2009, with their divorce finalized in 2010. Fonsi later married Spanish model Agueda López on September 10, 2014, in Napa Valley. They share two children: a daughter, Mikaela, born on December 20, 2011, and a son, Rocco, born five years later on December 20, 2016.