TEEN ARGENTINA MAGAZINE- MAY 1999Translated by Analía T.
"CHAYANNE TIED TO HIS LOVE"
Chayanne talks about his life, his dreams, love and goals.
"Some people may think that I had no childhood because of music, because I had to leave Puerto Rico at 10; but I don´t see it in that way, I think I am who I am because of all that I had; and yes, I had a happy childhood"
It´s not easy to find an artist with the sensibility and humanity of
Chayanne. Succesfull and responsible in his work, with a charming and humble personality,
and having a gift of conquest that makes him shine in any stage. It was precisely with
this subject with which we started the interview with the handsome singer. After so many
years of being artist, of being so famous and surrounded by the glamour that this
career has; popularity did not go to this Puerto Rican´s head and he never was involved
in any scandal. Up to now he has done everything…. Perfect!, and because of that the
public loves him!
"I´m a grateful man", the singer says, who is in the middle of a very intense tour that will keep him very busy during some time (Argentina, Chile, Brasil, Italy, USA, Puerto Rico, France, Germany, etc.) Now he is promoting "Atado a tu amor" his latest CD (Sony Music) a production that has different styles, infectious rhythms, maturity and domain as never seen on him before.
Name: Elmer Figueroa Arce
Date of birth: June 28th, 1968
Place: Puerto Rico
Sign: Cancer
Quality: Honesty
Feature: Calm
Favourite food: The Puerto Rican food
Free Time: "I like to be in the peace of my home"
Religion: I´m Catholic because of my parents. God has helped me a lot.
He describes himself as: He likes to be with his friends and family.
What do you expect from life?: Happiness and positivism.
Goals: "To be the best, like Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Sandro or Julio
Iglesias. They inspired me to create my style
"I appreciate every moment I live, to be grateful is to thank God, to recognize that you have a mother, a father, friends who support and help you; to fulfil each given word, to respect everybody, to be able to express yourself, to do everything with love. That is my Bible… to work in unity and love". Definitively, these last words have been keys that led him to obtain outstanding recognitions: two Grammy Award nominations, sold out concerts, platinum and gold records, appearances in important American TV Shows such as The Oprah Winfrey Show, Regis and Kathie Lee, the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and the dream of every artist: to work in Hollywood.
When you speak with Chayanne times goes by very quickly.We remember his
beginning… that time at the Madison Square Garden, in New York, with "Los
Chicos" (he was 10), a musical group that was very popular in all the Caribbean
countries and in Central America. At the age of 17 he launched his first solo album, with
a very particular pop romantic style, and since then his career has not stopped growing.
"In that moment I realized that I wanted to be a singer… that this would be my
life, my world. From that moment on, the work was step by step. They have been years of
preparation, study and rehearsal. I confess that I have grown little by little, but I´m
achieving my goals: to be known by the whole world and to consolidate myself as a singer
and actor, also in Hollywood".
Yes, Chayanne is known for working as an ant: nothing stops him when he has a project in his mind and rest seems to be an obstacle to him when he has not checked every detail. "I´m perfectionist and demanding at the same time. When I start something I finish it, and I like that everything turns out the best way", he says in a humble way, as always. Precisely, that dedication led him to Hollywood. The movie "Dance with me" where he starred along with Vanessa Williams, has opened new markets for him such as Australia, Japan, Southafrica, and India. Critics have recognized his merits as actor and dancer, discovering the movie as a "West Side Story" of the 90´s and Chayanne as the new Latin heartthrob of Hollywood".
Although that had been his big dream- to work in "the
capital of movies" – in his beloved Puerto Rico he acted in the movie
"Linda Sara", a movie by Jacobo Morales, he was in many tv shows and soap operas
such as "Pobre Juventud" and "Volver a Empezar". In this moment he is
not involved in other projects but the he has been offered two movies for the end of this
year. His agent, Ed Limato, manages actors such as Mel Gibson, Wynona Rider, Denzel
Washington and Michelle Pfeiffer.
Chayanne deserves all that success. On stage, this artist performs an spectacle that is much more than a simple concert of songs. The characteristics that mark his personality are freshness, movement and spontaneity that he has in his concerts, and don´t forget a strong dose of sensuality and romanticism. This scenographic display is, without no doubt, related to his facet as an actor.
"I feel very lucky. I´m a big worker, but that little bit of luck is important, and thank God, I have it".
How has been Chayanne in these last years? How does he balance his career of singer, actor, and his role as father and husband? The answer was very quick… and with a cry from the bottom of his heart , he exclaimed : Happyyyyyyyyyy!! I´m happy with all the things that are happening to me. It is true that the most difficult thing of this career is to be away from the people I love so much, to be so many hours on a plane and to be so many months away from home. But it is nice, for example, to be in Argentina with 400 girls in front of the hotel calling me, screaming my name, and acclaiming me. To be awaited at the airport and followed by a caravan of cars… that in the shows people sing and dance with me… those are the satisfactions and rewards that motivate me to go on and be the best I can".
"What else can I say?" I´m super happy with my family, with the way I have developed as a human being. I would not change anything that I have done nor anything of me as a person, and if I be born again, I would like to be the same I am now… with the same virtues and defects".
When we talk about little Lorenzo, son of his union with the Venezuelan Marilisa Maronesse, Chayanne gets even more moved: "to be a father is such a happiness. I am learning, Lorenzo is teaching me to be a father. With him I ´m taking my first grades: Ah! and with good marks", says in a nice way, but expressing now seriously: "You don´t appreciate the love of your parents until you have children. It is very hard to have the support of your family and to get noticed of good and bad things by phone. I need my family, I would like to be every day with them; for that reason, the few moments we spend together are the best ones", he added with emotion.
We finish the interview. We say goodbye to an artist who longs for going on growing as a professsional, a man who every day makes an effortt to be a better human being, father and husband. A very special person, who has a great sensibility, sweetness, innocent eyes and noble smile. An artist who has a main goal: to leave a deep mark in the hearts of his public. Go on Chayanne… the world is yours·