Luis Fonsi
Biography
Luis Alfonso Rodríguez López-Cepero, known professionally as Luis Fonsi, is a Puerto Rican singer, songwriter, and actor. He was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on April 15, 1978, to Alfonso Rodríguez and Delia López-Cepero. At the age of 10, his family moved to Orlando, Florida. In Orlando, he attended Dr. Phillips High School, where he was a member of an a cappella group called "The Big Guys," which also included future *NSYNC member Joey Fatone. Fonsi later attended Florida State University School of Music on a full scholarship, majoring in vocal performance. However, he chose to leave school to pursue a music career and was soon offered a recording contract with Universal Music Latin.
Career
Fonsi released his debut album, "Comenzaré" ("I Will Begin"), in 1998. The album was a commercial success, establishing him as a rising star in the Latin music scene. His second album, "Eterno" (2000), performed even better and solidified his popularity. Throughout the early 2000s, Fonsi continued to release successful albums, including "Amor Secreto" (2002) and "Abrazar la vida" (2003). His 2008 album, "Palabras del Silencio," featured the hit song "Aquí Estoy Yo," which won a Latin Grammy Award for Song of the Year.
"Despacito" and Global Stardom
In January 2017, Fonsi released "Despacito," a collaboration with fellow Puerto Rican artist Daddy Yankee. The song became a global phenomenon, topping the charts in nearly 50 countries. A remix featuring Canadian singer Justin Bieber further propelled its success, reaching number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. The music video for "Despacito" became the most-watched video on YouTube at the time. The song's massive success earned Fonsi numerous accolades, including four Latin Grammy Awards, and broke six Guinness World Records.
Later Work
Following the success of "Despacito," Fonsi has continued to release music and collaborate with various artists. He released the album "Vida" in 2019, which included the hit singles "Échame La Culpa" with Demi Lovato and "Calypso" with Stefflon Don. His subsequent albums include "Ley de Gravedad" (2022) and "El Viaje" (2024). Beyond his music career, Fonsi has also served as a coach on television shows like "The Voice". He has also been involved in philanthropic efforts, including raising aid for Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria.
Personal Life
Luis Fonsi married actress Adamari López in 2006. In 2005, Fonsi had paused his career to be with López after she was diagnosed with cancer. They divorced in 2010. In 2014, Fonsi married Spanish model Águeda López. They have two children together, a daughter named Mikaela, born in 2011, and a son named Rocco, born in 2016.