BIOGRAPHY

Chayanne – A singer from Puerto Rico, his real name Elmer Figueroa Arce, was born 29 June 1968, in the morning. Thanks to doctor´s mistaken entry on his birth certificate, his official date of birth is 28 June. Place of birth is Rio Piedras, in the suburb San Juan. As a baby he moved with his parents (Quintin and Irma) and with his older brother and sister (Kenny and Clara) to San Lorenzo that he calls his home. Chayanne is the middle child from five sibs. His younger brothers are Elliot and Emanoel. His baby nickname gave birth to his stage name. This nickname was from his mother, which she got from the western TV show, Cheyenne, which she loved. This nickname was so successful that nobody uses his real name.

He entered a competition to join the boy’s band Menudo (Ricky Martin came from it) in 70‘s but he was told he was too young. That is why he became a member of another boy´s band called Los Chicos which had a lot of big hit songs such as Puerto Rico Son Los Chicos, Ave Maria, Pensando En Ti.

In 1983, Chayanne left the group and began singing solo. In this year he contracted with recording company RCA Ariola and made a recording of his first album Chayanne Es Mi Nombre, which was released in 1984. In 1986, he released his second album Sangre Latina produced by RCA company . Both of them were intended only for sale in Mexico.

In 1987, he moved to Sony Music company and in 1988 he released his album Tu Pirata Soy Yo, it’s was the theme for the tv novela Sombras De Pasado. In this year, Chayanne became a spokesman of Pepsi company, and he started nationwide publicity campaign in English and in Spanish in the whole USA in process of performing and presenting at the Latin Grammy Awards. Year 1988 was a success for being nominated and winning; Chayanne was awarded for the best international video for his song Esté Ritmo Se Baila Así. The video was in Hit Parade 65 weeks and it earned him his first nomination of Grammy Award in Latin Pop Music category in 1989. His next album was issued 28 December of the same year and his song Fiesta En América helped him get publicity in USA.

The next milestone in his career was the album Provócame from year 1992. Rounded and worldly Chayanne enjoyed big success with title song of this album and hit El Centro De Mi Corazón. He received the Ambassador Extraordinary of International imigration institution OSN.

In 1994, he recorded the album Influencias, it was devoted to the singers who influenced him in some way or other. Among others La Vida Sigue Igual von Julio Iglesias, Amada Amante von Robert Carlos and Querida von Juan Gabriel. This album wasn´t well received and he ended his contract with his manager Gustavo Sánchez.

Chayanne, the first singer of his generation, who appeared in Playgirl magazine, even though he remained dressed. He appeared as a young talent from Puerto Rico in the front page of many other American magazines.

In the year 1994, he realized his dreams for working in a feature movie in his own country. This movie was Linda Sara, in which he played lead role together with Dayanara Torres, Miss Universe 1993. The movie was produced and directed by Jacobo Morales. His previous film got Oscar nominations as the best foreign film in 1990.

The album Volver A Nacer from the year 1996 gave Chayanne back the top in musical world. This album opened the way to contract with Mexico Televisa. He acted in an autobiographical lead as a exclusive artist of this produce company in TV series Volver A Empezar.

In 1998, in the middle of rebirth his musical career, he appeared in cinemas in the film Dance With Me, Baila Conmigo next to Vanessa Williams. All-round artist held critics´ interest with his dance abilities. He sang musical items and duets with V.Williams Refugio De Amor/You´re My Home in Spanish and English language subsets too.

Toward the end of the decade, he reinforced his standing in the popular music world with his seventh solo album Atado A Tu Amor. This album got him a second nomination in Latin Grammy for Popular ballad category in 1999. He emulated with internationally recognized colleauge Ricky Martin and his album Vuelve here.

In 2000 Chayanne recorded his 8th album Simplemente with hit Candela. His international tour brought took him to Spain and he debuted in France. Chile opened its doors to by awarding him with honors at the Viña del Mar Music Festival for the second time.

The album Grandes Exitos from 2002 summarises all his 28th years solo career. It includes big hits as Dejaria Todo, Salomé, Sentada En Mi Alma….., but also some new songs, such as Torero and Y Tu Te Vas.

The very successful album Sincero followed in 2003. It includes super hits such as Un Singlo Sin Ti and Caprichosa. This album was well received, not only fans, but also musical critics. In these songs Chayanne returns to his island roots and rhythms that accompanied him from childhood.

In 2005, he produced many albums, which included a special Austrailian release of his Desde Siempre and anotoher regular album, Cautivo, which included hit songs Echo De Menos, No Sé Por Qué and No Te Preocupes Por Mi.

The year 2007 was distingiuished not only by next album Mi Tiempo (with hit Si Nos Quedara Poco Tiempo), but also by start the most extensive tour Chayanne´s career. Chayanne spent 18 months as he traveled to more than 30 countries in four continents and produced 127 concerts. From this tour came album/DVD VIVO. This album was recorded during a live concert in River Plate Stadium in Buenos Aires. More than 60 000 fans arrived in this concert so that they could enjoy one of Chayanne´s sellout concerts.

After this exacting tour, Chayanne took a long time off and came back with his new album No Hay Imposibles from 23. 2. 2010. This album has been met with vigorous enthusiasm from his fans.

Chayanne is prototype of ideal husband and father. He guards his privacy. His wife is Marilisa Maronese, a lawyer and finalist Miss Venezuela from year 1988. They have two children together – son Lorenzo Valentino (1997), named in honour of Chayanne´s Puerto Rico home, and daughter Isadora Sofia (2000).

And a little more trivia for fans:

Chay likes dark chocolate and creole cuisine. He´s ticklish and he doesn´t sing in the shower. He likes black and red color. His ideal is a restful sleep of eight hours and then to start his day after lunch. His tip to slimness is dancing.

And for them with interest about the most personail details:

Chay sleeps naked, covered only with bed sheet. If he is cold, he puts on a T-shirt (but only T-shirt).