Windy City Media Group Frontpage News

THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

home search facebook twitter join
Gay News Sponsor Windy City Times 2023-12-13
DOWNLOAD ISSUE
Donate

Sponsor
Sponsor
Sponsor

  IDENTITY

Angelo Garcia on music and Ricky Martin
by Ross Forman
2010-08-01

This article shared 17712 times since Sun Aug 1, 2010
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email


Angelo Garcia was 10 years old when, while on vacation with his family in Puerto Rico, his mom saw a commercial for Menudo auditions. She took him to the audition—and within a week was offered a recording contract with the band.

Luckily, the first album, Garcia, recorded with Menudo was an English-language album, Sons of Rock … because the youngster didn't know Spanish at the time.

Garcia ultimately spent three years with the popular boy band, and recorded three albums, including his all-time favorite Menudo song, "You Got Potential," which was the first song he ever recorded.

"The positive aspects of being in a boy band are, you have the support of other members and you do not feel alone when you are on stage," Garcia said. "I was able to learn how to be a pop star thanks to Menudo. The negative aspects are that I lost a huge chunk of my childhood and had to become an adult by the time I was 11 years old. That was a lot of responsibility and for someone being that young it sometimes is overwhelming.

"We were so famous and it was definitely a roller-coaster ride. I had a love-hate relationship with fame at that age because I loved the attention, but the problem with fame is that you cannot turn it off when you want your private time. As a child star, it was frustrating because I couldn't go to the movies, or the mall, or even to Disney World without being mobbed. I am a lot more prepared now and with the maturity to understand how to deal with fame, so if it ever happens again I will be ready.

"Menudo polished me as an artist and pop star and it prepared me for my next phases as an entertainer. I know how to work a stage, and I owe it to Menudo."

Now living in San Francisco, Garcia has grown into a 6-foot-1, 225-pound mass of muscle.

He is now rolling in the music scene solo.

"I am really lucky to have had the opportunity to record several solo albums," Garcia said. "Not many former Menudo members have been able to break into the market as a soloist; I am blessed that I have had that opportunity. I am so proud of my work as a solo artist and am excited for my future projects."

So far, it's been on the Spanish side of things; he's still looking to land his first English hit.

"An English hit would be a very special thing because it would be amazing to be able to have the opportunity to share my music with everyone in my country," Garcia said. "English is my first language, as I was born and raised a New Yorker. I feel that sometimes I can express myself better in English, so it would like the icing on a cake for me to be able to hear my music on American radio.

"I now am just a normal guy who has a passion for music and a desire to share it with the world. I feel like everyone is given a gift, and for me that gift is music. I am also a brother, a lover, a person who loves life, and wants to make my community proud and show the world that being gay is not a flaw and that we are just like everybody else."

Yes, Garcia is the other gay former Menudo member ( besides Ricky Martin ) , although he actually came out in January—before Martin confirmed his sexual orientation.

"A lot of the press tried to say I followed in his footsteps, but that was misleading to the public as they were mistaken," Garcia said. "I have publicly never denied being out, but even before the press took hold of the article that made news, I have been open since I was 17. This was mostly to my inner circle of friends and family."

Garcia said Martin "is an amazing artist. I know he is a dad now and I wish him the best with his two beautiful boys."

The two don't talk anymore, though—and it's not because of a falling-out.

"His life took him to stardom and our friendship has drifted," said Garcia, who added that he knew Martin was gay "for a very long time, but I would have never outed him."

"When he was ready to come out he would. I just didn't expect it to be so close to when I spoke about my sexuality. It's funny how life is."

Garcia said he was not surprised at all about the media onslaught when Martin revealed he was gay.

"Ricky Martin is a huge star and his coming-out was a big deal for the gay community, especially in the Hispanic market," Garcia said.

"I know who I am and I know my talent will make people realize that I have a lot to offer as an entertainer. Gay or not, all that matters is the music."

Garcia said he is now dating a man named John, though he would not reveal much more personal information. "He is my boo; I adore him," Garcia said.

Garcia's musical roots date back to when he was 3, "when my mother started teaching me how to harmonize," he said. "As long as I could talk, I could sing. I learned, 'The sun will come out tomorrow' from the musical Annie by age 5."

Today, he writes all of his songs, does all the vocal arrangements and sings background vocals. "Every harmony that you hear is me and I do not use any tricks or sound effects to enhance my voice or keep me on melody. What you hear is all me with no tricks," Garcia said. "I am actually working with Ahmed King, who has worked with Shakira. I love her music and I would love to record with her one day. We would make a sexy and hot track."

Garcia's hot sound of 2010 can be heard on the CD Scandalous, with 14 fun tracks that he is now working on.

"It is an electropop album that is sexy, edgy, and catchy," Garcia said. "I write from an organic place and I want this album to be fun, silly, and an album you would want to listen to riding in your car with the top down. I am currently shopping my album to major labels, so we will see what the future holds."

Want more Angelo Garcia? Here goes:

—On Menudo photos: "I have seen myself my entire life, so I still look the same in my eyes; my body has changed, but my face is pretty much an adult version of who I was as a kid."

—What's ahead: "Live life and keep writing music. Love my Boyfriend and hopefully one day get married and have a family of my own. The most predictable thing about life is it's unpredictability and I am on this ride until my journey is over."

—It's a fact: Has a three-pound Chihuahua named Trixie

—Favorite band: Black Eyed Peas

—Favorite musician: Lady Gaga, right now

—Favorite pro sport: Baseball

—Favorite pro team: New York Yankees

—Favorite pro athlete: John Cena

—Favorite TV show: "Gee, that is a hard one because it always changes. I love the Housewives of New York City, and [ the Housewives of ] New Jersey is also campy fun."

—Favorite movie: Avatar

—On Chicago: Has been to the Windy City many times and has many friends who live here: "I even sang [ in Chicago ] as a member of Menudo. Chicago is a beautiful city and I love it! There is great culture, beautiful architecture, and good shopping. I try to avoid it in the winter ,though, as it is called the Windy City for good reason."

—Complete the sentence: If I had to do it all over again ... "I wouldn't change a thing!"

For more about Angelo Garcia, go to www.angelopop.com , or on Twitter ( AngeloPOPmusic ) .


This article shared 17712 times since Sun Aug 1, 2010
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email

Out and Aging
Presented By

  ARTICLES YOU MIGHT LIKE

Gay News

'Rumors' performers create alternative drag playground 2024-03-24
- At first glance, Dorian's Through The Record Shop (1939 W. North Ave.) looks like a brightly-lit shop with a handful of records on the wall, but there's a secret world behind those unassuming shelves. Visitors are ...


Gay News

SHOWBIZ Queer musicians, Marvel situation, Elliot Page, Nicole Kidman 2024-03-21
- Queer musician Joy Oladokun released the single "I Wished on the Moon," from Jack Antonoff's official soundtrack for the new Apple TV+ series The New Look, per a press release. The soundtrack, ...


Gay News

THEATER Chicago's City Lit has anxiety on tap with 'Two Hours in a Bar' 2024-03-21
- Two Hours in a Bar Waiting for Tina Meyer by Kristine Thatcher with material by Larry Shue Text Me by Kingsley Day (Book, Music and Lyrics). At: City Lit Theater, 1020 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.. Tickets: ...


Gay News

Lollapalooza announces lineup; SZA, Skrillex among headliners 2024-03-19
- Lollapalooza has released its line-up for the event that's taking place Aug. 1-4 at Grant Park. Headliners include SZA, Blink-182, Skrillex, The Killers, Hozier, Melanie Martinez and Stray Kids, among others. Some of the other acts ...


Gay News

Jamie Barton brings nuances of identity to her Lyric Opera 'Aida' performance 2024-03-18
- Chicago's Lyric Opera is currently featuring a production of Giuseppe Verdi's Aida starring Michelle Bradley as Aida, Jamie Barton as Amneris and Russell Thomas as Radamès. The opera runs through April 7, 2024, with Francesca Zambello ...


Gay News

SHOWBIZ Lady Gaga, 'P-Valley,' Wendy Williams, Luke Evans, 'Queer Eye,' 'Transition' 2024-03-15
- Lady Gaga came to the defense of Dylan Mulvaney after a post with the trans influencer/activist for International Women's Day received hateful responses, People Magazine noted. On Instagram, Gaga stated, "It's appalling to me that a ...


Gay News

House-music festival on Aug. 30-Sept. 1; icons, Idris Elba to be part of it 2024-03-13
- The ARC Music Festival—an event celebrating house music—will take place Aug. 30-Sept. 1 at Chicago's Union Park, per WGN-TV. This will mark the fourth year that the festival will celebrate the genre at Union Park—less than ...


Gay News

COBRAH slithers into Chicago and brings Feminine Energy 2024-03-08
- COBRAH snaked her way into Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St., for two nights March 7 and 8 for her Succubus Tour. This Swedish-born talent has a way with naughty words and ...


Gay News

SHOWBIZ Jinkx Monsoon, Xavier Dolan, 'Frida,' Lena Waithe, out singer 2024-03-08
- Two-time RuPaul's Drag Race winner Jinkx Monsoon is headed back to the New York stage, joining off-Broadway's Little Shop of Horrors as Audrey beginning April 2, according to Playbill. The casting makes Monsoon the first drag ...


Gay News

Queer Eye's Jai Rodriguez is set to slay at The Big Gay Cabaret 2024-03-05
- Out and proud performer Jai Rodriguez is set to play at The Big Gay Cabaret this March for three days. Presented by RuPaul Drag Racer Ginger Minj, this monthly series highlights the wide world of cabaret ...


Gay News

THEATER 'R & J' puts a female, queer spin on Shakespeare 2024-03-05
- Romeo and Juliet is the theatrical gift that keeps on giving. It's been reworked for the masses numerous times, whether in direct adaptations or musicals such as West Side Story. Shakespeare's plotline points have even inspired ...


Gay News

THEATER When growth is paramount: Jim Corti helps fuel Aurora theater expansion 2024-03-01
- Out actor/director/choreographer Jim Corti made his Broadway debut in 1974, in the ensemble of Leonard Bernstein's musical Candide. Director Harold Prince's acclaimed Tony Award-winning revival is often cited as a ...


Gay News

SHOWBIZ Queer actors, icons duet, Hunter Schafer, Oscars, Elizabeth Taylor 2024-03-01
- Queer actor Kal Penn is set to star in Trust Me, I'm a Doctor—a film that chronicles the final days of actress/model Anna Nicole Smith, whose overdose death in 2007 at age 39 sparked a tabloid ...


Gay News

'Always Olivia' celebrates Olivia Newton-John at Raue Center 2024-02-26
- From a press release: Always Olivia, a tribute to one of the most celebrated and beloved pop culture icons of all time, the late Olivia Newton-John comes to Raue Center in Crystal Lake on Saturday, May ...


Gay News

Samuel Savoir-Faire Williams's violin stylings help COH mark Black History Month 2024-02-23
- As part of its celebration of Black History Month, Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St., presented a solo jazz performance by violinist Samuel Savoir-Faire Williams on Feb. 21. The two-hour long performance presented a showcase ...


 


Copyright © 2024 Windy City Media Group. All rights reserved.
Reprint by permission only. PDFs for back issues are downloadable from
our online archives.

Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, and
photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and no
responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials.

All rights to letters, art and photos sent to Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago
Gay and Lesbian News and Feature Publication) will be treated
as unconditionally assigned for publication purposes and as such,
subject to editing and comment. The opinions expressed by the
columnists, cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are
their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay,
Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature Publication).

The appearance of a name, image or photo of a person or group in
Nightspots (Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times
(a Chicago Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature
Publication) does not indicate the sexual orientation of such
individuals or groups. While we encourage readers to support the
advertisers who make this newspaper possible, Nightspots (Chicago
GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay, Lesbian
News and Feature Publication) cannot accept responsibility for
any advertising claims or promotions.

 
 

TRENDINGBREAKINGPHOTOS







Sponsor


 



Donate


About WCMG      Contact Us      Online Front  Page      Windy City  Times      Nightspots
Identity      BLACKlines      En La Vida      Archives      Advanced Search     
Windy City Queercast      Queercast Archives     
Press  Releases      Join WCMG  Email List      Email Blast      Blogs     
Upcoming Events      Todays Events      Ongoing Events      Bar Guide      Community Groups      In Memoriam     
Privacy Policy     

Windy City Media Group publishes Windy City Times,
The Bi-Weekly Voice of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans Community.
5315 N. Clark St. #192, Chicago, IL 60640-2113 • PH (773) 871-7610 • FAX (773) 871-7609.