Early life

Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on April 15, 1978 to parents Alfonso Rodriguez and Delia "Tata" Lopez-Cepero. Fonsi and his family later moved to Orlando, Florida, during Fonsi's early childhood. Fonsi has two younger siblings; Tatiana Rodriguez and Jean Rodriguez who is also a singer.

In 1995, Fonsi enrolled at Florida State University to study music. He also joined the school's choir and sang with the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.

Career

In July 9, 2011, Billboard named Luis Fonsi "Leader of Latin Music's New Generation"

After graduating from Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando, Fonsi decided to better prepare himself for a future, stable career inside show business. He was offered a full scholarship to attend Florida State University School of Music. while he was finishing his degree in Vocal Performance, he began to record demo tapes in Miami. Soon after that he was offered a recording contract by Universal Music Latino.

In 1998, Fonsi recorded his debut album, Comenzaré (I Will Begin). The record peaked at number 11 on Billboard's Top Latin Albums chart and contained the singles "Si Tu Quisieras," "Perdóname," "Dime Como," and "Me Iré". Comenzaré became an instant hit in Puerto Rico and across Latin America, with Fonsi conquering such markets as Colombia, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Mexico, and Venezuela. His 2000 follow-up, Eterno, was even more successful. Around this time, Fonsi also recorded a duet with Christina Aguilera for her 2000 Spanish-Language album, Mi Reflejo. By then, Fonsi's fame had reached Europe, as he became a celebrity in Spain as well. Also in the year 2000 Fonsi participated in Jubilee 2000, where he sang to Pope John Paul II. That same year Ednita Nazario won a Latin Grammy for a song composed by Fonsi. He also collaborated in honor of the victims of 9-11 at the White House, along with other artists.

His fifth CD, Abrazar la Vida, sold very well, which opened new markets in Europe. "Quien te Dijo Eso?" reached #1 on the Billboard Latin charts. His sixth CD, Paso a Paso debuted #1 and, launched him into international markets. "Nada es Para Siempre" also reached #1 on the music chart, and was a nominee for the Latin Grammy Awards. In 2006, he contributed on a tribute cd to Victor Yturbe "El Piruli" singing the classic bolero Historia de un amor.

His seventh CD, Palabras del Silencio debuted and stayed in the #1 position for many weeks. Luis Fonsi cracked the Billboard Hot 100 for the first time in September 2008 with his song "No Me Doy Por Vencido", debuting at number 98 and peaking at number 92. It reached #1 on the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks, his biggest hit to date. His song "No Me Doy Por Vencido" became Billboard's Latin Pop Song Of The Decade. It managed to stay 21 weeks #1 spot of the "Hot Latin Songs Chart"

November 2009, Luis Fonsi was awarded a Latin Grammy for song of the year for his composition "Aqui Estoy Yo".

On December 11, 2009, Fonsi performed in Oslo, Norway, at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert honoring winner Barack Obama.

Luis Fonsi latest album "Tierra Firme" became available on June 28, 2011, and includes international hits "gritar" plus "respira" and "claridad".

He did a tour promoting "Tierra Firme" throughout Latin America.

On February 2014 he started promoting his new single "Corazon En La Maleta" to promote his upcoming album "8" referring to his eight career album. He also mentioned that acting would be on his career path and that he wouldn't mind acting with the Mexican actors and actresses.

Acting career

In 2004, Fonsi made his acting debut in a Mexican telenovela named Corazones al límite in which he played Roy. He also had a special appearance in 2001 in the Nickelodeon television series Taina. Luis Fonsi joined successfully the cast of Broadway's Forever Tango for a two-week engagement, August 20 through September 1 of 2013.

Personal life

In 2003, Fonsi began to become romantically interested in actress Adamari López, who, as an Univision artist and fellow Puerto Rican, constantly found herself near Fonsi. That same year, Fonsi released the song "Abrazar la Vida" ("To Embrace the Life"), off the eponymous album. The song would later become one of Lopez's favorites.

In 2004, rumors were reported by magazines, television news shows, and newspapers that he and Lopez had committed to marry each other. During 2005, Fonsi was in the middle of an international tour that would have had him away from home for many months; the tour was abruptly cancelled when Lopez was diagnosed with cancer. Fonsi promised her to stay by her side, and has traveled with her back and forth between Mexico, Miami, and Puerto Rico for various treatment and work-related trips. She has been in remission since 2006.

On June 3, 2006, Fonsi and Adamari López were married in a religious ceremony in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico attended by many celebrities including Joey Fatone, Charytín, Ednita Nazario, and Carlos Ponce, as well as his brother — aspiring singer Jean Rodriguez, who goes simply by Jan as his professional name. On November 8, 2010, they officially divorced.

Fonsi and Spanish model Águeda López had their first child together, a girl they named Mikaela, on December 20, 2011 in Miami. They got married in September 10, 2014 after three years living together with their child.

Fonsi is also the Spanish-language spokesman for the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. He has two nieces named Valeria and Sara Aisa.

Discography

Main article: Luis Fonsi discography

Studio Albums

• Comenzaré (1998)
• Eterno (2000)
• Amor Secreto (2002)
• Abrazar la Vida (2003)
• Paso a Paso (2005)
• Palabras del Silencio (2008)
• Tierra Firme (2011)
• 8 (2014)

Compilations

• Remixes (2001)
• Fight the Feeling (2002)
• Éxitos 98:06 (2006)
• Romances (2013)

DVDs

• Luis Fonsi Live (2004)
• Éxitos 98:06 Los Videos (2006)

Tours

• Comenzaré Tour (1998-1999)
• Eterno Tour (2000-2001)
• Amor Secreto Tour (2002)
• Abrazar La Vida Tour (2003-2004)
• Paso a Paso (2005-2006)
• Palabras del Silencio Tour (2009-2010)
• Tierra Firme Tour (2011-2013)
• Somos Uno Tour (2014-2015)

Awards

Latin Grammys

2009

• Song of the Year

Premio Lo Nuestro

2007

• Male Artist of the Year (Pop)

2009

• Male Artist of the Year (Pop)

2010

• Male Artist of the Year (Pop)
• Song of the Year (Pop)
• Collaboration of the Year (General)

Premios Juventud

2006

• Hottest Romance

2007

• Fashion: He's Got Style

2009

• Fashion: He's Got Style
• Music: The Perfect Combination
• Music: Artist of the Moment
• Music: Catchiest Tune
• Music: CD To Die For
• Music: Best Ballad
• Music: Favorite Pop Artist
• Music: My Idol Is
• General: Hottest Romance (shared with Adamari López)

Filmography

TV

• Amantes de Luna Llena (2000); Special appearance
• Taina (2001); Special appearance
• Corazones al límite (2004); Roy

[ Source: Wikipedia ]