Chayanne

Chayanne
Chayanne ? born on June 28 1968, is a Puerto Rican pop singer, born as Elmer Figueroa-Arce in San Lorenzo (Puerto Rico). He is a Grammy Award and Latin Grammy Award-nominated who has sold over 10 million albums worldwide.

His parents are Quintino Figueroa, a sales manager, and Irma Luz Arce, a teacher. He has four siblings: Clara, Kenny, Noel and Elliot. He began using the artistic name of "Chayanne" when he was a little kid.

In the late 70s, he tried-out for Menudo, but was told that he was too young for the group. Not giving up, he gave audition for a new group, he heard, were trying to create compete with Menudo, and, along with his sister, Clara. In 1978, he got selected and that was the beginning of this journey to fame.

The group - Los Chicos, made numerous hits, including "Puerto Rico Son Los Chicos", and "Terremoto". Though never as popular as Menudo, they did become famous all over Latin America, participating in a movie (Conexi?n Caribe), and producing millions of Los Chicos t-shirts, rulers, magazines etc.

After their break-up in1984, Chayanne set off with his solo career. He signed with RCA Ariola and released his first album, Chayanne es mi Nombre and eanred humble success in Central America. His second album with RCA, Sangre Latina was released in 1986.In 1988, Chayanne switched labels to Sony Music and released ?Chayanne?. which album included several hits that led him to glory, such as Honorio Herrero's "Tu Pirata Soy Yo", Jos? Mar?a Cano's "Fuiste un Trozo de Hielo en la Escarcha" and "Este Ritmo Se Baila As?", composed by Pierre-Edouard Decimus, Jacob Desvarieux and Roberto Livi. His fourth album, released in 1989 included the hits "Fiesta en Am?rica", composed by Honorio Herrero and the ballad "Peligro de Amor", composed by Paulo Massadas and Michael Sullivan. He received his first Grammy nomination for "Fiesta en Am?rica"

In the 80s, Chayanne participated in several soap operas. More recently, he has received several offers for acting jobs, but he has declined most of them for as was affecting his musical career, which he considers his priority.

In 1994 he was casted in Volver a empezar, along with Yuri. That same year, he also starred in Linda Sara - written and directed by famous Puerto Rican Jacobo Morales, with Puerto Rican ex-Miss Universe, Dayanara Torres.

Dance with Me (1998) was his first Hollywood movie, playing a role of a Cuban dancer along with Vanessa L. Williams. Other more-recent projects include the Argentinian soap opera Provocame. It?s worth mentioning that Chayanne has also had guest appearance in a well-liked TV series ?Ally McBeal?.

Chayanne in 1992 married to Venezuelan model and attorney, Marilisa Maronese. They have two children together: Lorenzo Valentino (b. 1997) and Isadora Sof?a (b. December 10, 2000), currently residing in Miami, Florida.

, Chayanne's mother, Irma Luz Arce, was diagnosed with cancer in 2004, which impelled him to get involved with international charity groups related to the illness.