With his green/blue eyes, dark brown hair and over six feet tall he stands head and shoulders above his male latin peers. We`re talking Carlos Ponce here, superstar from Puerto Rico, worshipped in South and Middle America, the US and Southern Europe. It must be something in the water they drink, since everyone opening his throat there to sing rises to world fame.
But let`s begin the Beguine. On September 4, 1972 Carlos A Ponce Freyre is born as a third child and first son. (After him another son, Francisco, was born.)
A hyper active brat, driven in everything he undertook and destined for showbizz. His career took off when as a six year old he appeared in tv commercials, but he hit the big time when as a sixteen year old he headed for Miami. From supporting actor in soaps to leading parts. More fame as an actor cleared the way for his musical talent. He sings the signature tune for a soap series and does it convincingly enough to be granted a solo album, which becomes the untitled album with the song Rezo on it, in a few weeks making it to number one on the Latin Chart Billboard.
Carlos had it made. Yet Ponce`s world fame still isn`t reason enough for the Dutch branch of his record company to start marketing his albums the grand way in these lowlands. For the time being only his debut album and the follow-up Todo Que Lo Soy ("This is me" loosely translated) can be ordered via import. In other European countries things are a bit different though, where in particular gay magazines attest to their fascination with the goodlooking singer by showing off his beauty in photographs, whilst not forgetting to also review his cd`s.
Symbol
But can he sing? Or does the gay scene once again mix up a gorgeous ass with a mediocre throat? Well, maybe his record company isn`t that dumb in not launching Carlito royally. Both his albums sound fine, will do particularly well in sunny holiday environments, but aren`t all that special. Simple sunny, gay (there still are more meanings to the word, darling), melodious tunes calling up an exotic atmosphere, always good for mellow background music at a not too wild party. Carlos Ponce is at his best in a live concert, where his special physical appearance will set of his not so special voice to full advantage.
If you wanna learn more about him, surf to http://www.carlosponce.com/, the official Carlos Ponce site with interviews, biography, pictures and all. Some answers to questions of fans are worth quoting. Aids: We must create an awareness to stop this plague. And there are several ways to do so. Each and everyone must take responsibilty." (Avoid diplomatically the word `condom`; this could harm your career, since most of your fans are screaming teenagers).
Does he see himself as a sex symbol: "In my profession you always do your best to look good, but I figure it goes too far calling yourself a sex symbol`. And about his gay fans the singer fumbles superficially: I appreciate humanity and friendship. Race, sexual preference or belief are unimportant to me". "My dear, you sound just like the White House", my mom would respond to that.
If you spot Carlito one of these days on the tele with his hair cut short, you are looking at the result of his recent attempt to conquer the US market, where according to media experts Carlos` luxurious locks wouldn`t do well. The fact that Ponce lets his ears droop to this dribble shows he`s much too eager to get there where he`ll only get if he manages to keep his backbone intact. Carlito honey, go read your classics. How many centuries ago was it, that William Shakespeare held up his mirror to human nature?