Monday, December 21, 2009

Aventura

Aventura is arguably the most popular purveyors of Bachata music in the world. Bachata is a genre of music that was founded in the rural areas of the Dominican Republic. Though they may not be well known to the English-speaking world, they are international superstars of Latin music. Their latest world tour was number 3 in the United States, behind Miley Cyrus and Britney Spears. So that tells you about their popularity. The lead singer and composer, Anthony "Romeo" Santos (pictured above in white), has been dogged by rumors that he is gay. While appearing on El Show de Cristina last week he emphatically denied he was bisexual or homosexual. In doing so he used the perjorative (Dominican) for gay, pájaro (which translate to English as bird). Many in the Dominican Republic use this term but it is offensive to many. Well several Latin LGBT activists in Miami picked up on what he said and he was pressured to apologize. I feel better knowing that though he is not gay he loves and respects us gays nonetheless. He also stated that there are several gay people that work for the group. I am very happy that he cleared everything up.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I still go to Washington Heights to get my haircut (Dominicans make the best barbers) and they were in a tour bus on Nagle and Dyckman. They were mobbed and were giving out t-shirts and other stuff to the community. Maybe he's taking the Ricky Martin route of denying this to further his career. But if they continue to ask him, on national television, then . . . stardom does come at a price - not that I know anything about that.
Brien
NY

Anonymous said...

Truth be told though Anthony, even while they're hugged up with you in bed, a Dominican will say he's not gay! what's that about???

Unknown said...

Those are some good looking men. Especially him.

Anonymous said...

I agree with poster #2 and hugs are
the least of it. They will also do
everything in the book and they are
still not gay, but YOU are!

Anonymous said...

Latin males in the entertainment industry are pressured to stay in the closet even if they are gay they will never admit it. The Latin American entertainment industry is unforgiving and at this moment in time is not ready to welcome a gay entertainer (maybe a lesbian one). I can not really blame them I mean who wants to mess with their money!? But truth be known Latin American Agents and Managers would drop their clients like hot cakes even if they were super talented because they know the money will disappear. Here's to hoping that changes in our lifetime.

Anonymous said...

Actor Jaime Camil says kissing scenes with male co-star are being edited out from telenovela

read article on link:

http://blabbeando.blogspot.com/2009/10/actor-jaime-camil-says-kissing-scenes.html

Anonymous said...

Homophobia in the promotion of Latino singers for a wider market

read link :

http://blabbeando.blogspot.com/2009/07/homophobia-in-promotion-of-latino.html

Anonymous said...

Thanks to the poster(s) who provided the links to those two great stories. Quite informative.

Anonymous said...

I understand the gay issue because I am sure it would mess up there popularity.That's really too bad but thats just the way it is, so I can fully appreciate how secretive they must be if any of them are family.Possible some day it just maybe different, at least we can hope for that in the future.
Who ever made the statement about latins lying with you having hot wild sex and even kissing you and turn around and say they are not gay,along with coming back for more a day or so later, is a joke...Has for me let them think however they so desire has long as they return for a repeat performance.. smile..lol lol

Anonymous said...

Aventura make terrific music. I had thought they weren't all that well known on the west coast, but when they played San Francisco last year, they sold out the huge Civic Auditorium even though they weren't heavily advertised. I went down at 9:00am to try to get tickets, and the children were already camped out around the block for gate opening at 7:00pm.

I believe they played at one of the White House music specials a month or two ago.

Merry Christmas and a Very Happy and Prosperous New Year, Anthony.

George in SF