Enrique Iglesias Genuine
When he's not working on his music or on tour, Enrique Iglesias can probably be found at the beach surfing; holding hands with his girlfriend, Anna Kournikova; or enjoying the sun. Or he may be watching his favorite basketball team, the Miami HEAT. Whether he's working or relaxing, Iglesias will certainly be joking around—because this Spanish singer-songwriter loves playing practical jokes. And boy does he know how to do it! Once, he fooled the press by saying he had sold his car to buy his girlfriend an engagement ring. There was also the time when he told a Swedish journalist that he "had just gotten divorced," which was not only interpreted as the end of his relationship with Kournikova, but to top it off, started a rumor that they had secretly gotten married! The list is long and there have been jokes of all types, some of them off-color. During this interview, he even tried to convince us that he was a year younger.
What Iglesias does take seriously, very seriously, is his music. When he talks about it, the tone of his voice changes and he even becomes somewhat solemn. In that serious tone of voice, he said he's deeply proud of his new CD, Euphoria, which is his first bilingual album and he thinks it's great. He's not exaggerating: in fact, Iglesias has already reached the top of the charts in English and Spanish with some of the songs. For example, "I Like It," an English song featuring Pitbull, became part of the soundtrack of the hit MTV show "Jersey Shore." At the same time, Iglesias' duet with Juan Luis Guerra ("Cuando Me Enamoro") has been in the Spanish radio charts. We began our interview discussing the latter partnership.
Q.Your new CD features a duet with Juan Luis Guerra. What happens when two top-selling artists get together in the studio? Do they learn from each other, or is there nothing left to learn?
No! I learned a lot when I recorded with Juan Luis Guerra. I learned what a good human being he is, how honest, how despite his talent he's still grounded, how he doesn't have an ego… The experience of recording with him was very good, and he later invited me to participate in a concert he gave to benefit victims of the earthquake in Haiti. That's where I confirmed his power as a person: he was able to get many artists to participate in the concert without any egos, simply to sing among friends like normal people. That was thanks to him, to the way he is. He's very modest.
Q. Maybe you're like two peas in a pod, since you're not known for being conceited…
Well, I think I'm not, at least I don't feel I've let my ego get the best of me. When you put a dozen artists in the same room, at least one of them will let fame get to their head, but in this concert that Juan Luis organized, something unusual happened: no one had an ego trip.
I strongly identify with Juan Luis because he's one of those artists who hasn't lost touch with reality… It's very good to see him being successful for so many years and with that attitude. I hope that when I've had a career as long as his, I can continue being like this, keeping in touch with reality.
Q. It seems like you value unpretentious people…
Nothing bothers me more than someone who feels like they're better than other people. I think that when someone is like that, there's a high level of insecurity and very little intelligence. In this life, being famous, having money or being successful in something doesn't mean that you're better than another human being in any way. No! I think it's odd when someone starts earning more money or becomes famous and starts showing off or treats others arrogantly. People say 'money changed him' or 'fame changed her'; I think that this person was like that from the start and fame or fortune brought it out. He or she didn't become conceited, but was always like that, insecure… And I can't stand that.
Q. Speaking about staying unpretentious, when you've sold 60 million records, like you did, can you still fly commercial or is it safer (for your privacy) to charter a plane?
Yes, I fly on a private plane, but I haven't completely given up on commercial flights. For example, I'm familiar with TACA Airlines.
Q. Then you must know that TACA mainly flies to Latin America. Of your trips throughout the region, which sights do you remember most?
Wow! There are so many! Although in general, to be honest with you, when I go to countries on tour, I just sing and then have to leave—so although I've been to many countries, of some I've been able to see little. I love Mexico for its variety. And I think all of Central America is marvelous. Ah! I must say I had a great time in Costa Rica. I loved the beaches in Costa Rica; there's something truly magical about them—I don't know if it's because they have the Pacific and the Caribbean, or because of the weather, but I spent one of my best afternoons surfing there. Costa Rica is definitely a paradise for surfing.
Q. You were born in Spain and grew up in Miami among Americans and Cubans. Where do you feel you're from?
Imagine that! I think of myself as a little bit of everything. I'll never forget Spain, because I spent the first few years of my life there. But besides that, while growing up in Miami I came into contact with so many cultures: the Cuban influence is enormous, also the American one… I feel like a bit of everything, since I grew up surrounded by friends who spoke English and others who would tell me Colombian, Venezuelan and Puerto Rican words. Miami is a good place to be influenced by many things, especially when it comes to music—and I think that was good for me and my career.
Q. At 35, how does life look? What are your dreams and outlook?
I'm 35? (Joking.) You're making me older! Well, I know it sounds like a cliché, but my dream has always been to do what I'm doing now: sing. Music is my true passion, so I live and dream of doing just that. I wouldn't change my work for anything in the world.
Q. You co-produced an off-Broadway show and have taken on some acting roles. Will we see you acting?
Perhaps in the future but for now it's not in my plans. There also hasn't been anything that I really want, and if I don't find something I'm truly passionate about I'd rather not do it. Maybe if in the future they offer me something in which I can identify with the character, or if it's a comedy that really makes me laugh, or a drama that truly touches me, then they could talk me into it.
Q. Finally, after earning more than 130 platinum records and traveling the world with your music, what has been the greatest life lesson?
I think that what's most important in life is not taking things so seriously. Maybe that's why I like joking around… Because I've discovered that you must enjoy life because it can be very short.
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