Joel Deleōn talks 10 years of CNCO — and finding his footing as a solo artist

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A little over ten years ago, a young man from Hesperia, California, tried out for “La Banda,” a reality TV show that aimed to create the next big Latin boy band.

Sixteen-year-old Joel Deleōn (then known as Joel Pimentel) paid tribute to his Mexican heritage by powerfully singing the classic song “Eran Cien Ovejas.” He performed for a panel of famous judges including Ricky Martin, Alejandro Sanz, and Laura Pausini. During his audition, Laura Pausini requested he sing a different song, so he performed Ed Sheeran’s “I See Fire,” which impressed the judges and allowed him to continue in the competition.

Looking back, it’s amazing how quickly time has flown,” says the now 26-year-old, sporting a beard and several tattoos. “I never imagined I’d win ‘La Banda,’ particularly since my Spanish wasn’t very strong at the time. The fact that simply auditioning changed my life is a constant lesson – don’t be afraid to pursue your dreams.”

Simon Cowell, known for discovering One Direction on “American Idol,” teamed up with Martin to create “La Banda,” a show designed to find the next big Latin boy band after Menudo’s popularity faded in the 1980s. In the show’s finale on December 13, 2015, viewers chose Deleōn to complete the group CNCO, joining members Christopher Vélez, Richard Camacho, Erick Brian Colón, and Zabdiel de Jesús.

The members of CNCO each came from a different Latin American country, but they performed together seamlessly, captivating audiences with their harmonies and well-rehearsed dance moves. They quickly rose to fame, touring the world and earning a nomination for Best New Artist at the 2017 Latin Grammys. They also released several hugely popular songs, including the catchy “Reggaetón Lento (Bailemos)” and the energetic “Hey DJ.”

Similar to Geri Halliwell from the Spice Girls, Zayn Malik from One Direction, and Camila Cabello from Fifth Harmony, Deleōn unexpectedly left his group in 2021 to focus on his individual career. At that time, he also changed his stage name from Joel Pimentel to Joel Deleōn, honoring his late grandfather’s surname – the man who first encouraged his musical ambitions.

Deleōn started his solo career by releasing singles through his former group CNCO’s label, but he felt creatively stuck. In 2023, he decided to become independent and released the EP “Ahora Me Escuchan???” (Can You Hear Me Now???), showcasing a fresh, energetic sound. It’s similar to the pop-rock style of Joe Jonas’ band DNCE, but with a noticeable Latin influence.

Since leaving CNCO, Deleōn has established himself as a rising star in Chicano pop and R&B. He recently completed his first solo tour across Latin America and gave fans a taste of his upcoming debut album with the energetic bilingual single, “Me Alegro Por Ti,” released on November 28th. To celebrate CNCO’s 10th anniversary on December 13th, De Los spoke with Deleōn about the group’s impact, his decision to leave, and what he’s been up to since.

My time with CNCO taught me the importance of dedication and passion in music. That’s a huge part of why the group became so successful – we put in countless hours in the studio, rehearsing choreography, and doing interviews. Beyond that, I cherish the amazing memories I made with the other members, and they inspire me to continue working hard as a solo artist to reach that same level of success.

CNCO made a really big impact, and I think their music will be remembered for years to come. The fans are still incredibly supportive, and it doesn’t really feel like the band is over for good. I think we’ll all work together again someday, but right now, everyone needs time to pursue their own projects. It’s amazing to think about – I even imagine telling my future kids about being in a boy band that toured Asia and Europe and had listeners in Africa!

Leaving the band was a really tough decision, and something I thought about for a long time. I definitely didn’t want it to seem like I was just walking out on the guys – we’re still good friends. We don’t talk as often now, but that’s just life; everyone’s focused on their own projects.

I likely would have stayed in CNCO a bit longer if a few things hadn’t happened, but I’ll leave it to everyone to speculate what those things might be. [Laughs] It definitely wasn’t a problem with the other members – in fact, I felt closest to them personally during the last couple of years we were together.

I have no regrets about going solo. These past four years have been a huge learning experience – I’ve grown in ways I wouldn’t have if I’d stayed with the band. When you’re part of a group backed by a major label, a lot of things are handled for you. But being independent forces you to learn and handle everything yourself, and I’m actually thankful for that. Honestly, I’m happy with how things have gone.

Going independent was the best decision I could have made for my career, and I don’t mean any disrespect to record labels. After being in a boy band and signed to a major label, there’s often pressure to follow a path that executives believe will be successful. But when you’re passionate about something and want to build a long-term career around it, it’s crucial to stay true to yourself and share your own vision.

The biggest perk of being an independent artist is definitely having complete creative control. I could really use some support with the business side of things, though. [Laughs] It’s been a fantastic experience overall. I’m working with a producer named Palace, and he’s incredible – he just gets my vision and understands what I’m trying to achieve. I think it’s crucial to have a producer who truly understands you and helps bring your ideas to life.

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Your song “Me Alegro Por Ti” marked the start of a new chapter for you last month – what can fans look forward to? I’d say this is my most honest and open work yet. The song captures that initial stage after a relationship ends, and this whole album will explore all the feelings people experience – from the beginning of a romance to the breakup and everything that follows. “Me Alegro Por Ti” is about enjoying life after a split, but there’s much more to the story coming soon. The music feels incredibly authentic to me and really reflects who I am as an artist. I’m really excited about what’s next, and there’s a lot more music on the way – look out for it in 2026!

Your recent Latin American Nostalgia tour, featuring your songs and CNCO’s biggest hits, was a success! Are you planning to bring that show to the U.S.?

Honestly, it’s very likely. Looking at my streaming data, the U.S. has the second-largest audience, so I definitely need to perform there.

I’d definitely be interested in a CNCO reunion tour! So many fans weren’t able to see us perform live before, and it would be amazing to share those experiences with them. It’s not just about us having fun remembering the past – it’s about giving new and old fans a chance to relive those moments, or even introducing our music to a new generation. I’m not sure how the other guys feel about it, but I think it’s a great idea.

Now that we’re independent, each of us could perform our own songs during the tour. That would be amazing! We could even record an EP or album ourselves, without needing a record label. We could make music that truly reflects who we are and what we’re feeling, which would create an even deeper connection with our fans. They already showed us incredible support before, and they’d absolutely love hearing music that’s more personal and honest. It would also be a great way to share our individual projects and create a really diverse and exciting show.

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2025-12-13 02:32