Luis Fonsi conquered Latin music. With rom-com ‘Say a Little Prayer,’ he’s ready for his close-up.

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As a seasoned movie critic with decades of experience under my belt, I must say that Luis Fonsi’s foray into acting is nothing short of remarkable. Having followed his musical career closely, it was a delight to witness his seamless transition onto the silver screen.

On the radiant stage of the 2024 Latin Grammys, under the intense spotlights, Luis Fonsi felt more anxious than he had ever before.

Although I’ve experienced the joy of winning Latin Grammys in the past, it’s not an occurrence that happens routinely for me,” I shared over Zoom at 46 years old. “I’m attempting to liken this experience to my previous nominations, but something sets this apart… It feels unique, almost as if it holds a different significance.

On that November evening in Miami, Fonsi’s twelfth studio album, “The Journey,” triumphed over the works of Mexican indie artist Caloncho, Colombian-American diva Kali Uchis, and others to claim the golden gramophone for best pop vocal album.

He pauses for a moment and continues, “You know, I’ve had success with singles. But now to sort of get recognition for the whole shabam — it’s something I’ve never won before. This album was not me trying to do a radio-friendly single and then write an album around that song. There was a story to tell from day one.”

The album ‘El Viaje’ focuses on the global odyssey of his career, with each track named after a distinct city. Inspired by his 25th year as a recording artist and the fresh creative liberties he now enjoys, the artist behind ‘Despacito’ aims to make 2024 an unforgettable year. Driven by nostalgia, he delves into his old photo albums from the early 2000s, his physical cassette tapes of his initial albums, and the awards he has received over the years. He acknowledges that this significant milestone compels him to ponder what he wishes his enduring legacy to be.

Fonsi noted that when he first began, it was primarily about him and pursuing success. However, now his focus has shifted towards his family, songwriting, connecting with others, and fulfilling personal dreams. The world seems more expansive to him, no longer confined to achieving a hit song or radio play.

After winning his sixth Latin Grammy, releasing “El Viaje” and embarking on his global 25 Años Tour, the entertainer from Puerto Rico, who grew up in Orlando, Florida, aims to increase his legacy by exploring talents outside the realm of Latin music. In the past year alone, he has published a children’s book called “UnFROGettable Friends” that he co-authored, judged on Telemundo’s “La Voz,” and made his acting debut in the indie romantic comedy “Say a Little Prayer.

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The film allowed Fonsi to take a break from music and hone in on his acting skills — something he says he’s wanted to do for a long time. The self-proclaimed musical theater kid— in high school, he was the chorus president and theater vice president— says he was always drawn to the stage. But as he was more confident in his musical talents, he decided to focus on music. Even as he established himself as a key player in the Latin genre, he was simultaneously dipping his toes in professional acting. He previously appeared in “Forever Tango” on Broadway and guest starred in telenovelas such as Mexico’s “Corazones al límite.”

While waiting for the suitable movie project, director Patrick Perez Vidauri initiated casting for “Say a Little Prayer.” Fonsi’s name surfaced as a potential candidate for the character of Rafael, a romantic art curator and the film’s central love interest. Consequently, Perez Vidauri forwarded a script to Fonsi who was traveling from Miami to Madrid at that time. Reading it during the flight, Fonsi vividly remembers the instant he felt this was the perfect role for him.

In the words of Fonsi, “I immediately recognized a lot of myself in Rafael, and his dialogue flowed effortlessly as I read it.” On the set, I felt as if I didn’t need to adapt to anyone else; I found comfort in understanding him.

Based in San Antonio, this film centers around a group of three inseparable friends, portrayed by Vannessa Vasquez, Jackie Cruz, and Vivian Lamolli, as they embark on romantic quests. In faith that their soulmates might be discovered, they appeal to St. Anthony, the saint believed to aid in finding lost things. Subsequently, a man named Rafael emerges, unwittingly becoming entangled in a love affair with two of the friends. The production company behind this movie is New Cadence and Migrant Filmworks, which initially showcased it at the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF). Later, AMC Theatres acquired the distribution rights for the film.

In one of the scenes, Vasquez (playing Adela) shares warm recollections of spontaneously exchanging lines with the Latin musician Fonsi. At one point, Fonsi accidentally dropped a prop card intended for Adela. In a spur-of-the-moment decision, they concocted the idea to perform a little magic trick to make Adela’s character even more captivated.

Vasquez stated, “We unintentionally had an incident reminiscent of Julia Roberts’ character in ‘Pretty Woman’ (where the jewelry box closed on her hand), and it was fitting because it happened just as he said something about magic. Everything seemed to align perfectly, and it was all quite serendipitous. It’s clear why he’s so successful – he grasps creativity, artistry, and how they work together.

In Adela and Rafael’s romantic tale, there’s a moment where Fonsi truly stands out, revealing his authentic self as a renowned pop artist. One evening, the pair decide to spend time together at the local ice rink, and unexpectedly, Rafael is invited on stage for a performance. Holding a guitar, he starts to serenade “Prayer in Your Eyes,” an original composition penned by Fonsi, showcasing his character’s emotions beautifully.

During the shooting of that particular scene, there were plenty of tears. It truly tugged at our heartstrings, as Perez Vidauri put it. Interestingly, we needed to reshoot the scene multiple times due to the cast’s overzealousness in paying attention to him. I had to remind everyone that they weren’t meant to recognize him.

As a devoted fan, I’ve always been struck by Fonsi’s unique ability to infuse romance into his work, a trait that has defined his career and will undoubtedly be a cornerstone of his lasting impact. From his debut album “Comenzaré” in 1998 to his latest foray into romantic comedy, he’s honed a particular set of skills that allow him to beautifully express the complexities of love.

In my creative work, I’m constantly searching for the special instant that binds people together – it might be a passionate screen kiss or a particular musical chord. As an artist, I strive to find these magical instances within a scene or a melody. It feels like a treasure hunt, and I’m just looking for that ideal moment – whether it’s a grand musical note or a subtle detail in the lyrics – that stirs our emotions.

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2024-12-06 03:03