Eduardo a man with bold dreams, demonstrating perseverance really pays off

Written by: Araceli Márquez

Eduardo is a real role model for the youth. By demonstrating ""perseverance truly pays off"", since the power of the will triumphs, will equals strength. The reason is because of the time he invested asking label companies to give him a chance, showing his demo with rejection after rejection, but he never gave up. The industry believed he was another actor who wanted to sing, not a singer who could act. Eduardo is very successful as an actor of Novelas (Spanish Soaps), he confesses his first love is not acting but singing. Keep in mind; Eduardo in Mexico is a huge celebrity, well known for starring in 5 Telenovelas, where he was considered a heartthrob. His huge success came with ""Alma Rebelde"" where he starred as leading man. However he assured me his vocation is singing, not acting.

He was part of the group Kairo, consisting of 3 gorgeous young man. This music group was successful in Latin America for several years in the 90's. Eduardo told me while he was in the group he never got the opportunity to showcase his fantastic voice, his hidden talents.

But in accordance with his zodiacal sign Taurus, Eduardo was brave, stubborn and totally committed to pursue his dream, to be realized 4 years later.

Let's find out who is this heartthrob ""Lalo"" (nickname given by his friends and colleagues).

Araceli - Hi Eduardo, I know you just finished taping a music video with J'Lo in LA from her third single"It ain't funny", how did you land this unique opportunity?

Eduardo: "It was a wonderful experience, a big surprise when I received a call from the office of the director and photographer directing the video of Jennifer Lopez. It went through Arlenne Rodriguez, best friend and assistant of Jennifer. Apparently she saw me in a video, and then she recommended me to star in the JLo's video. She asked if I would like to be the Gipsy lover starring in her video. She sent the script, and I loved the idea to work with people this professional, which all of them were. It really was a pleasure working with them and an unique opportunity."

Araceli - Before meeting JLo, you used to say that she was the hottest lady of the moment, and now after having worked with her, what's your opinion about her?

Pepe: "Like you mentioned it, I was asked in several interviews who would be my perfect girl, and I said Jennifer Lopez. She is my type, she enchants me, I admire her for her accomplishments. I have seen her movies and heard her CD's. Now that I have met her, my admiration for her has doubled because she is very down to earth, humble, a wonderful person, hard working, and very nice…"

Araceli - Do you believe something could happen between both of you? I ask because she was very friendly with you, she even celebrated your birthday, correct? (his response to me was very emotional)

Eduardo: "It would be nice! but it was just a working experience, very professional. However I admit these were 4 of the happiest days of my life. I had one of the most wonderful and unforgettable birthday I ever had. Just imagine sitting at one of the mountains at Los Angeles; between around 200 people, some were extras, some from the production and the rest of them from the small village around there, we were in the middle of nowhere. When we finished taping the last scene, dancing with Jennifer, where we kissed, I got ready to leave. I didn't think anyone knew it was my birthday, so I was saying good-bye when everyone started to shout: " Everyone come over!" and everyone started to sing to me Happy Birthday. They had a huge birthday cake; Jennifer sung for me personally, this was the most beautiful birthday present. Then next day reality set in and I came back to Miami to tape my own first video from my first single. I am very happy with it."

Araceli - If you were able to give us a description of your first CD in reference of the sacrifices you made, what would you say?

Lalo: "This is the most important project of my life yet, and the one that has cost me the most so far. It is not only my dream, but there are so many people involved in the project, so right now this is all I am focused on."

Araceli - Did you ever feel like quitting when you got rejected to start your singing carrier in the past?

Verástegui: "No, I mean of course I would feel down and frustrated to see that my hopes and dreams might never be realized. Deep inside in my heart I always believed in myself, in my goals, in my dreams, so even when the doors of opportunity closed, I hang on with courage and perseverance, and I never quit, I am a go-getter.
I faced 4 years of ""no no no"", the fact is that becoming an actor was so much easier. I do enjoy acting don't get me wrong; I mean I made 5 Novelas. Can you believe I was on the verge of signing a deal for 7 more? But I didn't sign the contract because I wasn't completely satisfied with where I was heading, so I gave up the easy way out, the opportunity to have a comfortable life. Instead I got my little savings to fly away to pursue my dream to be a singer and here I am."

Araceli: Do you believe that the fame you enjoy today in Mexico as actor is going to help your singing carrier to become a successful singer?

Eduardo: "No, I do not believe it's that simple, logic tells me too it should be as you think. I used to think this acting carrier would open doors for me to be welcomed as a singer, but in fact the opposite happens, as an actor you are not supposed to be a singer. An actor is an actor, not a singer."

Araceli: I know you were in Mexico promoting your CD, how was it received by the audience?

Eduardo: "Yes I went to Mexico in May to present my CD, and it was received very well. In the last 4 years the press and the audience has been loyal to me, following my carrier. You know that in the past I recorded a CD in Mexico with a record company and we announced that it was coming out soon, so the public and the press knew about it, but then one day the record company called me and said: "We have 2 news for you; one bad, one good; The bad one: We are not going to pursue with your project, the good one, we have found another record company who is interested"… But the latter one never showed up. I was given a letter of resignation and another dream went up into smoke. However it's important to show resilience, what matters is not to fall, but to learn how to get right back up. But then I took the decision to leave Mexico, to find fortune abroad and to continue to pursue my quest to find a record company in the US."

Araceli: Following the success of the video you made with JLo (Eduardo smiles), do you realize this might open doors towards the Anglo-American market? you might land 2 careers together, one English, one Spanish, what do you think?

Lalo: "You are right, the promotion I will get by working with Jennifer Lopez will help me to get noticed in the Anglo-American or English speaking market, specially because it happened at the same time I am releasing my first solo CD, but right now I am dedicating all my time and energy to my project. I would like to promote the CD to all the corners of the Spanish-speaking countries. In the future of course I would like to work for the Anglo-American market in English as well. Like every artist, I think it's important for broader acceptance, of course if it was a project I think is worth taking. Right now I am crossing the bridge with my first CD, and I am fulfilling my dream and I am totally committed to it."

Araceli: Speaking about dreams, which are your dreams, and which are the struggles you have to face being an artist?

Verástegui: "If I tell you, you would think I must be out of my mind! (Eduardo laughs). I am a big dreamer, I dream when I am sleeping and when I am awake, I have always been like this since I was a little boy. For now, I hope the audience accepts my first CD, which I have made with so much love, so much dedication and energy; I did so with so much passion. Furthermore I prefer not to talk about my dreams before I have realized them"

Araceli: You seem to be a very humble man; I can tell your family educated you very well. There were lots of people here calling you "Pepe", is there now in Eduardo a glimpse of that "Pepe" or have you change?

Pepe: "Yes my parents and in my hometown they call me "Pepe". At high school everyone called me Verástegui, but for my artistic name I used my middle name: Eduardo. But it doesn't matter I am still the same; there is always the essence one is born with no matter how they call you.
My family is very much united; my mom, dad and three sisters are my best friends and the pillar in my life for support. I have grown up, matured, and I am always preparing myself. A unique talent of mine that I can remember I have since I was little is that I am a persistent dreamer"

Araceli: Changing the subject, there are plenty of rumors that you have had a lot of romances, and that you are a womanizer, -Eduardo interrupted me and said- "Don't believe those rumors, they are false, the truth is I am a man for a single woman only". (both Eduardo and I went smiling and continued) as a young man and after so many girlfriends you have had (Just think of Aracely Arambula whom should have been your fiancée according to the press), do you think of marriage?

Eduardo: "No not yet, Love means so much to me. My heart has been broken. Yes I have had a lot of girlfriends and at the time I was in those relationships many things crossed my mind, you know when you are in love, but for one reason or another, due to work or other things that happened, the relationships ended. I have had romances for about a month with physical attraction, but with time I get to know the lady better and I find out I don't have internal chemistry, so relationships ended. Keep in mind; the physical attraction isn't the complete picture."

Araceli - Would you be a single parent?

Eduardo: "No, one of my biggest dreams is to get married and have 3 kids, 2 sons, one daughter, it would be my perfect dream. When the one shows up and steals my heart then I will get married. Age doesn't matter, I just hope and pray to God I will be given the blessing of becoming a dad"

Araceli - What is the meaning of the rosary you are sporting on your chest?

Verástegui: "I come from a very catholic family, my mom gave it to me to pray at night, I believe a lot of the things that I have achieve are due to my hard work, but I also believe that it is due to the prayers I pray to God every night. In the past I used to take it out to just pray at night, but because I travel a lot I would loose it in places or forgot it, so one day I decided to wear it permanently, so I cant say or excuse myself of skipping my prayers."

Araceli - To conclude, please send a message out to your fans...

Eduardo: "This is a very romantic CD, about love, and the ending of it... I hope you'll enjoy it because I made it with all my heart. We spent many months of hard work; from the staff, songwriters Donato, Estefano, the production staff of the record company. I have put all my love in it; I hope you'll appreciate and enjoy it. Thanks"

Araceli - I would like to say goodbye to you now, but not before telling you this guy is here to stay. As true Latinos in the US we should support artist with such talent who have achieved it all by hard work, dedication and perseverance, he really deserves to succeed. During my stay with this gorgeous young man, I like to convey to you I really admire him now, and added him on top of my list of favorite artists!