The first time you might have heard of him was when Aventura was in its prime back in the day. But the truth is that Romeo Santos isn’t the only Aventura member who’s had a successful career outside the band. Henry Santos, his cousin, has also had a very productive and impressive journey as a solo artist, as a dancer, and most recently, as a representative of the Hispanic community in the US with CHALK, (Choosing Healthy & Active Lifestyles for Kids), which is a collaboration between New York-Presbyterian Hospital Ambulatory Care Network and Columbia University Medical Center's Department of Child & Adolescent Health.
The goals of CHALK are to reduce over time the prevalence of childhood obesity in Northern Manhattan and to promote a culture and create an environment in which healthy lifestyles are integral to the lives of all children. After Henry Santos lost 40 pounds in an effort to be healthy, he now wants people to know it is possible to do it without giving up on things you like. He spoke to Latin Times and opened up about this incredible effort, and what inspired him to take action into a better lifestyle. He also spoke about his new single “La Vida” with Maffio, and the “historic” reunion with his cousin Romeo Santos at his album release party.
Latin Times: How does it feel to have a successful career outside of Aventura, being on your own without people having your back all the time?
Henry Santos: Right now, any artist that goes public wants to be recognized by their work. I think that has been my greatest blessing, that the fans have stuck with me and given me their support, even as a dancer! And, of course as a singer. Now I’m even considering the acting road. Maybe do a little theater or movies. So I’m doing my homework for when I really decide to take on that path. But right now I’m blessed, I’m everywhere and that’s what I love. I can’t be at home doing nothing, and now a lot of doors have been opening for me. Success is coming from everywhere.
LT: Recently you released a song with Maffio called “La Vida.” This goes more down the lines of urban merengue, why this genre instead of bachata, which is what you usually incline more towards?
HS: In my album Henry Santos “My Way” I tried to add more danceable music. Right after I won “Mira Quien Baila” I went into the recording studio and started looking for a different type of sound. Yes, 70% is still bachata, but the rest is urban music, dance and this (La Vida) is the only merengue I did for this album, and since I’d never done merengue, it was the last song I finished. I took my time because I wanted to do it right and this was the result. After this song, Maffio and I went back into the studio and now I have three more merengues that will be on my next album.
LT: Henry, there’s something on my mind right now. I just remembered that just recently you and Romeo Santos got together again after years of not being seen together in public, what’s the situation with you two?
HS: It’s a little weird to me that people think we hadn’t seen each other for so long. I understand it because we hadn’t been seen in public, but Romeo and I have gotten together a zillion times, and that day I just went to support him on his album release. I live in Miami and I happened to be in New York for that week, and for me it wasn’t anything out of the ordinary to go and support my cousin. People were saying it was a “historic reunion” and I remember seeing that online and I sent it to Anthony (Romeo), and he was cracking up too. We get together all the time, we talk, text, stay in touch, so it was funny to see it portrayed as such a big deal.
LT: Not too long ago you went on a life-changing journey of fitness and lost 40 pounds. What motivated you to do that?
HS: About 4 years ago I decided to change my life. During all my years in Aventura I basically toured the world, I ate everything that I could, and in this artist’s life you always look for an excuse to not exercise. I spent 13 years not exercising. Before that, I used to work out a lot. But while traveling the world with the group, I ate anything that was put in front of me. In 2010 my baby was born and one day I was going up the stairs and I felt like I was about to puke my heart out. I was only 29, 30 years. So I said, “If I don’t take care of me now, who will take care of my son?” That was my main reason. After exercising for a while, I dropped the 40 pounds. But it became a rollercoaster. I lost weight, I gained weight. If I ate, I was always thinking about a diet. And eventually I realized diets don’t work, and I decided to change my way of looking at food. And there’s the trick. Learning how to eat. I’ve been consistent with my weight for the past 6 months, and although people keep telling me that I look skinnier all the time, I still weigh the same. So it’s my body what’s changing. And this experience is something that I would like to share with the Hispanic community in the US. No one around me is working more than I am right now, and I still find time to eat every three hours and to go to the gym at least an hour a day. For me, there are no excuses. And you can do it. A hectic life can be balanced if you really try.
LT: Right now you’re working with the New York-Presbyterian Hospital to try to incorporate healthier menus in Latin restaurants in Washington Heights, is that part of this new life that you’re leading?
HS: Yes, I’m collaborating with the CHALK association in New York City. It stands for Choosing Healthy and Active Lifestyles for Kids. So it all began when I was leaving the gym in Miami and I thought: “Why can’t I go to a Hispanic restaurant and get at least brown rice?” So when I got together with CHALK, they showed me a video of what they’re doing for the kids in the US, and how they’re trying to prevent child obesity, and I started crying. I have that same vision; so collaborating with them it’s an honor and a dream come true. Now we will bring that message to Hispanic communities. It’s not about forgetting our roots and stop eating our foods, it’s about modifying how we cook them and the ingredients we use to condiment the food.
LT: Besides this wonderful effort with CHALK, I hear that you’re also planning on releasing a fitness music album …
HS: Yes, we are working with several producers now. The idea is to make a workout DVD, instructing people on different types of exercises and nutrition, and teach people that it’s possible to go out and party and have fun, but also keep a healthy lifestyle. You don’t have to put your life on hold in order to be healthy.
LT: Will you be showing how to do the exercises properly, and most importantly, will you be dancing?
HS: Yes, I’m going to be very involved with the exercises, and yes, we’ll also include some dance steps. It’s not going to be Zumba, but we will definitely teach people how to dance other things too!
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