The true story of Joselo Vega, the choreographer and confidant of the Menudo group

Who is Joselo Vega? What is his history with Menudo?

Last Friday, October 9, Amazon Prime Video premiered Súbete a mi moto, the biographical series of the biggest boy band in all of Latin America: Menudo.

Throughout its 15 chapters we met several of the members of this famous Puerto Rican band and how they achieved success with the help of their manager Edgardo Díaz.

But in the life and career of the Menudo there was a man equally or more important than Edgardo: Joselo Vega and this is his story.

Who is José Luis Vega?

José Luis Vega was born on May 11, 1962 in Puerto Rico and from a very young age he had a great talent for dancing.

His first acquaintance with Menudo came thanks to Beddie Rodríguez, who at that time was the group’s choreography director and took him on as an apprentice.

Thus, at only 15 years old, and after Beddie’s resignation, José Luis assumed the position of choreographer and creative director of the band and adopted Joselo Vega as his stage name.

Joselo Vega and Menudo

As creative director, Joselo was in charge of designing the group’s image and ensuring that their steps and wardrobe were in tune with the fashion of the time.

Tight pants and shirts with metallic tones became part of Menudo’s identity until they changed their look to a more rocker look towards the end of the 80s.

But Joselo was MUCH more than just another team employee.

During the 14 years he was with the band, Joselo served as support and confidant to the Menudo boys, and in a way was a counterweight to the strict rules of Edgardo Díaz.

It was not until 1991, already in the group’s decline stage, that Joselo Vega left the team.

His departure occurred shortly after the scandal in which Rubén Gómez and Sergio Blass were involved, who were arrested at the Miami airport for possession of illicit substances.

But Joselo’s career as a choreographer did not end with Menudo as he went to work with Yuri, who by then was already a star in Mexico.

Joselo Vega and Ricky Martin

In 1989 and after six years in Menudo, Ricky Martin left the band and began working on his solo career.

Therefore, when Joselo resigned from the group in 1991, Ricky did not hesitate to hire him as part of his team. Thus, Joselo took it upon himself to use his talent and experience to turn Ricky into a superstar.

His relationship with the singer became so close that he himself has said that Joselo and his mother, Doña Nereida, have been key to his not only artistic but also spiritual formation.

So much so that Ricky Martin’s fans also have great affection for Joselo Vega and even congratulate him on his birthday.

Joselo Vega in Get on my motorcycle

For the production of the series Súbete a mi moto, Joselo Vega provided different testimonies of what life was like for the members of Menudo.

This includes details of day-to-day life on tour, recording, and at the Orlando home they used to rehearse.

In the series, Joselo is played by the Cuban singer and actor Sian Chiong, who has recently participated in series such as La Mexicana and El Güero.

Within music, Chiong has been part of the group Ángeles, a bachata boyband, and has also released songs as a solo artist such as Me Mata el Dolor, Señorita and Amuleto.

So now that you know everything about Joselo Vega, the choreographer of Menudo, you can finish enjoying the series or if you have already finished it, watch it again to appreciate this character more.