From JLo dancer to presidential candidate: Eduardo Verástegui’s quest to lead Mexico
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Eduardo Verástegui is on a quest to be the next president of Mexico. The 49-year-old registered as an independent candidate on Thursday, September 7th, visiting the offices of the National Electoral Institute (INE). After submitting the required documents, it’s a matter of days before the INE decides if he’s met the requirements, and will issue him a certificate confirming his candidacy.
Before getting involved in politics and social causes, Verástegui had a notable career in the entertainment industry in Mexico and the United States. While he’s recently become known as a producer, he also appeared in Mexican telenovelas and Hollywood productions, even sharing the screen with Sofia Vergara. Plus, he made a cameo in Jennifer Lopez’s “Ain’t Your Mama” music video as a sexy gypsy.
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Eduardo Verástegui
Prior to his foray into politics, Verástegui had a notable career as a singer in the 1990s with the group Kairo. He also appeared in some Mexican soap operas before heading to Hollywood where he gained notoriety.
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Eduardo Verástegui
Verástegui was born in Ciudad Mante, a city in northern Mexico. He had a passion for acting from a young age. As a young adult, he enrolled in the Center for Artistic Education (CEA) at Televisa. While at CEA, he was recommended to join the pop group. With Kairo, he released albums like “Signo del Tiempo” and “Gaudium,” as well as two compilation albums. In 2001, he recorded his only solo album with Colombian producer Estéfano.
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Eduardo Verástegui
When it comes to soap operas, Verástegui appeared in Mi Querida Isabel, Soñadoras, Una luz en el camino, Tres mujeres and Alma Rebelde.
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Eduardo Verástergui and Sofía Vergara
In the 2000s, he ventured into Hollywood. In 2003, he starred in the movie “Chasing Papi,” playing the role of Thomas Fuentes, alongside the one and ony Sofía Vergara. His next film was “Meet Me in Miami.” Besides these projects, Verástegui also made appearances in TV series like “CSI: Miami” and “Charmed.”
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Eduardo Verástegui and Jennifer Lopez
In 2001, Verástegui was featured in Jennifer Lopez’s music video for “Ain’t Your Mama.” Yes, Verástegui played the seductive gypsy who JLo passionately falls for. The actor and ‘The Diva of the Bronx’ singer have sizzling scenes dancing together.
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Alejandro Monteverde, Eduardo Verastegui and Jakob Salvati
In 2004, he founded Metanoia Films, a production company dedicated to creating content with a meaningful social message. During that time, Verástegui aimed to distance himself from projects that portrayed Latinos in a negative light. It also gave him the opportunity to act in his own films. In 2006, he released “Bella,” where he portrayed José, a Latino in New York offering moral support to Nina, a young pregnant woman facing a difficult decision. The film was received with positivity, motivating Verastegui to continue producing films. Among his other productions with Metanoia Films are “Crescendo,” “Cristiada,” “Hijo de Dios,” “El Kiss de Dios,” “Little Boy,” and more. Here he can be seen with some of the cast members from the movie “Little Boy.”
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Eduardo Verástegui
Recently, Eduardo has been in the spotlight for his film Sound of Freedom, which was directed by Alejandro Monteverde. The film touches on one of the most serious problems in society: child exploitation. In addition to being a producer of the film, he is also part of the on-screen cast, playing Paul.
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Eduardo Verástegui
Although he is a handsome and successful man, Verástegui has been single for many years. He has actually been practicing abstinence from sex for nearly 18 years and has openly shared that he’s waiting for the woman of his dreams. “I believe that love comes when it comes. What’s essential for me is shared values, having the same ideals, and the same principles because that’s what nurtures a relationship,” he explained to Mexican media about his ideal partner. The presidential hopeful has also expressed his desire to become one day become a father. “Certainly, every day I pray, I daydream, and at least 20 times I’ve dreamed of having my child here, holding him in my arms. I wake up with tears in my eyes. I dream about my future children every day,” he said.
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Eduardo Verástegui
For years, Verástegui has been involved in social work and political activism from a far-right position. Some of his positions against current social issues have generated controversy.
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Eduardo Verástegui and the President of El Salvador Nayib Bukele
His social and political activism has led him to meet with high-level officials, such as the Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele. Last July, the president met with the actor, pledging to eradicate child trafficking.
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Eduardo Verástegui
Now, Verástegui aims to make a name for himself in politics and leave his mark on Mexico. If accepted as an independent candidate, Verástegui will compete against Xóchilt Gálvez, the candidate of the Broad Front for Mexico, and Claudia Sheinbaum, the coordinator of the Committees for the Fourth Transformation.
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From JLo dancer to presidential candidate: Eduardo Verástegui’s quest to lead Mexico
