Jencarlos Canela (born April 21, 1988 in Miami, Florida) is an American actor and musician.Contents [hide] 1 Early life 2 Music career 3 Acting career 4 Personal life 5 External links 6 References
[edit] Early life
Canela was born in Miami, to Cuban parents. His father came from Cuba to the United States on the Mariel Boatlift.[1] He graduated in 2006 from the New World School of the Arts in Miami, Florida, with honors.[2] [edit] Music career
Canela began his music career at the age of 12, in the Miami based band Boom Boom Pop. In 2002, he began recording songs as a soloist. He performed at Miss World 2004 and Miss World 2005.[2]
In 2006, Jencarlos was chosen to star in a commercial for Ford, and composed the song used in the popular Ride it Like a Ford ad campaign. Canela has composed songs in English, Italian, German and Portuguese, and plays the piano, guitar and drums.[3]
"Buscame" is Jencarlos' second single from the album of the same name and the follow up to Jencarlos' debut single, "Amor Quedate", which was a Top 10 hit and has become one of the most impactful songs of the year. [edit] Acting career
Canela made his acting debut as Alfredo Torres in the hit telenovela Pecados Ajenos, in which he collaborated with Dominican singer Cristal Marie to create the theme song for the show. He then went on to appear in Doña Barbara.
In 2008, he starred in the critically acclaimed stage musical Miami Libre at the Arsht center.[4]
On January 16, 2009, Canela signed an exclusivity contract with Telemundo.[5]
In May 2009, he was cast as the star in Telemundo's latest telenovela, Más Sabe el Diablo, alongside Gaby Espino and Karla Monroig.[6]Television Year Title Role Notes 2007–2008 Pecados Ajenos Alfredo Torres Supporting role 2008 Doña Barbara Asdrubal Minor Role, Doña Bárbara's teenage years boyfriend, killed. 2009–2010 Más Sabe el Diablo Angel Salvador (aka El Diablo & Salvador Dominguez) Lead Role 2010 Las Cuatro Mujeres de Juan Juan Lead Role Television Guest Appearances Year Title Role Notes 2010 The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien (as Jencarlos; himself) Musical Guest - Amor Quédate (Episode 134) Film Year Title Role Notes 2010 Más Sabe el Diablo: El Primer Golpe Angel Salvador (aka El Diablo) Direct-to-DVD; prequel to novela
[edit] Personal life
Jencarlos is the Latin American ambassador for the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation and has worked alongside Meryl Streep, Robin Williams, and Ben Stiller to assist in helping people that suffer from paralysis.[2]
In 2008 he was voted People en Español's Sexiest Man,[2] and in 2009 he topped People en Español's Los 50 Más Bellos list.[7]
