Menudo is back Wait – Menudo went somewhere?
The OG boy-band that formed in 1977 – and seemed like it would live in perpetuity by constantly churning its lineup with younger members – has been technically dormant since disbanding in 2009. Though some former members carried on Menudo’s legacy with middling reunions under different names, the core Menudo brand hasn’t been active for more than 12 years.
Mario Lopez, actor and TV host, is leading the reconstitution. Auditions will begin online this month. Talent between 12 and 16 (which has been Menudo’s traditional age upper-limit) are invited to live auditions in multiple cities, including San Juan, Puerto Rico – where Menudo was first founded – in September.
“Like so many people across the globe, I grew up as a huge Menudo fan,”Lopez stated this in a statement. “I am so excited and honored to part of bringing this iconic Latin boy band back to the world!”
Lopez will host Weekly Highlight Videos on Menudo streaming services while the process plays over the coming months.
Menudo’s original lineup consisted of five members, made up of two sets of brothers. Through their golden age, the band became a model for boy bands to come – Backstreet Boys, NSYNC and even BTS and One Direction have fallen short of the global sensation that was once Menudo. The band produced solo stars, including Ricky Martin — Menudo’s most popular member during his 1984–1989 run.
Famously, the band replaced members who were not ready to join. “age out,” allowing Menudo to continue as a preteen sensation throughout the 1980s and ’90s. However, scandals, internal squabbling and money issues as well as a host other problems plagued the group. It was officially disbanded in 2009, after trying to make a comeback on MTV, but it was mostly ignored.