Christian Chávez
Christian Chávez in 2017.
Born
José Christian Chávez Garza

(1983-08-07) August 7, 1983
Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico[1]
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • actor
Years active2002–present
Spouse
William John Murphy
​
​
(m. 2005; div. 2009)​
Musical career
Genres
Instrument(s)Vocals
Formerly ofRBD

José Christian Chávez Garza (Spanish pronunciation: [xoˈse ˈkɾistjan ˈtʃaβes ˈɣaɾsa],[2] born August 7, 1983), most often known as Christian Chávez is a Mexican singer, songwriter and actor, best known for his role as Giovanni Méndez López in the telenovela Rebelde and its spin-off pop group RBD.

Career

In 2002, Chávez was cast as Fernando 'Fercho' Lucena in the telenovela Clase 406.[3] The series had four seasons and 350 one-hour episodes in total.

In 2004, Chávez joined a new telenovela Rebelde as one of the lead characters, Juan "Giovanni" Méndez López, a mischievous and rebellious student at a private boarding school in Mexico.[4] Chávez became widely known for his ever-changing hair colors.

The success of Rebelde launched RBD composed of Chávez, Anahí, Dulce María, Christopher von Uckermann, Maite Perroni, and Alfonso Herrera. The group made 9 studio albums, including records in Spanish, Portuguese and English. To date, they have sold over 20 million albums worldwide, and toured across Mexico, South America, Serbia, Romania, the United States, and Spain. On August 15, 2008, RBD released a message telling fans that they had decided to split up.[5] They went on one final tour, Gira Del Adios World Tour which ended in 2008. To this day, RBD is considered the most successful pop group in Mexican history.

In June 2007, Chávez briefly appeared in the stage shows Hoy No Me Puedo Levantar, and in May 2008 he participated in Avenida Q (the Mexican version of Avenue Q), where he played the main puppet characters Eugenio (Princeton) and Rodrigo (Rod); his presence on the shows was intended to be one of the main box office attractions.

After RBD's breakup, Chávez launched his career as a solo recording artist. His first studio album, Almas Transparentes,[6] peaked at number 56 on the Mexican pop charts.

In April 2011, Chávez released the provocative music video for his single "Libertad", featuring former co-star Anahí, which became an instant sensation on YouTube with more than 1,000,000 views within three days of its upload. The video featured Chávez in a church confessional telling a priest he was not sorry for his sexual preference; it featured a cameo by Perez Hilton. "The video looks super sexy", Hilton gushed on his blog. "It's inspired us to unleash our own LIBERTAD."[7] "Libertad" continues to be an anthem for the gay youth throughout Latin America.

On August 14, 2012, Chávez released the highly anticipated album Esencial, an acoustic compilation of songs performed at his show in São Paulo, Brazil in January 2012. People en Español called the release of his single, Sacrilégio, "the return of Christian Chávez".[8] A red carpet presentation of Esencial was held in Mexico City in June. Chávez performed duets with RBD co-star Maite Perroni and Mexican pop/rock singer Ana Victoria.

"Sacrilegio", a track on Esencial also released as a single, immediately landed in the top 10 on Mexican pop charts. Other notable songs on the album include "No Me Olvides", written for Chávez by Mexican singer Juan Gabriel, and a remake of "¿En Donde Estas?" sung as a duet with Indonesian pop star Agnes Monica.[9]

A DVD version of Esencial was released in late 2012.

In 2016, Chávez appeared on the telenovela Despertar contigo, marking his first telenovela role since Rebelde.[10] In addition, Chavez revealed he was recording new music.[10]

In October 2020, Chávez Participated on the Reality Show of the Spanish Version of “The Masked Singer”, ¿Quién es la máscara? on the 2nd Season as a Black Panther, and was eliminated on the 4th Episode.[11][12]

In 2020, Chávez appeared on Netflix's Original Serie The House of Flowers as a supporting role character, "Pato Lascurain".

Personal life

Coming out

Chávez in 2006

In March 2007, a magazine published pictures of Chávez signing documents and exchanging rings with another man, allegedly his Canadian boyfriend (later identified as B.J. Murphy), outing Chávez with them. The pictures had been taken in 2005, the year in which same-sex marriages became legal in Canada.[13] There was significant speculation over how the photos were obtained as the ceremony had only included immediate family.

Chávez, who in October 2006 denied rumors of homosexuality,[14] declared in March 2007, in a message posted on RBD's website, that the photos showed a part of him that he had not been willing to discuss previously.[15]

The message, interpreted by many reports as Chavez's official decision to come out of the closet, made international headlines due to Mexico's traditionally conservative roots.[16][17][18] Chavez is described as the first high-profile figure in Mexican showbiz to come out.[16]

In an interview with Televisa approximately three months after his coming out, Chávez said the decision allowed him to "begin a healing process in which I left things behind and began many wonderful things."[19]

In April 2007, People en Español published a report claiming that Chavez and then-husband BJ Murphy maintained a physically abusive relationship, which Chávez denied.[20]

In May 2007, Chávez was arrested for allegedly buying marijuana in New York City.[21] Chavez subsequently apologized.[21]

In 2009, Chávez confirmed he and Murphy were seeking a divorce.[22] The reason for their separation had been the subject of much speculation, but Chávez insisted that their relationship did not end on bad terms: "[Murphy] is a person I love and respect; I also admire him as a professional."[22]

In March 2012, Chávez confirmed he was dating Los Angeles real estate agent Ben Kruger after photos of them together were published in the tabloid TV Notas and later People en Español.[23]

In late April 2013, Chávez, by then broken up with Kruger, was arrested along with Kruger in their Beverly Hills apartment for alleged domestic violence.[24] This followed an incident in February that same year, where Chávez was accused of throwing a cinder block through a skylight at the apartment.[24] Charges related to the late April incident were later dropped due to lack of evidence, as Chávez and Kruger placed blame on each other.[25]

In October 2013, Chávez published multiple pictures on his Twitter account showing his bloodied wrists in what appeared to be a suicide attempt.[26] Chavez reportedly immediately returned to Mexico from Los Angeles to enter a rehabilitation program. On October 10, 2013, Chávez released a video of himself which was uploaded to his YouTube channel, where he explained that he had attempted to commit suicide, and the photos he had uploaded were real.

In the aftermath of the suicide attempt, Latin Times released a letter purportedly written by Kruger, describing what happened that led to his highly publicized arrest with Chávez a few months prior.[27] Among other things, Kruger accused Chávez of numerous instances of lying and infidelity, and also accused members of the media of collusion with Chavez and failing to provide fair coverage.[27] In addition, Kruger claimed that Chavez was still married to Murphy for the duration of Chávez's relationship with Kruger, as Chávez lacked sufficient financial resources to initiate divorce proceedings.[27]

In 2015, Chávez revealed that, shortly after he uploaded the photos, his former bandmate and close friend Anahí rushed to his apartment and "saved his life".[28]

In 2020, Dutch makeup artist Maico Kemper also came forward with domestic violence allegations stating he ended their relationship after a heated argument in which Christian smashed a bottle of tequila over his head and he lost consciousness. Photos of the injury were released in the media.[29] Christian denied the allegations and accused Kemper of slander.[30]

Awards and recognition

In 2010, Chávez was recognized as one of People en Español's 50 most beautiful.[31]

During the 22nd GLAAD Media Awards in 2011, Chávez received an award for Outstanding Spanish-Language Music Artist for his album Almas Transparentes.[32]

Filmography

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2002–03 Clase 406 Fernando 'Fercho' Lucena Main role; Soap opera
2004–06 Rebelde Giovanni Méndez López Main role; Soap opera
2007 RBD: La Familia Chris Main role; TV series
2009–10 Hasta que el dinero nos separe Sergio Telenovela
2012 Fixing Paco Daniel TV series
2016 Despertar contigo Christian Telenovela
2018 Rosario Tijeras Mateo Prieto 'El Guarro' TV series, telenovela
2018 Like Gabo Main role; Telenovela
2020 La Casa de las Flores Patricio "Pato" Lascuráin Netflix TV series
2020 Cómo Sobrevivir Soltero Christian Amazon Prime
2021 Madre sólo hay dos Manolo Netflix TV series
2021 La suerte de Loli Matías Telemundo
2023 Drag Race México Himself/guest judge MTV/Paramount+

Reality show

Year Title Role
2014 Top Chef Estrellas Himself (contestant)
Esse Artista Sou Eu Himself (contestant)
Esse Artista Sou Eu performances
Episode Artist covered Song Result
1 Ricky Martin "Livin' La Vida Loca" Safe
2 Village People "YMCA ft. Macho Man" Safe
3 Justin Timberlake "SexyBack" Safe
4 Psy "Gangnam Style" Safe
5 John Lennon "Imagine" Safe
6 Michael Jackson "Billie Jean" Safe
7 MC Guimê "Na Pista Eu Arraso" Safe
8 Lady Gaga "Bad Romance" Safe
9 Luciano Pavarotti "Caruso" Safe
10 Pharrell Williams "Happy" Safe
11 Thalía "María la del Barrio" Safe
12 Mick Jagger "Satisfaction" Safe
13 Alejandro Sanz "Corazón Partío" Safe
14 One Direction "What Makes You Beautiful" Safe
15 Marilyn Manson "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" Safe
16 The Black Eyed Peas "Boom Boom Pow" Safe
17 Boy George "Karma Chameleon" Safe
18 Cee Lo Green "Fuck You" Third place

Discography

Studio albums

Extended play (EP)

  • 2011: Libertad EP
  • 2012: Esencial EP
  • 2018: Conectado

Live album

Singles

  • 2010: ¿En Dónde Estás?
  • 2010: Almas Transparentes
  • 2011: Libertad (con Anahí)
  • 2012: Sacrilégio
  • 2012: Mas Vale Tarde Que Nunca (con Ana Victoria)

Tours

  • 2009: Christian Pocket Show
  • 2010: Libertad World Tour
  • 2012: Esencial Tour

References

  1. ↑ "Christian Chávez - Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes.
  2. ↑ In isolation, Garza is pronounced [ˈɡaɾsa].
  3. ↑ Clase 406, retrieved October 29, 2019
  4. ↑ "Christian Chavez" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on December 11, 2012. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  5. ↑ "RBD CALLS IT QUITS!". Amoeblog. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
  6. ↑ "Christian Chavez* - Almas Transparentes". Discogs. March 23, 2010. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
  7. ↑ Cobo, Lilian (April 8, 2011). "Christian Chavez Turns Heads With Provocative 'Libertad' Video". Billboard.
  8. ↑ "VÍDEO – "Sacrilegio" marca el regreso de Christian Chávez" [VIDEO – "Sacrilegio" marks the return of Christian Chávez]. People en Español (in Spanish). May 22, 2012. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  9. ↑ Agnes Monica & Christian Chavez - En Donde Estas / Kau Dimana / Where Did You Go, archived from the original on December 19, 2021, retrieved October 29, 2019
  10. 1 2 Roiz, Jessica Lucia (May 16, 2016). "Christian Chávez Comeback: Mexican Star Returns To Telenovelas, Music With New Projects". Latin Times. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  11. ↑ TIM, Televisa (November 2, 2020). "¿Quién es la máscara? 2020". Televisa (in Spanish). Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  12. ↑ TIM, Televisa. "¿Quién es la máscara? 2020". Televisa (in Spanish). Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  13. ↑ "RBD's Christian Chávez Opens Up About Being Gay". People en Español. Archived from the original on January 9, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
  14. ↑ "RBD's Christian Chávez Opens Up About Being Gay". People en Español. July 11, 2007. Archived from the original on April 15, 2018. Retrieved April 14, 2018. Chávez had vehemently denied his sexual orientation telling PEOPLE EN ESPAÑOL last October: "If you are what you are, then do it, tell it, yell it out, but I am not gay and no one has the right to make up things about me."
  15. ↑ "Message from Christian Chavez". groupo-rbd.com. Archived from the original on March 5, 2007. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  16. 1 2 Brosnan, Greg (March 3, 2007). "Gay pop star's "coming out" causes stir in Mexico". Reuters. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  17. ↑ Hayes, Christopher (March 5, 2007). "Mexico rocked by gay pop star". PinkNews. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  18. ↑ "Mexican singer breaks gay taboo". BBC News. March 5, 2007. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  19. ↑ "Mexican pop star Christian Chavez says coming out let him live as he always wanted". International Herald Tribune. Associated Press. June 6, 2007. Archived from the original on June 9, 2007. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  20. ↑ "Christian Chávez niega haber abofeteado a su pareja" [Christian Chávez denies slapping his partner]. People en Español (in Spanish). Archived from the original on October 22, 2007. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  21. 1 2 "Christian Chávez Was Arrested for Buying Marijuana in NY". People en Español. September 10, 2007. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  22. 1 2 "Christian Chávez confirma divorcio de su esposo" [Christian Chávez confirms divorce from his husband]. People en Español. June 11, 2009. Archived from the original on December 25, 2009. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  23. ↑ "Christian Chávez confirma noviazgo" [Christian Chávez confirms engagement]. People en Español (in Spanish). March 5, 2012. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  24. 1 2 "Christian Chavez Domestic Violence Arrest – Tweet Triggered Fight". TMZ. May 1, 2013. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  25. ↑ "Christian Chavez's Domestic Violence Case With Boyfriend Dropped". Fox News. May 3, 2013. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  26. ↑ Schiavo, Amanda (October 7, 2013). "Did Christian Chavez Attempt Suicide? Singer Says Twitter Photos A Joke, Family Confirms His 'Extreme Crisis' [VIDEO]". Latin Times. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  27. 1 2 3 Valdez, Maria G. (October 11, 2013). "Ben Kruger, Christian Chavez Ex-Boyfriend, Opens Up About Abusive Relationship And Singer's Latest Suicide Attempt in Heartfelt Letter". Latin Times. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  28. ↑ Contreras, Milly (November 16, 2015). "Former RBD Star Christian Chávez Revealed Anahí Saved Him After Suicide Attempt [Watch]". Latin Post. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  29. ↑ Christian Chávez: Su novio lo acusa por agresión | Un Nuevo Día | Telemundo, retrieved June 8, 2021
  30. ↑ "Christian Chávez rompe el silencio sobre la denuncia de su ex por violencia doméstica". People en Español (in Spanish). Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  31. ↑ "People En Español's 50 Más Bellos 2010" [People En Espanol's 50 most beautiful 2010]. Latin Gossip (in Spanish). April 27, 2010. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  32. ↑ "22nd GLAAD Media Award recipients". GLAAD. Archived from the original on August 24, 2011. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
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