Ultimate Enrique - Interviews - Enrique Iglesias: "Sex is something constant in my life" (1998)

Enrique Iglesias:
"Sex is something constant in my life"

by Fátima Escobar

When Enrique Iglesias decided to embark on a career in music, he never imagined he would become one of the most sought after and applauded singers by his fans, which makes you think about what is the secret to his success. The answer is very simple: He is a spontaneous young man with a great passion for singing, song writing and giving himself fully to his audience.

As they say, “to each his own taste”, but it seems that Enrique Iglesias breaks that rule. Since September of 1995 the passionate screams of his fans began to be heard over songs like “Si tú te vas”, “Experiencia religiosa” and “Enamorado por primera vez”. Now, and after three years of overwhelming success, Enrique Iglesias returns with Cosas del amor, a production which includes six songs he wrote himself. “This is the most intimate and romantic CD I’ve done so far. I hadn’t felt so good for a long time and I still hadn’t exploded like I wanted to, but if God is willing, I hope that I’ve been able to accomplish that with this third CD.”

What is it that makes Enrique Iglesias, Enrique Iglesias?
I think I’m super spontaneous, but I’ll tell you something: I’m not interested in the show business world. What I do know is that I like to sing and write songs. It’s the only way I know how to express myself; it’s how I pour my heart out, and I’m the happiest person in the world when I’m in front of my audience.
How much marketing is there in the Enrique Iglesias phenomenon?
Like any other singer, and like Coca-Cola that also has marketing, but I people didn’t like it, they wouldn’t buy it. I think it’s just an incentive so that people will go and give the product a chance. If, afterwards, it’s not accepted and people don’t like it, they won’t buy it again. It’s that easy. No one is forced to buy my CDs. All singers when it comes right down to it use the same marketing, some on the radio, others on television, but the difference is that some sell and some don’t.

His inspiration: women

  What’s new on this CD?
It’s the most intimate and romantic CD I’ve done so far. On the first and second CDs I wrote the songs when I was, like, 15 or 16 years old, and now I was home for eight month just to reflect and to write because I thought that there should be a new stage in my life and my music, and you can really see that this CD has different language.
  What can you tell me about “Esperanza”?
I’ve never named a song or a CD after a woman, but I decided to do it.
  Is it something related to your life?
Everything I write is related to my life, in one way or another. Esperanza is a person who left me in less than a week. She’s no longer in my life, but she’s one of those people that you know you’re always going to remember.
  Tell me about the production of the CD.
I started to write the songs in December, and in March we started recording. There was pre-production here in Miami and later we went to Germany to do a lot of arranging/mixing.
  When you write, are women always your inspiration?
Yes, it’s always women.
  Have you ever felt like the “marionette” of any woman?
Of course I have.
  So, is “Ruleta Rusa” for dancing naked?
It’s for dancing naked, clothed or however you like.
  In which of your songs do you feel like you transmit everything?
In “Nunca te olvidaré.”
  When something happens to you, do you know at the time that you’re going to write about it?
If it really touches me, yes. Everything I write is something that happens to me. That’s why I don’t write that often, because I can’t imagine a story.
  Do you need to be in a certain mood to write?
Yes, I need to be sad, and sometimes, happy. I need to have something to pour out my heart or my frustations about. Writing is like going to a psychologist.
  How does one come up with good lyrics?
When they come from the heart, when they are really inspired.
  Do you think you have matured with this album?
I think so. It bothers me to say it, but, yes, it’s different as far as the vocabulary is concerned.
  How do you feel after giving a concert?
I feel alone. Onstage I’m the happiest person in the world, but then it’s over, and suddenly, there’s this enormous, deep silence. I never get depressed, but when I finished my tour on December 13 in Miami, I went into a depression and didn’t leave my house for two weeks. I don’t know why; it was strange. I was down and I didn’t want to do anything.
  Is it hard to live that kind of life?
It’s harder than what people think because not only do you have conflicts with work, but also personal problems, and sometimes, everything comes down on you at once and you say: “Screw this!” Even so, I can’t really complain. It would be wrong.
  Why such a radical change in your look? You have ever worn a suit before.
I don’t know. I never thought that was going to be the cover. It was something spontaneous. It was like I was thinking, “Ah, Enrique it going to be wearing a suit on the album cover!” It was just that when I saw the photo, I liked it; I felt comfortable with it, and besides, I think it goes well with the album.
  How do your life and your work as a singer go together? Do they feed off of each other, or does each have its own place?
They are totally unified; everything that happens in my life, I write about it and say things that I would never say face to face.

Money, success, and image

  You have always had an economically stable life...
That’s why I say that I can’t complain. I’m not a fussy person. What I was given was average. I didn’t get a car at age 16. I didn’t get a car until I was 18 and it was just one. I wasn’t a guy who threw away money and cried because they didn’t buy me something. I was really into sports. A guy who is really into sports usually isn’t fussy because sports are the only thing he likes.
  What does money mean to you?
Look, I would rather be happy and poor than happy and rich, but I’d also rather be rich and happy than a poor, unhappy devil. Money is important because with it I can invest in things for my career, I can buy myself a house; but that doesn’t mean that it will always bring you happiness. It brings you luxuries and fun, but it doesn’t mean that if you’re rich you will be happy.
  For what reason would you retire from music?
If I decided to have children.
  Where does your success lie?
In the lyrics of my music. Well, other things can also have an influence, of course. For example, charisma can have an influence, personality, and a lot of other things, but the only the that really counts is the record.
  Are you a self-critic?
Very much so. It’s my worst fault.
  So how much do you think your image has helped you?
Sure, your image really helps! If you ask a record company what they prefer: a good singer with nice songs, or a good singer with nice songs who is also good-looking; of course they’re going to tell you, “Of course, the good-looking one!” It has to do with a lot of things... there are millions of good-looking people, but in the end, a person sells because they have something special.

He prefers a life without fame

  Where were you most happy, with or without fame?
It’s not really about being happier, but it I could choose, I prefer a normal life. The only thing I know is that I’m the happiest person in the world when I’m with my audience, and that’s something I wouldn’t change for anything.
  Do you think it’s like an addiction?
It is an addiction.
  What is your opinion about drugs?
Which ones? Like Tylenol or aspirin? (laughs)
  No, like cocaine, LSD, or marijuana...
I can tell you the truth. Love, I had a friend that was so into drugs that he almost died, but I haven’t even smoked even a joint of marijuana, I swear. If you ask me my opinion, I think they’re no good. And it’s not only the drug you’re taking, but also where it came from, and all the things that have happened to get it to you. If they legalized drugs I don’t think there would be so many problems
  You don’t think that a person with a life as active as yours or any other artist’s might need drugs?
That’s a complete lie. A lot of people think that because we’re artists, we’re into drugs. I’m tired of going someplace and always having them offer me cocaine, as if they were sure that I would accept it. The thing is, the media is famous for that. I don’t know if some people do that, but I assure you that I don’t. I’m not going to judge someone that does it, it’s their body and they have the right to do whatever they want with it. That someone that smokes a joint of marijuana in front of you doesn’t mean anything.
  What do you do to get out of the “bubble of fame”?
The thing is, I’m not in it. I’m a normal guy, who is at home with his friends, and I live my life, really. So, I’m not in the “bubble of fame”. I don’t see it like that, I see it as work.
  After such success, is there anything you haven’t done yet? [
There’s a lot.
  Where do you think your success lies?
In my sincerity, even if when I say it it sounds idiotic, but I think I’m sincere. What you see, is what I am.
  Have you felt like you’ve had bad luck at any time?
Of course I’ve felt bad luck, but I think for me, it has come a little at a time.
  What do you need to be happy?
A woooomaaaaan! One who really loves me the way I am, who takes care of me, who protects me.
  Why do you think you haven’t found the woman of your dreams?
I don’t know. Hey, I’ve had a few good relationships, so I don’t want to say it’s because of bad luck.

He does not know envy or regret

  Do you believe in God?
Yes, a lot.
  Have you ever felt like you’re falling into an abyss?
No, I don’t think so.
  What do you do when you need to heal your soul?
I smoke a joint. (laughs) No, I’m joking. I have to do this a lot. I go to the ocean. It relaxes me a lot both physically and mentally. When you say “heal your soul”...

--- TO BE CONTINUED ---