ROMEO SANTOS

I've been able to perform in front of thousands of people on stage in a character that's nothing like me. I'm very shy.

I never think about any of my accomplishments and I always get butterflies in my stomach and I never get too comfortable with the status.

I try to transmit emotion and soul in my voice, but my true passion has always been writing. I feel more like a writer than anything else.

I want to try different things but, most importantly, always be true to my roots and keep it organic. I'm never going to leave bachata behind. I'm always going to be a bachatero first.

Part of my success with urban bachata is reinventing yourself as an artist and continuing to give people different kind of fusions, mixing up the elements and concepts without changing the beat.

My life is nothing like my videos. I'm definitely not walking around with lots of hot women, as I am in my videos.

I want to touch people's lives with my music and my lyrics.

It's really sad for me that in the United States the Latino community is losing its culture and language, especially among kids born here - a lot of them can't even speak our language.

I don't tweet very much. I still believe in the mystery of an artist. I believe in going out when I'm ready to sell my product. A lot of artists are out there every day. But I remember the Julio Iglesiases, the Jose Joses - and it was about the music.

I really just compete against myself. I look at my previous material and try to surpass what I've done.

My biggest tunes - 'Eres Mia,' 'Llevame Contigo,' 'Propuesta Indecente' - they aren't featuring anyone but me.

English is my first language, but musically speaking, I write my music in Spanish.

If you think of any strange fusion with bachata, most likely, we've done it. It's bachata mixed with different elements. We don't follow any style.

You have to be confident about the product you're putting out. It's just like when a boxer is promoting a fight. You can't go out there and be like, 'This guy might beat me.'

I'm not just selling out Yankee Stadium; I'm selling out stadiums in Mexico, in Argentina - with my bachata. I try to stay true to what I do.

I'm always onstage, and everyone there already loves me, so I go with this certain confidence.

When I sing, I try to communicate certain emotions, and that's the voice that comes out.

I feel like the best relationships I've been in are those where things were more laid-back.

This Romeo character is something I decided to create, like my alter ego. So the name Romeo was invented from the original Romeo and Juliet. I wanted to show people I'm like a modern Romeo.

The way Aventura became successful was so weird. We didn't have a major label. They say everything has a reason, but it's not easy to find. The only thing that was right was the music.

I don't know if I believe in marriage - I believe in love.

I was extremely shy. I am still shy, but I won't show it on stage.

I always had this fascination with superheroes. Who didn't love Hulk and Spider-Man?

When I get on the stage, I try to connect with the fans and offer them the best of the best. I want them to see it as a music journey.

I grew up listening to bachata, to some of the greats of the genre. But it was very natural for me to create this type of fusion and to incorporate new beats.