Pop superstar reveals he’s retiring from music at age 48 after selling 170 million records
HE’S the Latin heartthrob whose model good looks have made people weak at the knees for over two decades.
But next year, Enrique Iglesias, 48, will say a fond farewell to music with the release of his final album.
The pop pin-up has long planned to go out on a high, and there’s no better way to do it than following his huge arena tour with Pitbull and Ricky Martin.
Revealing how his next record will be his last, he told TODAY.com: “It’s finished. It’s actually coming out in February. It’s completely finished. What I want to do is shoot one or two videos right before the second leg on the tour and launch it.
“I’ve been working on this album for quite a bunch of years. And for me it was always like I said, my final album… this is it.
“I don’t think — no, I know, I won’t be doing any more albums.”
For some, the news will be deeply upsetting, while others will conclude the timing is right given the mixed reception to his performances on The Trilogy tour.
Hero singer Enrique has been going viral on TikTok after gig-goers shared footage of his erratic on-stage antics and strained vocals.
He has been seen knocking back what appears to be straight booze on stage and humping the floor as part of his sexualised show.
The questionable vocals, filmed by those in the front rows, have been met with disbelief online.
One person wrote: “Okay but like WHAT is happening? Does he usually lipsync over a track of his auto tuned self and they forgot and turned his mic on?”
Another said: “I’m fluent in English & Spanish and I have no idea what he’s saying?!?”
A third shared: “This cannot be real????”
Its all the more surprising given Enrique’s reputation as the King of Latin Pop with 170 million record sales worldwide.
The singer has had 14 number ones on the Billboard dance chart and two number ones on the main US chart.
Enrique is in a long-term relationship with former tennis star Anna Kournikova. The pair have always remained coy on their marital status, with Enrique saying it is not something he feels the need to publicly address.
They have three children – twins Nicholas and Lucy, five, and Mary, three.
Enrique has publicly praised his partner for her parenting skills, telling The Sun in October 2018: “Like any couple, you still go through your ups and downs, and it’s not always perfect. But it is perfect in a way.
“It’s incredible to watch her be such a great mother. It’s incredible to watch a mum do what she does, when a mother’s instinct kicks in.”