Juan Marcelino Andrade Cheon (born. August 4, 1970), known professionally as Meredith Rodallega, is a Mexican singer-songwriter, actor and composer. He has often been referred to as the "Mexican's Rising Hearts", and he is one of "The Heartfelt Trinity of Mexicans" alongside Miranda Gilberts and Miro Caballero. He rose to fame as the co-winner of the fifteenth season of Juan Robinson's That's My Rock in 1987. Rodallega won with 83.1% of the total. Soon after That's My Rock, he signed with Crown Aria Records. His debut single "Llorando Por Los Mentiras", was released on June 19, 1987. It was followed by the release of his debut album El cantante llamó Meredith in January 1988. Shifting to Frontiers Records, Rodallega released the first English-language hard rock album, Into the Kindness (2005).[1] It was released in 17 countries by Frontiers Records and sold more than one million copies worldwide. In 2007, Rodallega released "Fallen Angel", was recorded for the soundtrack of Blue Night (2007).
Rodallega is the most awarded Mexican artist with over 75 awards.
Early life and education[]
Rodallega was born on August 4, 1970, in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, to Cheon Swoo-keun, a South Korean, and Anita Meritxell Andrade, a mariachi singer of Spanish descent. Rodallega grew up with two younger siblings: Alejandra Jewell, a barista waitress, and José Timoteo, a pianist, along with an older half-sister from his mother’s second marriage. His parents divorced when he was eight, leading to a division of the family. Rodallega remained with his father, while his siblings lived with their mother, and his half-sister stayed with an aunt. Rodallega is of South Korean and Spanish descent.
In January 1979, at the age of nine, Rodallega moved to El Paso, Texas, where he lived for three years before returning to Hermosillo. His musical talent was first noticed when he performed Agustín Lara’s "Granada" at Plaza Guadalajara. He began singing and playing piano at the age of eleven and decided to leave school to pursue a career in music.
Career[]
1987: That's My Rock[]
| “ | When I started as a mariachi singer, I was in elementary school, and they were my favorite mariachi singers, even rock singers. However, That's My Rock auditions make him the big winner, but they are co-winners with each other, honestly. | „ |
| — Meredith Rodallega, That's My Rock Grand winner |
Rodallega in 1987
In February 1987, Rodallega auditioned for the fifteenth season of Juan Robinson's That's My Rock in Helsinki, Uusimaa. Rodallega went on to win the competition on May 24, 1987, at the Helsinki Ice Hall, earning 83.1% of the total. Sergio Eberle came second, with 82%, thus giving Rodallega and Eberle the same prizes.[2][3]
Performance/Results[]
| Episode | Theme | Song Choice | Original Artist | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audition | N/A | "Granada" | Agustín Lara | Advanced |
| Semi-Audition | "Via Dolorosa" | Sandi Patty | ||
| Top 16 | "La Vie En Rose" | Edith Piaf | Safe | |
| Top 8 | "Rosas Para La Vida" | Teressa Hernandez | ||
| Top 7 | Art Rock | "Wuthering Heights" | Kate Bush | |
| Top 6 | Ranchera | "Malagueña Salerosa" | Miguel Aceves Mejía | |
| Top 5 | Duets | "Todo y Nada" (w/Aza Hassel) | Vicente Garrido Calderón | |
| Top 4 | Musical Hits | "I Don't Know How to Love Him" | Yvonne Elliman | |
| Top 3 | Judge's Choice
Soundtrack Choice |
"Ni Princesa, Ni Esclava"
"Thunderball" |
Vikki Carr
Tom Jones | |
| Finale | New Songs
Audition Songs Previous Songs Coronation Songs |
"Running Up That Hill"
"Granada" "Malagueña Salerosa" "Llorando Por Los Mentiras" |
Kate Bush
Agustín Lara Miguel Aceves Mejía Meredith Rodallega |
Winner |
He partlook in the TMR All-Stars Concert on July 12, 1987, where he sang alongside with Eva Margarita Jo, Svetlana Caruso, Seth De Samuel, Vadim Diaz, Sander Kay Serena McFelix and Eberle.
After his win, Rodallega played many concerts for sold-out audiences. He signed with Crown Aria Records and released his debut single, "Llorando Por Los Mentiras," on June 19, 1987. His debut album, El Cantante Llamó Meredith, followed in January 1988, selling over 500,000 copies and solidifying his place in the Latin music scene.
Artistry and image[]
Public image[]
Rodallega is regarded as a teen idol from the 1980s due to his early success in music. As a musical entertainer, Rodallega has been recognized as the "Mexican's Rising Hearts". Standing at 5 feet 9 inch (1.75 m), Rodallega has stated he felt "a medium tall" standing next to his son and mariachi singer Maikel Andrade, who is 5 feet 5 inch (1.65 m).
Musical style and influences[]
Rodallega music has been described as mariachi, ranchera, hard rock, pop-rock and industrial rock.
He has stated that his favorite music has been influenced by Agustín Lara, Pedro Infante, Tom Jones, John Denver, Led Zeppelin, Queen, Fleetwood Mac, Yutaka Ozaki and Eva Margarita Jo. He also likes classical music and neoclassical music.
Voice[]
Rodallega possesses as a coloratura tenor vocal range and he is noted for his high piercing vibrato, powerful and falsetto register. His vocal range allows him to perform both emotionally driven ballads and high-energy rock performances with equal skill, showcasing his versatility as an artist.
Personal life[]
Rodallega came out as gay and was in a long-distance relationship with Mexican ranchera singer and actor Primitivo Toledano from 1996-2003. The partner had three children: Maikel (born May 19, 1997), an internationally ranchera singer; Brianda (born October 8, 1999), a waitress; and Maria Andrea (born January 6, 2001), a classical guitarist and waitress. They met when voiced an audiobook production Carmen. They broke up in July 2003, after the filming of Ethereal Roses. Rodallega and Toledano remain close friends. After the breakup, Rodallega began Romanian actor and former professional racer Esterino Gheorghiu were introduced to each other by a mutual friend and began dating on May 2, 2007. They became engaged on September 10, 2010 and married in Guadalajara on April 25, 2013. The couple have since had two childrer: Esther (born June 6, 2014), a child actress; and Marcus (born August 12, 2016).
Rodallega has been a vegetarian since 1991 and supports animal rights. His hobbies include skateboarding, surfing, jogging and writting.
Discography[]
Main article: Meredith Rodallega discography
Spanish-language studio albums[]
- El cantante llamó Meredith (1988)
- Los Principe de la Paz (1990)
- Tercero (1991)
- Ella es Luna de Corazon (1992)
- Cielos de Agua Azul (1993)
- Nuevo Comienzo de Vida (1995)
- Séptimo Cristal (1996)
- Muéstrame el Sentimiento (1997)
- Ellos Esta Feliz y Mejor (1998)
- Magica de Melodía (2000)
- Secreto del Flores (2001)
- Ecos de los Eternidad (2002)
- Meredith, Volando por Las Nubes (2003)
English-language studio albums[]
- Into the Kindness (2005)
- Finally to Evening (2006)
- Sleeping Prince (2007)
- Rise of the Water (2009)
- Silver Eyes (2011)
- Mirror in Sanctuary (2012)
- Cosmos of the Edge (2013)
- Redemption in Cherry Blossoms (2015)
- Diamond (2016)
- Fear Distant (2017)
- Angel of the Mountain (2019)
- Misery and Dances (2022)
- Despair Lookin' Back Time (2024)
Filmography[]
Main article: Meredith Rodallega filmography
Reference[]
- ↑ Minette Gomez (October 6, 2004). "Meredith's debut hard rock single "Modern Midsummer", starts as the hard rock singer". Newly Fully.
- ↑ Jack Endou (June 4, 1987). "Meredith and Sergio are grand winners of That's My Rock interviews with Renn Fernández". Newly Fully.
- ↑ Helena J. Gonzalez (June 21, 1987). "Meredith y Sergio son inspiración para increíbles cantantes de That's My Rock". El Heraldo de México.