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8 p.m. at Bugaloos
My phone quiets.
His manager informed me that Maluma would be a few hours late for our first official date.
Its more than all right.
The last group of diners settles their check, leaving the place tantalizingly ours for the night.
I order a local pilsner at the bar and wait, anticipation humming in the thick, salty air.
Maluma strides toward me, an open, crocheted shirt revealing a canvas of tattoos.
Dior shirt. GLD earring. Veneda Carter necklace. Martine Ali ring.
He is casual from his sandy feet to his tight braids.
His eyes are hidden behind tinted brown aviators.
Ive always heard that Colombians speak Spanish like they’re about to cry.
Shirt, pants, and belt by Saint Laurent. GLD earring. Martine Ali ring.
Shirt, pants, and belt by Saint Laurent.
His very own paraiso.
This is where I come to disappear, he says.
Stella McCartney suit. GLD earring.
Here, I am just Juan Luis.
All my friends here are local.
The captain of the boat, [the people] in the coffee shop.
GLD earring. Veneda Carter necklace.
That’s my people here.
Its actually the same brand that breaks the initial awkwardness of our beachside dinner.
Specifically, a Calvin Klein campaign he shot with photographer Mario Sorrenti a few years ago.
Gucci sunglasses. Veneda Carter necklace.
So what was it like to be an underwear model?
I ask, not quite sure where to begin.
Istarvedmyself for 12 days before that shoot, he says.
Tank top, pants, and belt by Gucci. Earring and bracelet by GLD.
I almost passed out.
Now I am sharing a plate of coconut shrimp and shooting the shit (too soon?)
with a millennial bro who just binged the Netflix documentaryLive to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones.
Tiffany necklace.
A music nerd who thinks that Rosalia is the greatest.
Juan Luis Londono Arias was born in 1994 in Medellin, Colombia.
His planned musical success is how he would help his family out of financial struggles.
Stella McCartney trousers. GLD earring. Veneda Carter necklace.
But first, a stage name worthy of reggaeton greatness.
I couldnt be Juan Luis.
Juan Luis is like an artist from the 80s or 90s, he saysin his documentary.
Shirt and shorts by Dior.
I spent like two weeks before going to the studio, thinking about the name.
My mom got super mad at me, he says.
For example, in Felices los 4 from his third studio album,F.A.M.E.
GLD earring.
(2018), he explores the complexities of a forbidden affair.
In Hawai from the albumPapi Juancho(2020), he reflects on heartbreak and moving on.
If youre not swooning yet, take a scroll through his Instagram.
Posts feature regular glimpses of his physique, often shirtless or sweating through an intense workout session.
I texted my friend Caroline who does influencer marketing and asked her to run Malumas analytics for me.
I like it, and I have fun with it…I need that spice in my life.
She paused, brush in hand, and gave a knowing smile.
Maluma, baby, she said with a wink, invoking his famous tagline.
Then added in Spanish, Si no estuviera casada lo parto de dos.
(Translation: She would like to have vigorous sex with himif only she werent married.)
Not the response I was expecting from a 50-something mother of three.
Tank top, pants, and belt by Gucci.
Earring and bracelet by GLD.
Maluma, baby, knows how to give the ladies what they wantand its working.
Straight men obviously listen to Malumas music, too.
They just might tend to gravitate to his more aggressive reggaeton and trap hits.
The album delves into the struggles and triumphs of their respective journeys while also stroking the male ego.
To date, Maluma has topped Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart with 24 hits, landed three No.
They show up on his album art and in his music videos.
He even takes them on for his red carpet appearances.
You want to live forever for your kids.
Truth be told, the character schtick served him welluntil it didnt.
But they were like, No, you don’t need to build any character.
We love when you are you.
I was overthinking too much.
Now I just need to do what my heart tells me to do.
Shirt and shorts by Dior.
The past 12 months have been dedicated to unpacking that sweet sentiment.
I dont bother to ask about the name because I can do the math.
I do ask if fatherhood has changed him.
And I love it.
Now, I wake up every day with the desire to conquer the world.
I know I have to fucking kill it.
For Paris, nothing is impossible.
You have to lead by example.
You want to live forever for your kids.
I want to make her proud.
Were giving them the tools that can change their story.
It’s still the same essence, but more mature I would say, and more chill.
I’m just vibing.
I’m having fun being with my family, but Im also having fun being onstage.
Im doing things that I love, and finally, I feel like I’m on the right path.
It’s difficult to find that balance, but I’m there.
I’m there and working for it.
And what about Maluma, baby?
I need the spice in my life, he says.
He repeats himself: I need that spice.
And I believe him.
Comprised of three villas, the property is adaptable to the needs of parties from 2 to 20.
All 3 villas have their own private entrances, parking, pools, and walkways down to the beach.
