Wrinkles on the face of Juanes tell stories. They carry pain, laughter, and doubt that life has offered, and he bears them with pride, as if they were treasures. Within those lines lie experiences that he channels into melody. So potent that he never hides them. He sings of love, despair, the universe, fire, and tragedy with a power etched into every scar. Perhaps this is how he turns the present into a shield for the future. People learn through hard experiences. This mindset deepens his appreciation when he steps on stage today, especially as he prepares to arrive in Seville this Thursday to attend the Latin Grammys. He approaches his career with the strength of experience and full artistic maturity. Popularity remains, yet the fire behind it feels different now.
Published last May, Daily life marks his tenth emotional release. It likely stands as the most honest album he has issued. There is no garnish or pretense in its eleven tracks, only a confession as raw as the folds of skin. With a warm attitude throughout, he joins the world tour of Grupo Prensa Ibérica’s El Periódico de España. The interview, though brief, unfolds with a candid, fast-paced rhythm that draws listeners in. At moments he falls silent for a beat, then he clears his throat and presses on. He often fuels the dialogue with quick, urgent responses that nonetheless invite further questions.
Daily Life is Juanes’ latest project since his 2000 breakthrough, a chapter that reflects a long arc of growth. The visuals and the musical choices accompany a journey through years of performance and exploration. The conversation reveals a music that remains intimate and honest, inviting fans to feel every heartbeat behind the notes. It is a tour through his personal and artistic DNA, a continuum of sound and story that resists being boxed into easy categories.
Daily Life It’s a tribute to his musical and personal DNA. When did innocence give way to experience?
As he matured, he learned to see the world with tempered eyes. At fifty-one, there is a curiosity to revisit childhood memories and weave them back into the present. The path of aging seems to reveal less certainty, yet it also points toward a desire to reclaim the purity of the soul. He walks that path with intention, unsure whether he has fully returned, but certain about the direction.
Did any new self-discoveries emerge through this process?
A lot, he responds. The aim is to introduce himself anew. Vulnerability appears as a strength, and sharing difficult truths can be healing. A moment of honesty can unlock a wider sense of connection and understanding for the artist and for listeners who hear themselves in the honesty.
Two tracks tackle Colombia, addressing the pain of disappearances and the protests that shaped the public conversation. Has his view of the country evolved?
A little, yet the date cannot be altered. Love is seen through new lenses, spanning not only romantic bonds but also the bond between parents and children affected by ongoing conflict. The memory of past turmoil, including police violence against students, remains a painful but instructive memory.
Can music heal the planet?
Art may not change behavior outright, but it can serve as a powerful tool for memory. Healing is not guaranteed, yet art can help keep truths alive and foster reflection.
Juanes will tour around the globe with dates stretching into the near future, a testament to the enduring appeal of his work.
What worries him?
The conflicts—Iraq and Ukraine, and the broader tensions in the Middle East—along with the rise of artificial intelligence. What will the next decade bring? Will society adapt to new tools, or will the tools overwhelm those they aim to serve?
You are accustomed to visiting many countries; how does feminism appear to him around the world?
In the United States, one hundred years ago, women did not vote. In Colombia, their role was barely acknowledged. He has two daughters and hopes they grow up in a world where equality is a given. Equal rights for everyone are essential, and mothers deserve gratitude for every step forward.
Have you ever felt like an object in a profession where image matters so much?
Perceptions can imprison a person. He faced that pressure early, enduring moments where he felt mischaracterized. Now, he understands himself and his path, though the era of labels like Latin lover feels reductive. It is unfair to stereotype entire nations or people based on a single trope.
At the end of a difficult period, he revealed long-standing struggles with depression. Did sharing that vulnerability liberate him?
Opening up about a tumultuous period around 2009-2010 was a relief. It allowed him to lean on family more openly. Today there is greater openness in many households, and while trouble still touches his children, communication helps. Talking is healing.
His five elder brothers taught him early on to play flute and guitar, shaping the musical path he would follow. The family and home environment, rather than fame, play a central role in his story. Fame he views as temporary and potentially sorrowful if not kept in balance.
What is it like to perform when the inner life feels heavy?
That moment can be devastating. He recalls a time when the weight of living intensely pushed him to the edge of despair. Yet it also tested his resolve and made clear the need to care for himself as well as his art.
Facing money, fame, and power, how did he avoid becoming a hollow icon?
Music started at home and school, with a simple love of singing and playing guitar. If tomorrow only five people listen, he would continue for them. Family, education, and home matter deeply; fame is transient and can bring more loneliness unless balanced with grounding values.
Looking back at a major achievement, what does he ask for today from a higher power?
His concept of the divine has shifted over thirty years. Today, faith feels more expansive and personal, while family remains central. He prays for them, for strangers, for plants and animals alike. Gratitude remains essential, even when disregard still exists in the world.