The documentary 'Menudo: Forever Young' claims serial rape and physical abuse inside the boy band.

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The documentary 'Menudo: Forever Young' claims serial rape and physical abuse inside the boy band.


Menudo might have been just another random male band with cheeky attitudes, mediocre dance skills, and synchronised spandex.

However, music promoter/manager Edgardo Daz cleverly recognised that the issue with boy bands is that the boys ultimately mature into men. So Daz made it a rule that once a member turned 16, he had to make way for a younger replacement.

Since its start in 1977, when Daz hired a turnstile of lads, the cast of Menudo - which means, among other things, "little" or "loose change" - has had dozens of performers.

What is its most renowned export? Ricky Martin

From, as "Menudo: Forever Young," a four-part HBO Max docuseries that premiered Thursday, reveals in harrowing interviews with 13 former members - not including Martin - life in the Puerto Rican-bred group, which split in 2009, was anything but a joyride.

Allegations against Daz include physical, sexual, and mental abuse; gruelling schedules and a lack of parental oversight (Daz required the boys' parents to sign over most legal rights before they could become members); and some typical showbiz deception (the multitalented Robby Rosa was passed off as 13 even though he was at least 15 because Daz wanted a bilingual member to help crack the U.S. market).

Diaz, it is stated at the conclusion of the third episode, did not react to requests for interviews or comments on the charges, and has rejected all allegations of abuse and mismanagement.

Early Menudo recruits Ricky Meléndez (1977–1984), Daz's cousin, and the still-charismatic Johnny Lozada (1980–1984) reveal vital historical information about the group's history, from control over their hair and attire to the proliferation of Menudo items.

However, some subsequent members have made more severe charges against directors ngel Manuel Soto and Kristofer Ros.

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Angelo Garcia, a Menudo member, claims he was raped many times.

Angelo Garcia claims he was "raped a succession of times" during his 1988 to 1990 employment with Menudo in the documentary's third chapter, fittingly titled "The Accusations."

Garcia describes being plied with booze by an anonymous individual in Menudo's entourage and passing out. "I was nude and bleeding when I woke up, so I knew I had been entered," he claims. "I had these burn scars from the rug on my face..." I was perplexed and didn't understand."

Garcia reportedly recounts being grabbed in an elevator by guys in Menudo's entourage.

The boy band members claim that the Menudo production staff threatened to touch their private areas.

Andy Blázquez (1991–1997) and Jonathan Montenegro (1990–1991) share virtually similar accounts about the Menudo production crew threatening the boys' private parts as a rite of passage into the group. As he was being held down, ready for the confrontation, the team members started to sing a goofy tune.

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"That was not humorous," Blázquez adds, adding that there was always an environment of "excessive sexualization" and anal sex remarks.

Claim: Menudo members were subjected to physical torture and were hospitalised after being forced to perform.

Members such as Montenegro and Rawy Torres (1989-1991) remember a dismal life in the group with no joking, laughing, or having fun.

More concerning, Montenegro relates an instance in which Daz started to grapple with two Menudo members in the back seat of a vehicle. As the scuffle continued, one of the kids dropped Daz's glasses down the vehicle floor. Daz retaliated by repeatedly striking the child, who was distressed but needed to shake it off to attend a press announcement. Montenegro claims he sought to help an anonymous gang member. "I knew it had occurred before," he adds.

Former members claim that performing when seriously unwell was also anticipated. Garcia complained of stomach troubles before a gig, and Daz informed him, "What's wrong with you is you don't want to work." Garcia raced off stage after the concert and vomited blood; he was subsequently brought to the hospital for a nearly ruptured appendix.

Garcia and Ray Acevedo (1985–1988) were both sent to the hospital while on tour in Latin America after frequently informing Daz that they didn't feel well; both were hospitalized with severe lung infections.

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Members allege Acevedo overlapped with Martin during his whole Menudo stint and expresses amazement that 

Mr. "Livin' La Vida Loca" become a worldwide sensation while being "the least gifted."

"Of all the members that came out of Menudo," Acevedo adds, "he was the least skilled, (but) the most attractive." "Ricky was the shining star."

Indeed, evidence indicates that the small Martin didn't provide much singing at the time, but he was nevertheless given the limelight due to his adorability and English proficiency.

Sergio Blass (1986 to 1991), a Menudo who was booted out of the group after being arrested for marijuana possession at Miami International Airport, claims Martin loved the "golden child" moniker.

Martin was regarded like a rookie despite his seniority over Blass.

"It was difficult to be with Ricky," Blass admits. "I had to answer the door whenever someone knocked." If the phone rang, I had to answer it. I resembled his housewife."


Source: https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2022/06/23/menudo-forever-young-documentary-alleges-rape-physical-abuse/7715174001/

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