Pablo Montero

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Pablo Montero (born August 23, 1974) is a popular Mexican singer and actor. Montero is better known for his singing career; in fact, it was his career as a singer that has led him towards becoming an actor.

Montero was born Oscar Daniel Hernandez in Torreón, Coahuila, Mexico. Known for his use of "charro" hats and black clothing during his concerts, he is considered to be a teen idol and paparazzi favorite in Mexico. He is also well known in the rest of Latin America, Australia, Europe, and the Hispanic community of the United States.

When Montero was a teenager, he had his first professional singing job as the lead singer of a group named "Trébol", which had a number one hit titled "Si tu Supieras" ("If You Knew"), a song that was later sung by Alejandro Fernández for the soap opera titled Maria Isabel, where Adela Noriega and Fernando Carrillo starred as the protagonists.

Montero opted for a career as a solo artist shortly after this, struggling in local bars and clubs until he got his big break in 1999 when his album Donde Estas, Corazon? (Where Are You, My Heart?) became the number one album on Mexico's charts. The album's success launched his image as a "ranchera hunk" and led to his acting debut in Vivo Por Elena (I Live for Elena), where he played a struggling young singer. This was followed by acting roles in Nunca te Olvidare (I Will Never Forget You), Abrazame muy Fuerte (Hold me Tight), Rebecca, and Entre El Amor y El Odio.

His 2000 album, the self titled Pablo Montero produced the number one hit "Que Voy a Hacer sin Ti?" ("What am I Going to do Without You?"). In 2001, Montero joined other artists invited to the White House South Lawn for a Cinco de Mayo Fiesta, where he serenaded First Lady Laura Bush. Pablo Montero was followed by 2002's "Pidemelo Todo" ("Ask Me for Everything"), which also included a number one hit single in "Hay Otra en tu Lugar" ("There's Another One in Your Place"). Also in this latter album was the great hit to the soap opera Gata Salvaje, which was titled the same as the soap opera and reached the top ten list on the charts. Later this year he was honored in Australia for his acting as Martin in Rebecca. He has composed the songs for various shows including Olvidarte Jamas, Gata Salvaje, La Revancha, Abrazame Muy Fuerte, Duelo de Pasiones and the controversial movie El Crimen del Padre Amaro.

Montero spent most of 2003 touring and preparing an album which was dedicated to legendary Mexican singer Javier Solis. This album hit the markets later in the year and was well received on a national level. He was involved in a scandal during 2003 because he had apparently not paid his employees during instances that he hadn't required them, such as when he was on tour, and then fired them when they demanded payment. He lost the case and was forced to pay them a settlement.

In 2005, Montero signed a recording contract with Univision Records, and was featured in an ad campaign by clothing company Hanes with the slogan "Mira quien tiene Hanes" ("Look who we've got our Hanes on now"). He and Aracely Arámbula were both featured in the campaign for the Spanish language advertising. The English version of the campaign has included celebrities like Michael Jordan, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Marisa Tomei, Damon Wayans, and Matthew Perry. Montero ended 2005 with the release of his first album under Univision Records, "A Toda Ley."

In 2006, Montero starred in the Mexican soap opera Duelo de pasiones, which aired on Univision during 2007. He was then involved in a series of speculations about a possible romance with the female lead, Ludwika Paleta, who is married to Mexican actor Plutarco Haza. They (Pablo and Ludwika) kept denying the speculations about the two being involved in an affair until a video was made public in which they were seen making-out. This is said to have caused Ludwika Paleta's separation from her husband. Paleta and Plutarco Haza later reconciled.

On August 31, 2007 two days after presenting the nominees for the 2007 Latin Grammy Awards - Miami Police reported that they stopped Montero and a passenger after his white BWM SUV ran through a red light. During the investigation, police reported discovering a clear bag that tested positive for cocaine, which Montero claimed as his. However in court the following month, Montero pleaded not guilty to cocaine possession, was found guilty, and was sentenced to probation, pending completion of a drug court program. Montero was jailed in 2008 for violating the terms of his probation, but released on the condition that he complete a drug rehabilitation program. On Friday, February 20, 2009, Montero graduated from his drug treatment program. On June of 2010, his brother, Oliver, was murdered in an attempting robbery.

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