The oldest member of the group is 19 year old Monti, whose full name is Jose Antonio Montanez. He's Puerto Rican, originally from Caguas, but now lives in Loredo, Texas, where his step dad is with the US Border Patrol. He's the "dad" of the group, a role he developed growing up during stressful years of relocation to different places (he learned English in Germany) while his stepfather was in the military. "What got me through was my music," Monti recalls. "Singing in my school choir, singing in the praise team in the church choir, joining the drama team, that really helped me get my mind and spirit together and stop worrying so much about the great danger my dad was in being in Iraq. It was hard for my mom, it was for my sister, and I had to step up and be a father figure to my little brothers." What does he bring to Menudo? With salsa, bachata, and merengue on his iPod, keeping his beloved Puerto Rico close to his heart, he's the traditional Latin one.
Hometown / Lugar de Residencia: Caguas, Puerto Rico
Favorite Band / Grupo Favorito: Luis Fonsi, Ivy Queen, Nelly Furtado, Ricky Martin, and Rakim & Ken-Y to name a few. / Luis Fonsi, Ivy Queen, Nelly Furtado, Ricky Martin, y Rakim & Ken-Y, para nombrar algunos
Favorite Subject in School / Materia Favorita en la Escuela: Science and Music / Ciencias y Música
What you look for in a girl / Qué buscas en una chica: I like a girl that takes good care of herself. I also like a nice smile, eyes, and legs. / Me gusta una chica que se cuida a sí misma. También me gustan una bonita sonrisa, ojos y piernas.
Sign / Signo: Aries
What you do in your spare time / Qué haces en tu tiempo libre: Hang out with family and friends, think about my dreams and goals, and just chill and listen to music. / Me reúno con mi familia y amigos, medito acerca de mis sueños y metas, y me relajo y escucho música
Favorite Sport/Team / Deporte/Equipo Favorito: Gymnastics. Federacion de Gimnasia en Puerto Rico. / La gimnasia. La Federación de Gimnasia en Puerto Rico
Favorite Video Game / Juego de Video Favorito: Halo 2
If You Were an Animal - What Would You Be / Si fueras un animal, cuál serías: I would probably be a dolphin. They're smart creatures and they live in the sea, which I love. / Probablemente sería un delfín. Son muy inteligentes y viven en el mar, el cual me encanta
The oldest member of the group is 19 year old Monti, whose full name is Jose Antonio Montanez. He's Puerto Rican, originally from Caguas, but now lives in Loredo, Texas, where his step dad is with the US Border Patrol. He's the "dad" of the group, a role he developed growing up during stressful years of relocation to different places (he learned English in Germany) while his stepfather was in the military. "What got me through was my music," Monti recalls. "Singing in my school choir, singing in the praise team in the church choir, joining the drama team, that really helped me get my mind and spirit together and stop worrying so much about the great danger my dad was in being in Iraq. It was hard for my mom, it was for my sister, and I had to step up and be a father figure to my little brothers." What does he bring to Menudo? With salsa, bachata, and merengue on his iPod, keeping his beloved Puerto Rico close to his heart, he's the traditional Latin one.
