From Valencia, Spain, Aritz Arén is a famous dancer and choreographer. Recently, he undertook the adventure of becoming a professional singer and even participated in the 2023 Benidorm Fest. He talks about his relationship with all his crafts and his future in music.

You started dancing as a child in Shanghai with acrobatic dance. What does this experience mean to you as a dancer today?

Aritz Arén: Dance as we know it now in Spain has nothing to do with what it was 10 or 15 years ago. I’m super grateful to have travelled and trained in countries where dance had a pretty big evolution and repercussion, and to bring all that back with me here.

You stopped at the age of 12, but later on, dance came back into your life. What reawakened this interest?

When I was a kid, my personnality and me sexuality were not yet formed. At that age, I was considered weird by my peers because I didn’t do what everyone else did. Sadly, I didn’t know how to handle it and ended up giving up that part of me for many years. At 19, I felt an existential void and was submitted to substantial inner-chaos. I decided I didn’t care what people may think of my and went back to that artistic side that made me so happy. .

You’ve danced all over the world. What’s your favorite place you have visited?

Aritz Arén: My favourite will always be China. I lived there for almost 6 years and when I moved back to Spain, I had a hard time adapting. It was there that I started living life fully, so I felt as though I was more part of their culture than of the Spanish one.

You’re a versatile artist. What would you choose between dance and music?

People love asking me that. The truth is I don’t want to give up any of them, but currently, I’m more focused on music.

At what point did you realize that you’d also like to be a singer?

I’ve always wanted to, but we live in a world were all we ever want are result. We’re never eager to trust the process, nor one’s dreams. As I said earlier, I had a hard time building my personality and I still feel it constantly changing, so it took a long time for me to go down this path because I always got labeled as a professional dancer.

How did you end up interpreting Flamenco?

The song was made and written, but they couldn’t manage to find a performer who could fit the concept. They tried out some people, but I ended up landing the song.

How was your experience at the Benidorm Fest?

It was a bit crazy. I would have like some more experience, not only in music, but with the media, as well as socially. As a dancer, I’ve always been very natural and there were times where I did not use the correct words. I wasn’t focused because I’ve never had to weigh everything I say so I’m not misinterpreted. Nevertheless, I’m happy with what we did, me and my team.

You just released a new single, “Me Tienes Como”. What can you tell us about this new song? What was the creative process like?

The song is about a very personal situation were heart and head were at different points. It speaks of the moment when you don’t know if pursuing a relationship with someone who makes you feel so crazy in love, but at the same time, aren’t sure if they could be part of your lifestyle.

Can you tell us more about your next projects?

Right now, I’m creating music non-stop. I hope one day I can become an artist of which my fans and myself can be proud of.

CREDITS:
Director: Alejandro Bernal
Director’s assistant: Domenica Bravo
Photographer: Juan Bedoya
Makeup and hairdressing: David Lupu
Styling: Adrian Ciriza
Text : Malena Cortizo A.

Special thanks to:
Ayuntamiento de Villaviciosa de Odón
Casa Palacio Manuel Godoy