Gerardo Mejía (born April 16, 1965 ), better known by his mononym Gerardo, is an Ecuadorian-born American rapper, singer and actor who later became a recording industry executive, and more recently a pastor.
Based in Los Angeles, California, Gerardo became known for his bandana, skintight jeans, locking, and shirtless torso.
He sometimes refers to himself as the "Latin Elvis" or the "Latin Frank Sinatra".
Gerardo Mejía Was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador.
When he was twelve years old, he and his family relocated to Glendale, California.
1987
Gerardo's first major appearance in show business was as Ricky in the 1987 feature film Can't Buy Me Love.
1988
He was later cast as the character Bird in the 1988 film Colors, about South Central Los Angeles gang violence.
This was also the first time his dance skills were showcased, in one of the party scenes; however, he did not sing at any point in the film.
1989
Gerardo is married to Kathy Eicher, a former pageant titleholder who was Miss West Virginia USA 1989, and they have three children: Nadia, Bianca, and Jaden.
1991
His hit single "Rico Suave" appeared on his 1991 debut album, Mo' Ritmo.
The album peaked at No. 36 on the Billboard 200 chart in June 1991; the single had peaked at No. 7 in April.
This song, as well as some others of Gerardo's, include verses with lines in both English and Spanish.
Although his following single "We Want the Funk" (a semi-remake of Parliament's "Give Up the Funk") peaked at No. 16, the popularity of "Rico Suave" has made Gerardo known as a one-hit wonder via sources including MTV, VH1, Synthesis Magazine and even Gerardo himself.
As an A&R executive at Interscope Records, Gerardo signed rapper Bubba Sparxxx.
2013
In a 2013 appearance on Katie Couric's show Katie, Gerardo discussed his newest life focus as a Christian youth pastor.
He was ordained as a pastor at Praise Chapel in Kansas City and pastors a church House of Grace in Ashland, Kentucky.
2016
Nadia is a model who competed in pageants like her mother, and won the title of Miss California USA 2016.
