Leo

Originally, the Panamanian salsa vocalist Leo Almengor had no plans to build his reputation around singing. Early visibility came instead through modeling and acting work, with more than fifty commercials completed before he turned thirteen. His brother supplied the only musical spark during those years, frequently performing and joining Almengor on professional outings. In adolescence he met the producers Lali Carrizo and David Choy, who urged him to pursue a singing career. After entering several talent contests, he began recording advertising jingles. Steady vocal work soon generated live-performance offers, including an invitation to provide coro for Johnny Rivera’s band. His evident skill and stage command quickly attracted further opportunities alongside leading salsa figures such as Maelo Ruiz and Ismael Miranda. While accumulating these collaborations, Almengor assembled his own material and traveled to Puerto Rico to cut a debut solo album. The independent label that had signed him collapsed, leaving the salsa project unreleased. Discouraged, he redirected his focus toward ballads and pop arrangements. A year and a half later the resulting album, Historia de 2, was acquired by Sony Music and issued. Almengor then toured Central America in support, sharing bills with Chayanne and Victor Manuelle. His role in the telenovela Vivimos un Secreto broadened his profile across Latin America and expanded the audience for his recordings.