Ie ay aa JON SECADA XBR UA TU FAMILY, FRIENDS AND HIS ROYAL CONNECTIONS with, a a outa ay (0 Keep ‘world in perfect harmony L Dut Jon Seca all aspects of h AL-8, the soulfl singer who shot to fame almost 20 yeats ago with his hit single “Just Another Day" is as busy as ever, but he makes at his Mediterranean-style home When he's not tra 32, Jon can be found workin a, cooking breakfast with hi 2, and Jon Henri, enjoving Maritere, his wile of Ld years Roots are important to the Havana, Cuba: iam with his He credits the he city with helping, sie. But the biggest sical mentor Gloria Estefan, She and her husband, Emilio, hired him first as a backs ng writer, then encouraged him to spread his ‘wings as a solo artist, Jon went on to write or stars like Jennifer Lopez and Rick) selling 20 mnillion records in his ovn right. “Til always be thankful t0 the Estefans," he says Here, Jon opens the doors of his sprawling Miami mansion’ to talk about friends, family...and why he may have scored an invitation to the April wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, orn crooner, who moved t Jon, what was your life ike growing up? My childhood was really based in Miami. 1 left Cuba when [was eightand I grew up in south ida. I was raised in a part of Miami chat y Latin. I grew up very close wo all the raditions, even though I left Cuba Early on, we listened to the radio and lived with people sho had a passion for music: id youwant to bea performer from young age? T always loved entertain ss very shy, s0 1 didn’t really fully get into music Dr rons‘I'm in talks to perform at the royal wedding = that’s true!’‘Whenever Im home, my life belongs to my family. If I'm not working, then I spend every PCOS CMLL is sacred time. No matter where | am, | try to DO ACCOR UR CRT CeBuea good spirit when it Peer in lifey says Jon, Your wife, Maritere, is so who is Emilio Estefan's righthand man and he president of his eompany. We have some a beautiful smile Friends first. We worked togeth Tell us 7 "sa all of fire and real My d coatEee esr ea CA ffiee showcases framed Suir comune COS CCC a] sense of the word. She's supported DO Oe OL their activi todance, cousins > the beach, Tehink that's a exeditt been able to do as parent Do you think they will follow in your footsteps? Theyhaven'tshown sion for entertainment. to them, IfT'm not wor Inter likes to dance, but T spend every moment that I b the point of wanting to with them, As its, I tavel a lot for a living oF to have that ‘That's been my career hats OK be king, tavelling, being on the iative. Whatever they toad. For me, home time jis want to do is fine with me sacred time. No matter where I fm, ty to not be away for mos What's your favourite thing to do than two weeks. Even if can only asa family? The simple things. go home for one day, at least I Just spending time together is can sec them, really more about 4 they want to do, going to the How has father chang monies or todinner,simple things you? Everything that deals with as long as we're together. They my my career ¥e Tove spending time with their volves around what happens to racyie iS Cee ee ‘The hands-on dad admits that he doesn't do much Ce ry we Priore Deere) Pree cs era) ieee) oe aus rack ‘movies of to dinner Ee i) Rovere cca)nen the weather is nice, being outside is wonderful,’ says Jon of spending time in his beautiful backyard. ‘We hang out by f the perks of living in Florida.’ Both Jon and Maritere’s families live close by, so the family of four can enjoy visits from fnenever they wish, Above: Jon credits his incredible physique to daily workouts that include weight training, running and ab work. ‘At this joint, my Workout has become a part of what Ido,’ he says.‘ like that it's become a part of my schedule. my children, or being home. My schedule is really two-sided. Its simple — if T'm not ‘working, then I'm thinking of what I can do for my family life, what Ican do to be more involved in whatever the kids are doing Is it true that you might be at Prince William's wedding in April? We're in talks to perform at the royal wedding, that's true. It came about through a connection th an. ofganization called No Problem Orchestra, They'te kids who are develop: mentally challenged who are extremely talented. They're fans of my music and ~ through my production partner ~ we estab lished a relationship with them. We're very very elose to perhaps making that happen. That would obviously be a very exciting thing and an honour