“Súbete a mi moto” is a 15-episode series that tells the story of Menudo, the Latin boy band whose early 1980s run helped define teen pop across Mexico and beyond. The show premiered on Prime Video in Mexico, Latin America, and Spain on October 9, 2020, and later reached the United States on Estrella TV on February 14, 2021. It was created by Mary Black Suarez.
The show is a biographical drama, not a documentary, which means it takes creative liberties with the facts. It is built on the perspective of the creator and manager of the band, and it treats the story of Menudo as a saga of ambition, betrayal, and the harsh realities of the music industry. The series follows the band from its creation to its international success, with a particular focus on the figures who shaped it from behind the scenes. The show is available on Prime Video in Mexico, Latin America, and Spain, and on Estrella TV in the United States.
Origins and the Early Rise
The first episodes establish the band’s origins. It shows the young boys who were cast as the group’s members, and the adults who shaped their image and their careers. The show follows the band as it rises through the ranks of Mexican pop, and then begins its push toward international success. It covers the early years, when the band was still finding its footing and building its audience, before the wider success that followed.
The series does not shy away from the darker side of the industry. It touches on the pressure put on the young performers, the instability of their personal lives, and the compromises made by those who ran the band. These elements are woven into the narrative from the very beginning, giving the show a sense of urgency that carries through its full length.
Ricky Martin’s Two Actors
The show uses two actors to play Ricky Martin. It is a bold choice, and it works. The two performances give the character a range that a single actor might have struggled to achieve.
Here is a list of some of the key figures as played by the actors:
- Ricky Martin: Felipe Albors and Ethan Schwartz
- Ricky Meléndez: Marcelo Otaño and Eugenio Rivera
- Xavier Serbiá: Samu Jove
- Sergio Blass: Gustavo Rosa
- René Farrait: Alejandro Bermúdez
- Johnny Lozada: Lionel Otero
- Miguel Cancel: Mauro Hernández
- Edgardo Díaz: Yamil Ureña and Braulio Castillo, Jr.
- Joselo Vega: Sian Chiong
- Doña Panchi: Marisol Calero
- Julieta Torres: Josette Vidal
- Renata Torres: Rocío Verdejo
- Rubén Gomez: Adrián Isaac Rivera
- Charlie Masso: Diego Rodulfo Martínez
- Robby Rosa: Pedro Emiliano Vazquez
- Ashley Ruiz: Sergio Mancilla López
- Millie Aviles: Amanda Rivera Torres
The Central Figures
The cast is large and ambitious. It includes Sian Chiong as Joselo Vega, Rocío Verdejo as Renata Torres, Felipe Albors and Ethan Schwartz as Ricky Martin, Alejandro Bermúdez as René Farrait, and Marisol Calero as Doña Panchi, among others. The series is also notable for its casting of Ricky Martin, played by two actors, and for its attention to the men behind the scenes who managed the band.
The Ricky Martin Story
The show handles the Ricky Martin story with care. It shows the decline of the band after Martin leaves, and the struggle to replace him. The show also covers the aftermath of that split, including the band’s attempt to carry on without its former frontman. The Ricky Martin storyline runs through the middle of the series, serving as its emotional and narrative spine.
The Ricky Martin Split
The show handles the Ricky Martin story with care. It shows the decline of the band after Martin leaves, and the struggle to replace him. The show also covers the aftermath of that split, including the band’s attempt to carry on without its former frontman. The Ricky Martin storyline runs through the middle of the series, serving as its emotional and narrative spine.
The Show’s Weaknesses
The series is not without its weaknesses. Some of the plot points feel familiar, and the show occasionally leans on formulaic storytelling. The pacing can also be uneven, with some episodes feeling rushed while others drag. Despite these flaws, the show maintains a strong sense of purpose throughout its run.
Verdict
“Súbete a mi moto” is a strong, often moving portrait of a band whose story has been told many times, but rarely with this level of detail. It is a show that respects its subject while also being honest about the cost of its success. It is not a perfect show, but it is a compelling watch.
The series is worth watching for anyone interested in the history of Latin pop, or in the stories of the people who built it. It is a show that rewards attention.
The Story behind the iconic boy band Menudo according to the creator and manager of the band
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