Alfonso La Cruz (born 11 November 1995), known professionally as La Cruz, is a Venezuelan singer and songwriter based in Madrid, Spain.
Early life
Alfonso La Cruz was born in the capital city of Caracas on 11 November 1995. His family later moved to La Guaira, a coastal state in Venezuela.
At a young age, he would sing in his school's choir and would participate in festivals. At age 15, he was the opening act for R.K.M. & Ken-Y and Reykon for their tour stops in Venezuela.
In 2015, he moved to Madrid, Spain.
Career In 2018, La Cruz participated to season 10 of Spanish reality-TV singing competition, Operación Triunfo. Despite being the first to get eliminated, this TV exposure helped him continue in his music career, and gained notoriety for creating reggaeton music geared towards the LGBTQ+ community.
After his elimination, La Cruz released his debut single on July 26, 2019, Universal Music Spain. The single, Nadie Te Va Querer, accompanied by a music video, was slated to be released in June but ultimately delayed for various reasons. The single was later chosen to represent Spain at the North Vision Song Contest held in Norway.
On January 21, 2022, La Cruz released the single Fotos, along with its music video. On his birthday, November 11, La Cruz released his debut album, Hawaira. Within this album, Te Conocí Bailando became a viral hit within the LGBTQ+ community, many dubbing his music as "regayton" — a play on the words "reggaeton" and "gay". In an interview with UpRoxx, La Cruz states that deciding to write songs about men was freeing after a producer encouraged to write about his “long-distance” situation with another man. After the success of Te Conocí Bailando, La Cruz released a new single called, Quítate La Ropa, on 22 June 2023. In October 2023, La Cruz grazed the cover of Stylecruzes issue 43, a weekly fashion magazine. In December 2023, La Cruz was invited to Mediaset España’s Telecinco’s Christmas party known as Nochebuena Contigo, where he performed his hit, Te Conocí Bailando. On November 9, 2023, La Cruz released a promo-single titled Easy Boy, his first single under Sony Music España.
In March of 2024, La Cruz lands the cover GAYLETTER, an LGBTQ+ fashion magazine. On 18 July 2024, La Cruz releases his single Sahara, which was said to be featured on an upcoming album. The accompanied music video was released simultaneously via YouTube. The second single, Fancy, was released on 26 September 2024 along with its music video. In October 2024, La Cruz released his 2nd album titled, El Nene Vol.1.
In June 2025, during Pride Month, La Cruz graced the cover of Mexican queer fashion magazine ZERO. On August 19, 2025, Premios Juventud announced its nominees for its 22nd edition. La Cruz is nominated for La Nueva Generación Masculina (The New Male Generation). On September 8, 2025, La Cruz uploaded on his Instagram a six second Reel teasing his upcoming single and music video — titled Arequipe, which is set to be released on September 26. On an interview with Univision, La Cruz said “What I’m trying to achieve is to make an album full of varieties. I don’t want to sound like one genre”, regarding his upcoming album. On September 19, Premios Juventud announced La Cruz as a presenter for its award ceremony. On September 23, Maluka, a club bar, announced on their official Instagram that La Cruz would be giving a special free performance the following night on September 24. This would make La Cruz’s first performance in Panamá.
On the Todo Vale podcast, La Cruz announced his upcoming EP, El Nene Vol. 2, a continuation to El Nene Vol. 1, will be released sometime in June 2026.
Artistry La Cruz grew up listening to rock and pop-rock. Through his siblings, he got introduced to reggaeton artists like Daddy Yankee, Don Omar, Ivy Queen and Tego Calderon.
He also mentions listening to Latin artist Luis Fonsi and credits Beyoncé as his “Queen of Pop”.
Discography Studio albums Hawaira (2022)
Extended plays El Nene Vol. 1 (2024) El Nene Vol. 2 (2026)
Singles As lead artist "Nadie Te Va a Querer" (2019) "Qué Sé Yo" (2019) "Efecto" (2021) "Fotos" (2022) "La Ducati" (2022) "Desnudx" (2022) "Te Conocí Bailando" (2023) "Quítate La Ropa" (2023) "Easy Boy" (2023) "SAHARA" (2024) "FANCY" (2024) "Arequipe" (2025) "Fuerte" (2026) "Gata Negra" (2026) "Only" (2026)
As featured artist "Notificación" (Nay Arias featuring La Cruz) (2021) "Rough" (Luísa Sonza featuring La Cruz) (2024)
Videography Music videos +TitleYearDirector(s)LocationRef.“Qué Se Yo”2019Antonio WimmerN/A“Efecto”2021Alex Terrero/Edu Sáenz“Fotos”2022ALETOR“LADUCATI”“DESNUDX”“BOULEVARD”2023“TE CONOCÍ BAILANDO”“QUÍTATE LA ROPA”Victor Marin“EASY BOY”Falcon FilmsAtlantico Estudios“SAHARA”2024Victor MarinN/A“FANCY”“PRIVADO ft. VILLANO ANTILLANO”Daniel Eguren“AREQUIPE”2025Victor Marin“Gata Negra”2026
Tours and performances Headlining tours Promo Tour (2023) + Date (2023) City Country Venue September 16 Dallas United States Texas Latino Pride September 19 Los Angeles Soho House September 26 Caracas Venezuela C.C Lider Mall September 30 San José Costa Rica Member's
El Nene Tour (2024–2025)
+2024 Date City Country Venue December 19 Madrid Spain Sala Mon2025DateCityCountryVenueFebruary 19New York CityUnited StatesElsewhereFebruary 21Los AngelesBeso LAMarch 7ChicagoMansion Nightclub
El Nene Showcase (Mini Tour)(2026)
+DateCityCountryVenueMarch 15AustinUnited StatesSXSW (Mala Vida)March 20São PauloBrazilCoffee PartyMarch 28MedellinColombiaClub Ora Culo
El Nene En El Club Tour (2026)
+DateCityCountryVenueSeptember 12DallasUnited StatesReverchon Park @ Texas Latino Pride FestivalSeptember 19HoustonWhite Oak Music Hall @ La Cultura CuraSeptember 24MonterreyMexicoJapi San PedroSeptember 25Mexico CityKILENSSeptember 26MoreliaMamá No Lo Sabe
Festivals +2026DateCityCountryVenueFestivalMarch 15AustinUnited StatesMala VidaWarner Music House @ SXSWJune 3New York CityThe Brooklyn MonarchSo.Gay Party House (Pride)June 27Mexico CityMexicoAngel de La IndependenciaXLV111 Marcha del OrgulloJuly 4MadridSpain Puerta del SolMadrid PrideAugust 16OaklandUnited StatesFrank H. Ogawa PlazaOakland PrideSeptember 12DallasReverchon ParkTexas Latino Pride Festival
TV performances +2023DateProgramCityCountryPerformed song(s)Ref.December 24Nochebuena ContigoMadridSpain“Te Conocí Bailando”2024DateProgramCityCountryPerformed song(s)Ref.December 31Sabor a UvaMadridSpain“Easy Boy”
Achievements and awards +AwardYearRecipient (s) and nominee (s)CategoryResultRef.Premios Juventud2025HimselfLa Nueva Generación MasculinaLo Nuestro Awards2026HimselfMale New Artist of the Year
Personal life La Cruz is openly gay. In 2017, he married his then boyfriend, at only 22 years old. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they divorced. He is currently single.
Talking about his experiences being gay in the music industry, La Cruz has said he had many meetings with label executives in Latin America, but in order to obtain a record deal, he had to “sing in neutral pronouns”. He also stated to 20 Minutos, a Spanish online news outlet, that in Venezuela — his native country, he has been denied security when performing in public.
Filmography +TelevisionYearTitle RoleNotesRef.2018Operación Triunfo S10HimselfLa Cruz was the first evicted in the 2nd “Gala”, or live performance.
References