Who were the original band members of Menudo and where are they now?

MENUDO was formed in Miami, Florida in the 1970s by producer Edgardo Díaz.

They’re known today as one of the greatest Latin boy bands in history, but they have a controversial past.

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Who were the original band members of Menudo?

Menudo released her first album in 1977 and enjoyed great success in the 1980s.

Since entering the music industry, the band has seen several members come and go, but it was the original members who helped make the band what it is known for today.

The original members consisted of two brothers: Fernando and Nefty Sallaberry, and Carlos, Oscar and Ricky Meléndez.

The Meléndez siblings are Diaz’s cousins.

Where are the original members today?

Fernando Salaberry

Fernando is now 56 years old but since leaving the band he has stayed out of the limelight and it remains unclear what he has been up to since then.

Fine Sallaberry

Nefty is now 58 years old and has also stayed out of the limelight since leaving the band.

What he has done since then is currently unclear.

Ricky Melendez

Ricky was the baby of the group but quickly won the hearts of fans around the world.

After successful performances in Menudo and El Reencuentro, Ricky, now 54, became a lawyer.

Carlos Melendez

Carlos, who is now 57, began a career as an architect.

Oscar Melendez

Óscar, who is now 56, has stayed out of the limelight since leaving the band.

What he has done since then is currently unclear.

Where is Edgardo Diaz now?

Edgardo Díaz, 75, is best known as the creator of Menudo.

Over the years, former members of Menudo have come out and claimed that they were allegedly sexually abused while under Diaz’s management.

HBO Max’s documentary series Menudo: Forever Young takes a look at these allegations and includes interviews with former members.

Among those who have made allegations is Angelo Garcia, who joined the band after turning 11.

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“All I remember was passing out. When I woke up I was naked and bleeding, so I knew I had been penetrated,” Garcia said in the New York Post documentary.

“I had these carpet burn marks on my face… I was very confused and didn’t understand.”

“…I was raped a number of times during my time at Menudo, and that’s how predators took advantage of me,” Garcia continued.

The band consisted of 32 different boys during their initial 20-year existence.

“We were pawns of his business,” added Ray Acevedo, who was with the band from 1985-88.

Many former members also said they suffered bullying, drug scandals and poor working conditions.

Díaz has not responded to the docuseries, but has always denied any abuse and wrongdoing in his leadership of the group, according to the New York Post.

Menudo: Forever Young is available to stream now on HBO Max.