Ricky Garcia (США)

Teen heartthrob Ricky Garcia is riding the X Factor wave of success. The Texas triple-threat, who was born in Puerto Rico where his dad was stationed in the Navy, was first discovered at the Dallas EXPO talent competition in 2011. His charisma made him a favorite of not only the agents and managers looking for a star, but the contestants as well. He was swept up by Hot Rock Media’s Joby Harte, who invited him Hollywood.

Ricky always loved performing. When he was a child in San Antonio, his mother would take him downtown to the music festivals at Market Square and he’d bring a toy guitar and sing along. Garcia got into theatre at Magik Theatre. He also modeled, and would sing at the fashion shows he was in. Then he found YouTube.

Justin Bieber was one of his big idols back then. He also sang to Bruno Mars and Michael Jackson.

Joby brought Ricky to top kids’ agent Melissa Berger at CESD, and Ricky dove into the business with a vengeance. Rachel Riggs, from the renowned Seth Riggs Studio, one of the vocal coaches for such superstars as Rhianna, Michael Jackson and Victoria Justice, took him under her wing, as did Lori Lively, Disney on-set acting coach and sister of Blake Lively.

He was down to the wire for the lead in three pilots this season, testing for Disney Channel’s Girl Meets World, There Goes The Planet and ABC-TV’s The Goldbergs.

He also guest-starred on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and had a role in the soon-to-be-released feature film Mantervention. He filmed his first music video, Feeling It., on the beach in Santa Monica and in Beverly Hills this summer.

Next was X Factor, where he was partnered with Jon Klaasen and Emery Kelly by iconic Simon Cowell, who was looking to duplicate his monumental success with One Direction, to form the boy band he named Forever in Your Mind. Ricky’s popularity exploded.

His faves today include John Legend, Usher and Justin Timberlake whose career he’d love to emulate.

When he’s not in front of the camera or recording, Ricky can be found surfing the waves on the California beaches, which is his latest passion. He also enjoys soccer, baseball and football.

Ricky is currently homeschooled and lives in the heart of burgeoning downtown L.A., close to Staples Center, where he hopes to headline one day.

What’s most important to Ricky are his family and friends, a list that is growing every day with the amazing fans he’s been meeting. The young star has made a promise to all of them, and himself. He promises to never forget where he came from.

(from official site)