Guitarricadelafuente is queering Spain’s canon — in music and film

Guitarricadelafuente is feeling nervous. The 28-year-old Spanish artist is backstage at The Roxy in Los Angeles, his first time being back in the city since he recorded much of his breakthrough album Spanish Leather. Among the 500 or so people making up the crowd tonight are a handful of his collaborators. But by the time he hits the stage, his playful charm and euphoric tracks soon has everyone in The Roxy singing along. Then, in a moment of surprise release, Guitarricadelafuente dives off the stage and into the cathartic embrace of his fans.

The dreamy troubadour’s music evokes similar feelings of arms-wide liberation, a blend of Spanish folk music and forward-looking pop. 2025’s Spanish Leather is an intimate pop odyssey where he strips down both literally and metaphorically his queer desires. After featuring on Troye Sivan’s Something To Give Each Other, he decided to fully embrace his heartthrob status while being unapologetically gay. Sivan, he says, helped him feel “comfortable with himself and his body.” Today, he relishes in seeing even straight men full-throatedly sing to his sexually free anthem “Full time papi.”

Guitarricadelafuente was born Álvaro Lafuente Calvo in the Valencian community of Benicàssim. After picking up the guitar at age 15, he explored the sounds of his coastal hometown and the rural Las Cuevas de Cañart on his debut album, 2022's La Cantera. Off the heels of Spanish Leather, he’s gearing up to bring queer art to the big screen as the star of La Bola Negra. The forthcoming film by Spanish directors Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi will explore queer awakening throughout the ages and feature Penélope Cruz, Glenn Close, and Miguel Bernardeau.

Amid Guitarricadelafuente’s first world tour, he caught up with The FADER to talk about his rising star, embracing his sexuality, and his upcoming film debut.

The FADER: How would you describe the evolution of Guitarricadelafuente in the three years between La Cantera and Spanish Leather?

Guitarricadelafuente: La Cantera was a way to pay homage to myself. It was a way for me to show who I am as an artist and the kind of music I listened to. It was also an homage to my hometown and what I grew up listening to. Spanish Leather is an era in which the kid from that town is going through a transitional journey. He leaves that town to see what's out there. Spanish Leather was also a way for me to break boundaries on a visual and lyrical level. I felt like talking more about my personal life and finding community. I wanted to feel connected to people that feel the way I do.

What does being a "Full time papi" mean to you?

You can feel like a “Full Time Papi” in any way that you want to. It's a concept I came up with as a way to empower yourself. It's about embracing yourself and feeling comfortable about yourself and your body. Embrace your sensuality and that connection with your body and other bodies. Each person can interpret that in their own way. Give into your desires and free yourself. That's what I've felt in these last few years while making Spanish Leather.

The music video for "Full time papi" is a full-on queer fantasy. What was the experience like to live out that fantasy in the video?

It was very hot at times. [Laughs.] There's a lot of tension in the video that's not explicit. It's subtle, but at the same it's provocative. While filming, we were all acting in situations that were very erotic. There was a lot of sensuality and young people sweating, moving, and messing around. The video is also about capturing a slice of youth.

What does it mean to be a voice for the LGBTQ+ community in the Latin music scene?

Growing up, I didn't see many queer references in the media. What little I hope to do is to be able to wake up something in many people that's very powerful. When many people admire someone, it's because they can see themselves reflected in that person. For them, that person becomes like a path forward or an example that things are possible. Whatever window I can open for someone, I want to open as many of those windows that I can for a lot of people.

After collaborating with Troye Sivan on "In My Room," what was the experience like to reunite with him on your song "Midsummer Pipe Dream"?

It was like a full-circle moment. "In My Room" and "Midsummer Pipe Dream" have similar stories. They're about someone dreaming in private about wanting something that seems impossible. "Midsummer Pipe Dream" is about that desire between two people that brings fantasy into reality. I was excited that this was the only collaboration on my album and that it was with Troye. He's the best.

How do you feel about making your acting debut soon in La Bola Negra?

I was filming the movie in October and it was an incredible experience. It was directed by Los Javis. I was a big fan of the movie’s story. When they came to me with the idea, I was like, "Fuck! This story is very similar to Spanish Leather." Everything was happening simultaneously. I took on this role right after putting out my album. To work with Miguel Bernardeau and Penélope Cruz was a dream come true. It's an opening a door for me to this other world and it's a privilege and an honor. I would love to do this again. I’m very interested in being able to play different characters and bringing other stories to life.

What was it like working with Penélope Cruz?

She was like a mother to me. She's someone that I watched on the big screen since I was a kid. Suddenly, to work with her, this person that's very caring and generous, it was a dream come true. There's a story between our characters that's very beautiful. She's mother to me in real life, but also in the movie, she plays my mother. [Laughs.] I get excited remembering the scene between us that you'll see soon.

How do you feel about bringing LGBTQ+ representation into Spanish film?

The story is inspired by an unfinished work by Federico García Lorca. It’s putting importance on a queer person like never seen before in Spain. It was a story that was hidden away for a bit. It’s very important that this story is being told. I think this movie will be very inspirational for many people.

What can we expect from you next?

Going on tour in so many countries, being fortunate to experience so many things, and experiencing everything at a different speed than before, I’ve been inspired to write about new things. I hope to put out more music soon. I want my songs to mean something to people and to last. For me, it’s more about capturing emotions and connecting to people with my music.