Antonio Orozco, the renowned Spanish singer, is currently experiencing a renaissance in his career, celebrating 25 years in the music industry with the release of his tenth album, «El tiempo no es oro» (Time is not Gold). After a year and a half of stepping away from the spotlight, Orozco is now revealing his journey of healing and self-discovery, a process documented in his new Prime Video documentary, «El método Orozco» (The Orozco Method).

A Moment of Vulnerability and Honesty

In an exclusive interview with El País, Orozco shares details about his recent struggles with anxiety and weight gain, revealing that he reached 127 kilos as a result of unresolved emotional losses (Jiménez, 2024). He is emphasizing the importance of addressing mental health issues and seeking professional help. «All the losses I never spoke to anyone about turned into 127 kilos and anxiety problems,» Orozco confesses, shedding light on the hidden battles many artists face behind the scenes.

The Healing Power of Time

Orozco stresses the significance of time in his healing process, which inspired the title of his new album. «The saying is that time is gold, but I think some commercial surface said that. Time is not gold. In fact, gold would like to be time. Time is the beginning, the development, and the end of this whole project; it opens all the unknowns and closes them too,» he is explaining. This period of reflection has allowed him to reconnect with himself and his priorities.

«El método Orozco»: A Raw and Honest Documentary

The documentary, «El método Orozco,» is offering viewers an intimate look into the singer’s personal life and creative process. Orozco describes it as «an exercise in honesty,» aiming to connect with his audience on a deeper level. «It got out of hand. I intended to take people to the album through a series of thoughts and experiences. It could have been decorated, but it’s true. At the premiere, I felt like a thousand people were looking at me through a hole, and I was naked,» he is affirming. The documentary is also a gift to his eldest son, Jan, whom he hopes to inspire by showing his journey of self-improvement.

Battling Anxiety and Finding Equilibrium

Orozco is openly discussing his battle with anxiety and depression, conditions he only recognized after consulting with medical professionals. He is hoping to break the stigma surrounding mental health issues in Spain. «In this country, you either go with fashion or go to the psychologist, because you can’t be balanced if you weigh more than you should; there’s no way to dress. You end up always buying the same damn shirt. That’s bullshit. Do you know that there are a lot of people who don’t choose to be well or unwell? Do you know that there are a lot of people who live with obesity as a disease? I needed help,» he is stating.

Celebrating 25 Years of Music

Despite the challenges, Orozco is celebrating a significant milestone in his career: 25 years in the music industry. To mark this occasion, he is releasing «El tiempo no es oro» and embarking on a 28-concert tour, beginning in Mérida and concluding in Madrid. Reflecting on his journey, Orozco acknowledges the sacrifices he has made for his music. «I have been a musician since I was born, but I didn’t know it, and it wasn’t clear to me until I took the definitive step. It’s the kind of decision in life that costs you many things; it even cost me a relationship,» he is recalling.

Family and Personal Life

Orozco is sharing insights into his relationships with his children. He is dedicating the song «Te juro que no hay un segundo que no piense en ti» (I swear there’s not a second I don’t think of you) to his young daughter, Antonella, born in 2021. He is also speaking about his son, Jan, who is pursuing his own musical career in England. «He is making his way; he is a musician and producer. He tears my heart out; I am a superfan of his. He went to England, and I am still waiting for him to return. My son has grown up, and his life is in another city. He comes back to see me, but my house is no longer his because his house is somewhere else,» Orozco is revealing. Jan has even dropped the Orozco surname to establish his own identity in the music world.

Overcoming Loss and Finding Forgiveness

Orozco is reflecting on the difficult period following the death of his former partner and Jan’s mother, Susana Prat, in 2017, as well as the loss of his producer and friend. These experiences led to his emotional and physical struggles. «I had the bad luck that the losses hit me very hard and very often. I lost my producer, with whom I had been for 25 years and was my best friend; I lost the mother of my son, who was the most important person in my life. And I lost my friend Dani, assistant, and companion, in a motorcycle accident. All that in three months. The whole world turned gray. And all those things I never spoke to anyone about, in a matter of eight or nine years, turned into 127 kilos and a lot of anxiety problems,» he is expressing. He is now advocating for others to seek help and address their problems openly.

Despite the pain he has endured, Orozco is emphasizing the importance of forgiveness and moving forward. «There have been three or four characters who have hurt me a lot and who were very good friends of mine. Today I can tell you that I have forgiven them. If you don’t forgive, you will never be able to get it out of your mind. In my life, they represent the same as a grain of sand in the desert, nothing,» he is concluding. Antonio Orozco is now embracing a new chapter in his life, filled with music, healing, and a renewed sense of purpose.

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