He's a beloved soap opera heartthrob but now he's a church pastor

Flavio Raymundo Martinez Gonzalez, known only as Flavio Cesar, is a beloved soap opera heartthrob and singer who forsook fame to become a church pastor. The protagonist of novels such as Agujetas de color de rosa and Confidente de Secondary left the world of acting in 1998 and switched to pop music for religious songs.

The translator, who became known in the 90s, was born in the city of Monterrey in the state of Nuevo Leon, Mexico. He started his career by standing alone at children's festivals and thanks to his popularity in the music world, he came to soap operas at the invitation of a famous televisa producer.

Flavio Caesar is now recognized as a Christian, but he continues to be remembered by some fans of the Latin context, who have seen him on dozens of magazine covers, such as the one in 1996 when he was depicted with Shakira for the publication of Eres.

Flavio César: From soap opera heartthrob to priest

In 2022, the actor reappeared on social networks to talk with Tony Hanna, a real estate expert, and when he spoke, “he was not happy with his life, in which there was fame and professional success, but deep. Loneliness”, so he finally decided to leave his profession.

The former soap opera star and singer said: “I had a very successful career, but a lot of loneliness, no family, I was constantly looking for the nourishment of applause that always tried to fill the void in my heart. I lived with the desire to compete with other artists,” he said.

“Talking to you with an open mind, appearing on television, becoming an artist is not something I want, it is my father's wish. He wanted to be an artist on Mexican television, he could never be, he was never given the opportunities. When he realized I sang, he started promoting my career and in 1984 I started at a festival called Jukumos a Canter,” he explained.

In the same interview, he recalled being inspired by a personal assistant who decided to look for answers in the Bible. “In Victor's testimony I found the hope of life. Because I lived always empty, angry, always demanding, always competitive, I thought I had everything and it was a lie. But when I saw his way of life, his peace and quiet, I said: 'Because he can't escape I You have to read that book,' he said.

In a 2017 interview with YouTube channel Aqua VivaTV, the actor pointed out that his assistant's attitudes touched his heart and “planted the seed of Christ.” He added: “At that moment I really needed peace because I had everything the world was looking for, I had $1,500 shirts, $3,000 leather pants (…), but was empty.”

The retired actor noted that in terms of fame and fortune, he is doing well, he felt sad. At that moment he thought: “It is impossible for me to have everything and be empty and sad, this disembodied, unacceptable character that I have, my personal assistant. And the popularity I have ..how is it possible for me to be more relaxed.

Currently, Flavio Martinez is the pastor of Oak Hills Christian Church located in San Antonio, Texas. Since 2017 he has preached at that place and in addition to sermons, he sings, but now, religious music. He has released three albums. As for his personal life, he is married to a woman who shares his faith and has three children.