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Born in Ciudad Mante, Tamaulipas, México, Verástegui was studying law but decided to pursue modeling in Mexico City and ended up working for such famous designers as Calvin Klein and Versace. Soon after, in 1994, he bacame a member of the Mexican pop group, Kairo. Throughout a four-year tour, Kairo played sold out concerts throughout Latin America, establishing them as one of the most successful music groups in the Spanish-speaking market.In 1997, Verástegui began acting in Mexican soap operas produced by powerhouse production company, Televisa. His novelas were seen in over 50 countries, and by over 10 million viewers in the United States. In addition, his soap operas achieved record-breaking ratings in major markets in the United States.In 2001, Verástegui signed a recording contract as a solo artist with Universal Music Latino and recorded his first self-titled album. Two years later, in 2003, Eduardo Verástegui was chosen as the lead character in the Latin comedy, Chasing Papi alongside Jaci Velasquez, Sofia Vergara, and Roselyn Sanchez. Though the movie grossed over $12 million worldwide, Verástegui vowed to only work on "meaningful films that have the potential to touch peoples hearts and minds" in the future.Verástegui is one of today's fastest rising Latino stars and has been voted by People en Español as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the world. The Mexican actor has also made appearances in the popular TV series, Charmed as Mr. Right, and in Jennifer Lopez's "Ain't It Funny" video and her new perfume commercials.
Business careerVerástegui co-owns Metanoia Films, in conjunction with Eustace Wolfington, financier and producer Sean Wolfington, Director Alejandro Gomez Monteverde and former Fox Business Affairs executive Leo Severino. Metanoia Films owns half of the film Bella.Verástegui completed his latest film, called "Bella", in 2006.Bella is written and directed by Alejandro Gomez Monteverde and also stars and Emmy award winning Tammy Blanchard (who acted in The Good Shepherd). Bella took top prize at the 2006 Toronto International Film Festival by winning the “People's Choice Award”, an award that is frequently won by films that go on to win Oscar awards. Other films that have won the People's Choice Award include such Oscar-winning films as Chariots of Fire; American Beauty; Life Is Beautiful; Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon; and Hotel Rwanda. Last year's winner of the “People’s Choice" Award, Tsotsi, won an Oscar for best foreign-language film.Bella's filmmakers received honors from the Smithsonian and the Whitehouse. The Smithsonian Latino Center honored Eduardo Verástegui and Bella's filmmakers with their "Legacy Award" at a private screening in Miami hosted by Florida Governor Jeb Bush and his wife Columba Bush, a native Mexican. "This movie depicts the culture but also transcends it," said Pilar O'Leary, exec director of the Smithsonian Institute's Latino Center. "It has universal appeal." Which is why the Latino Center is presenting Verastegui and helmer Alejandro Monteverde with its award this year.The director of the Department of Citizenship gave the director of Bella, Alejandro Monteverde, the "American by Choice" award for Bella's posotive contribution to Latino art and culture in the U.S. The president and first lady saw the film and invited Bella's director to sit with Laura Bush in her private box during the annual "State of the Union" speech in 2007.The Mexican Embassy honored Bella and it's filmmakers during a special screening at their annual Cinco De Mayo celebration."Because of the increasing buzz, the Mexican Embassy wanted to sponsor a private screening as part of its Cinco de Mayo bash." -William Triplett, Variety.com.