“King Juan Carlos finds it funny when I imitate him, he says I’m very funny”

Martian Chronicles made known to Carlos Latre 25 years ago now. He came to the program with a lot of nerve, because Xavier Sardà She refused to attend to him at an event he attended and he began doing imitations in front of the presenter. “He asked me for my phone number and within a month I was on the program”. Latre triumphed in Chronicles and has managed to stay on stage (and on television) for a quarter of a century with his ability to get into the skin of others. “King Juan Carlos finds it funny when I imitate him, he says I’m very funny,” he explains to Informalia. “And King Felipe and Queen Letizia told me that the imitation they like the most is that of Ferrán Adrià”.

He showman will review his entire career in a special, Carlos Latre. Inimitablewhat Movistar Plus+ will be offered on Tuesday, July 23. He will remember his successes, but also his failures. “I have failed 40 times,” he admits. This program, moreover, will be a turning point between his first 25 years in the world of entertainment -the last in Your face is familiar to me y The Anthill from Antena 3 – and the stage that he will open in September as the new presenter of Telecinco’s access with Babylon Show. “Pablo Motos has been understanding, he knows that these trains pass by and you have to take them.”

How did you end up on Crónicas marcianas? Is it true that you had a go at Sardà?

Yes. I went to a press conference and asked him for an interview and he said no. I stood in front of him and imitated him and he said: ‘You’re crazy, but I’ll give you the interview.’ Then he asked me for my phone number and, after a month, I was on the phone. Martian Chronicles.

This shows that you have to take the plunge…

I am a daring, reckless, crazy person. Fear paralyzes and you have to take the plunge because you always get something out of it.

Did Sardà give you freedom when creating the characters?

Javier was a guy who surrounded himself with a lot of talent and he saw it in me and let me flow. All he did was water us. He was very generous, he gave us some guidelines and we learned from the best. It was a great team and I was the intern.

And then you created ‘Bea, the intern’. Was that the character that catapulted you into the role?

The turning point was Jorge Berrocal and his ‘Who puts his leg on me?’ with the explosion of GHThen came Tamara, Papuchi and Bea, who is my great character. It was born by chance, when they asked me to play a presenter for Telediario. Sardà was cracking up with her.

Have you ever had any problems with any famous people you’ve imitated?

The most difficult thing was when I had to play Franco in front of Carmen Martínez Bordiú in Where are you Love? The tension was palpable. Carmen understood that I had done it because I had been asked to, but she told me that it had not been pleasant. I sweated a lot.

Who has been the most grateful celebrity to you?

Many. Julio Iglesias loves it, as does Jaime Peñafiel and the King Emeritus, who finds it very funny when I imitate him. I have been lucky enough to be liked.

What did the King Emeritus tell you?

She finds it very funny, she says it’s very funny. And King Felipe and Queen Letizia told me that the imitation they like best is that of Ferrán Adrià, because they had him very much in mind because he made their wedding reception.

In the special ‘Inimitable’ (Movistar Plus+) you talk about your successes, but also your failures. What do you learn the most from?

As Capote said, failure is the salt and pepper of success. You don’t fail, you learn. Not much happens with success or failure. It’s true that in Spain failure is penalized, but in the US I was signed by CBS because I had failed and had reinvented myself. You have to talk about it naturally. I’ve failed 40 times.

One of the most special moments of ‘Inimitable’ is the performance you do with your daughter, who is very talented. Does she want to go into show business?

He is wonderful. He is very talented. I tell him to find his own path and his own personality, to be Candela and not Latre. He has many skills and a great attitude. He wants to dedicate himself to this and he wants to do musical theatre.

After 25 years, you’re starting a new stage at Telecinco in September. Does that make you dizzy?

It is not this one Inimitable from Movistar Plus+ It is the confluence of 25 years and the new stage in which I am going to put into practice everything I have learned in that time. I am excited and nervous.

How did Pablo Motos and the ‘Tu cara me suena’ team take your move to Mediaset?

Pablo was understanding. He knows that these trains pass by and you have to take them. He told me: ‘I feel bad because we love you very much, but go ahead. I’m here for you if you need anything and we all fit here.’

But you’re going to be his rival…

I don’t see it that way, people insist on there being competition, but there’s room for everyone. That is, until it ends. Your face is familiar to me This Friday I am 100% Atresmedia.

Did they take it well in Your Face Sounds Familiar?

Yes, that’s my home. I was born in Gestmusic with Sardà, Cruz and Mainat… and now with Tinet Rubira. And it’s my home. I’m convinced that we’ll do many things again.

Is there room for Broncano in the access too?

Man, of course. And for Wyoming, who is a man who draws a million viewers every day. And for First Dates. This is just television.