Roy Rosselló - Menudo & Menendez

TW: mentions of sexual assault

Roy Rosselló was a former member of the Puerto Rican boy band Menudo that was formed by Edgardo Díaz. The lineup of boys would change because the boys had to leave because they would age out, the age range for the members were between 15-18, one of the former members of the band was Ricky Martin. 

Roy Rosselló at 14 years old

In the 90s, there were sexual abuse allegations made against Díaz. In May of 1991, a talk show called Cristina Show hosted by Cristina Saralegui, a former member of Menudo, Ralphy Rodríguez and his father made accusations against Díaz, which he denied. In 2014, Roy Rosselló spoke out for the first time about the abuse from Díaz.

Ralphly Rodriguez on the Cristina Show

Ralphy Rodriguez states: time stamp (1:46-2:27) “It is very strange seeing these parents and the sons of Menudo. Seeing them so happy and I feel cheated because if it wasn’t for what I went through, I would believe them. Because what I want and the reason why I am here is so Edgardo, it’s not Menudo, it’s Edgardo and he can’t keep doing the things that he’s been doing. I really love Menudo and I would really like a producer or promoter that is familial and decent to take care of these boys or Menudo. Not Edgardo Díaz. That’s all.”

Now, you’re thinking what does this case have to do with the Menendez brothers.

The journalist Robert Rand spoke with John Peduto, a former assistant of Jose Menendez from the days where he used to work for RCA Records and the assistant recounted to Rand that Jose Menendez was obsessed with the band Menudo. 

In 2023, Roy Rosselló alleged that he was sexually assaulted by Jose Menendez while visiting his home in New Jersey.

Jose Menendez was the president of RCA Records and Menudo signed with RCA. 

Jose Menendez on the far left, Edgardo Diaz with the glasses, and Roy Rosselló on the far right.

Rosselló recounts the story as him visiting the home of Jose Menendez.

Roy Rossello on Meeting Jose Menendez

This new evidence shows that Jose Menendez had other victims and that Jose Menendez was associated with a man that was also accused of sexually abusing young boys.

To me, this is crazy because I had heard of the band Menudo, as a little girl I danced to the song Subete a Mi Moto at my older sister’s quinceañera back in the early 2000’s so their music was still popular even until that point. I didn’t know anything about the sexual abuse allegations from Edgardo Díaz until Roy Rosselló spoke out about it when he also spoke out about Jose Menendez and I didn’t know that the sexual abuse allegations from the Menudo members dates back to the 1990s.