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Soccer player turned dancer, “world champion,” inventor of a style, film actor : many things have been said about Fernando Sosa. When asked how it all began, he goes back to childhood : « De chiquito quería ser futbolista. » (As a little boy, I wanted to be a soccer player.) — Fernando Sosa, Diamond Talks interview, July 2026 ^[1].

That dream explains why he arrives in Italy in 1993. It also explains why dance came later. Between the two are a Cuban mentor, study trips paid for out of his own pocket, a company, a school, a competition, and a film. But before following his journey step by step, there are eight claims to examine.

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Soccer player, world champion, inventor, film director? The 8 MYTHS about Fernando Sosa, TRUE or FALSE

Biographies in directories, collaborative encyclopedia pages, and festival write-ups about Fernando Sosa circulate, copied from one another and sometimes exaggerated ^[2]. Eight common beliefs keep coming up. Which ones hold up? The verdict at a glance, followed by the details in the indicated section.

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MONTEVIDEO, May 19, 1977 : a little boy who dreams of soccer

According to his school’s website, Fernando Sosa was born on May 19, 1977, in Montevideo, Uruguay ^[3]. He still describes himself as Uruguayan : he was born in Uruguay, he says in 2021, and that is how he feels ^[1]. In an interview filmed in Argentina, he explains that he was born in Uruguay but grew up in Italy ^[1]. He returns to Uruguay in 2007 with Tropical Gem for a congress, then in September 2015, eight years later, for a bootcamp and another congress. In 2015, he speaks of very strong emotions on returning to the city where he was born ^[1].

As a little boy, he dreams of becoming a soccer player. He has also always loved dancing, without thinking of making it his profession, and he never took dance classes before Italy. He says that in Uruguay, he used to imitate Michael Jackson in the locker room, in front of his teammates ^[1][4]. He practiced artistic gymnastics for several years at a club in Montevideo, according to his company ^[5].

In Uruguay, Salsa is not everyday music. It is mainly cumbia and traditional rhythms, he explains, and there is no major Salsa culture ^[1]. For him, however, Fania is something normal ^[1].

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1993 : Milan, soccer comes first

In 1993, he moves to Italy to play soccer ^[1][3][4]. He plays for youth teams and, he says, in Serie C1, at Solbiatese ^[1][4].

Soccer does not become his career. Sosa gives different explanations over the years : bad luck in 2017 and 2019, then opportunities he says he squandered himself from 2024 to 2026 ^[1]. He draws a conclusion : without that failure, he says, the door to dance would not have opened ^[1]. He even addresses the young soccer player he once was : « si yo no hubiese fracasado en el fútbol no hubiese abierto la puerta del baile » (if I had not failed at soccer, I would not have opened the door to dance) and « gracias porque igual me mostró un camino » (thank you, because it still showed me a path) — Fernando Sosa, Diamond Talks interview, July 2026 ^[1].

In January 2026, he says it again differently : « Oggi so che senza quel “no”, non sarebbe mai arrivato il “sì” della danza. » (Today I know that without that “no,” the “yes” of dance would never have come.) Then : « Dopo la delusione del calcio, la danza mi ha preso per mano e mi ha detto : “È questa la tua direzione”. Mi ha dato una routine, un senso, un’identità. » (After the disappointment of soccer, dance took me by the hand and told me : “This is your direction.” It gave me a routine, a sense of purpose, an identity.) — Fernando Sosa, Virgilio Notizie, January 2026 ^[4].

This story fueled a common misconception, repeated by a dance directory : Sosa supposedly went to Italy to study dance ^[2]. In fact, he came for soccer, and dance arrived later, through a Cuban mentor.

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BIZZARRONE, 1993-1997 : the evening with Alberto Valdés

According to his account, the young soccer player discovers Salsa at the Roncaccio in Bizzarrone. He remembers an evening with a free class taught by Alberto Valdés, a Cuban dancer based in Italy ^[1]. He goes back often : the club opens three evenings a week, with classes before the party (Afro-Cuban, timba). He stays at the back of the room and learns everything, he says ^[1]. This happens between 1993 and 1997, according to his accounts ^[1][3][4].

He retains a vivid image of that first sight : « Non riuscivo a staccargli gli occhi di dosso fin da quando lo vidi la prima volta. Mi piacquero le sue movenze, il suo sentire la musica, la sua passione per il ballo mi catturarono. Da lì a poco capii che era quella la mia strada. » (I could not take my eyes off him from the very first time I saw him. I loved his movements, the way he felt the music ; his passion for dance captivated me. Soon afterward, I realized that this was my path.) — Fernando Sosa, Giornale della Danza, June 2017 ^[4]. When dance truly enters his life, he says in 2026, it is « come un uragano. Mi ha travolto. E ho capito subito che era la mia strada. È stato come nel poker : All in. Ho puntato tutto. » (like a hurricane. It swept me away. I immediately realized that this was my path. It was like poker : all in. I bet everything.) — Fernando Sosa, Virgilio Notizie, January 2026 ^[4].

Valdés becomes his first mentor. Sosa says it in many interviews : he introduces him to rumba, Afro, and Cuban culture, and takes him to Cuba ^[1]. He says that meeting changed his rhythmic and artistic life ^[1]. His mentor also introduces him to the world of Caribbean dances ^[3].

« Fue un cambio en mi vida, él me abrió un mundo y me llevó a Cuba por primera vez a estudiar. » (It was a change in my life : he opened up a world for me and took me to Cuba for the first time to study.) — Fernando Sosa, TVSaborLatino, January 2019 ^[1]. And, in 2018 : « grazie ad Alberto Valdés è stata la mia ascesa perché è stata la persona che ha creduto in me » (thanks to Alberto Valdés, I rose, because he was the person who believed in me) — Fernando Sosa, Salpicon Latino, July 2018 ^[1].

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BOLOGNA and FERRARA : working the microphone as an MC

At that time, Sosa is not yet a stage dancer. He works as a nightclub MC, on the microphone, under the wing of a more experienced MC : an MC who wants to become a dancer, as he sums it up ^[1]. Rafael González, who later sees him in this role, also speaks of a young man who worked the microphone and was already dancing ^[7].

He is then living in Bologna and Ferrara, where he works solo as an MC in nightclubs in the region ^[1]. When Valdés puts together a performance group in Milan, Sosa joins him to rehearse several times a week ^[1].

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1997 : CUBA with Alberto Valdés

In 1997, Valdés organizes a study trip to Cuba. Sosa joins him for two weeks, according to his account, taking five hours of classes a day, and spends all his money on records ^[1]. He comes back transformed, he says ^[1]. In total, he counts two stays in Cuba in 2015, then three in his interviews from 2017 to 2020 ^[1].

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1998 : OTRA IDEA, the only non-Cuban

He then joins Otra Idea, Alberto Valdés’s performance group. It is an all-male group that grew out of an older group, Un Solo Pueblo ^[1]. Sosa is its only non-Cuban member, he says ^[1]. He joins in the late 1990s, in 1997-1998 according to his own dates ^[1].

At first, he does not dance the choreography. The masters feel he is not ready yet, and he learns the show by heart ^[1]. On opening night, he makes only a brief appearance as a babalao (a priest of the Afro-Cuban religion), seated, without dancing: he himself says he was the scenery for the choreography, which Rafael González confirms ^[1][7]. He comes by train from Bologna and is the first to arrive at rehearsals, Rafael González also says ^[7].

He dates the start of his work as a professional dancer to that moment: “That’s why I tell you that this is where my career began; I consider that the beginning of my professionalism.” (That’s why I tell you that this is where my career began; I consider that the beginning of my professionalism.) — Fernando Sosa, Palabras, 1X Produzioni, November 2024 ^[1]. Onstage in 2018, in front of his two masters, he draws this lesson: “But it was the greatest lesson, because they didn’t hand me anything. They put me onstage when I was truly ready to be there.” (But it was the greatest lesson, because they didn’t hand me anything. They put me onstage when I was truly ready to be there.); “they were my true teachers in life” (they were my true teachers in life); “anyone can teach you the steps; how to live, no” (anyone can teach you the steps; how to live, no) — Fernando Sosa, Noi che amiamo la salsa, May 2018 ^[1]. He says he went on to perform three thousand shows with them ^[1].

It is in this group that he meets Rafael González, a Cuban living in Italy, with whom he will found Tropical Gem ^[1][7].

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1999: JOHNNY VAZQUEZ, NEW YORK, LOS ANGELES, PUERTO RICO: the study trips

One memory dates back to 1999. Sosa says he saw Johnny Vazquez arrive in Milan, at the Bacardí congress, like an extraterrestrial. For him, there is a before and an after: he starts studying New York, Los Angeles, and Puerto Rico ^[1]. The context helps explain it: as early as 1999, a rum brand, Bacardí, funds a world tour of Salsa congresses ^[8].

Sosa does not stay within Cuban Salsa. He invests all his money in study trips, he says. He even recounts selling a car for one of them and going a year without a vehicle ^[1]. He sums up this journey in January 2017.

He first says: “empecé con Alberto Valdés, mi primer maestro y me llevó a Cuba” (I started with Alberto Valdés, my first master, and he took me to Cuba) — Fernando Sosa, interview with Anny Atehortua, January 2017 ^[1]. Next come New York, Los Angeles, and Puerto Rico.

• New York. He studies with Eddie Torres, for seven or eight consecutive summers according to him, staying for two to five weeks at a time ^[1]. He speaks of him with respect: “porque para mí Eddie es una persona fundamental en mi carrera y lo respeto mucho” (because, for me, Eddie is a fundamental person in my career and I respect him a lot) — Fernando Sosa, Diamond Talks interview, July 2026 ^[1].
• Los Angeles. He says he took classes with the Vazquez brothers, whom he calls his first inspiration for the stage: “Hermanos Vásquez, first inspiration for me.” (The Vásquez brothers, my first inspiration.) And later: “When I found Vasquez’s gira, Vasquez’s style, I found my place.” (When I found the Vasquez tour, the Vasquez style, I found my place.) — Fernando Sosa, Behind The Shines, May 2026 ^[1]. He speaks of energy and theater ^[1].
• Puerto Rico. He studies there and attends the world Salsa congress in July. He has been there ten times, he says in a livestream ^[1].

Over the course of these trips, he says, something filled up inside him without his knowing it. He then starts creating from this blend of Cuba, Los Angeles, New York, and Puerto Rico ^[1]. This is where the Sosa Style, discussed below, will come from.

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May 1, 2000: TROPICAL GEM is born in Milan, with Rafael

Before founding the company, Sosa returns to solo dancing, then dances for about a year with a dancer from Bologna: together, they take part in their “first world congress” (first world congress) — Fernando Sosa, Com’eravamo Salseri ’90, April 2020 ^[1]. Rafael González, for his part, is looking for a new project at the time ^[1].

Tropical Gem is born in Milan in May 2000, from an idea by Fernando Sosa and Rafael González, both of whom came from Otra Idea ^[1][6][7]. Sosa even gives the day: May 1, 2000, according to him ^[1][6]. The two men want to dance with female dancers, whereas Otra Idea was an all-male group ^[1]. They leave with their master’s approval: “with the blessing of Alberto Valdes, whom I consider my master” (with the blessing of Alberto Valdes, whom I consider my master) — Fernando Sosa, text published by Salsa.it, May 2020 ^[6]. He will say it again in 2025: “lo amo a mi maestro y siempre me apoyó en mi nuevo proyecto” (I love my master, and he has always supported me in my new project) — Fernando Sosa, VdanceClub, January 2025 ^[1].

The name comes, according to Sosa, from the Tropicana, a club in Milan, and Latin Gem, the neighboring school. For twenty years, he says, he answered that Tropical meant tropical, and Gem, stone ^[1]. In November 2024, he explains why: it was “to avoid naming those people, who were in fact fundamental to my career” (to avoid naming those people, who were in fact fundamental to my career). At the Tropicana, where they all worked, the people in charge helped, encouraged, and managed the company in its early years. Then the relationship breaks down, and Sosa and Rafael González leave. For years, Sosa is “the unmentionable one” (the unmentionable one) there, in the place where he made, he says, “my mistakes, as many young people do” (my mistakes, as many young people do). He draws a lesson from this falling-out: when you part ways “when the god of money is in the middle” (when the god of money is in the middle), “in the end you create your own truth” (in the end you create your own truth), and each person tells “two different movies” (two different movies). He holds “no grudge” (no grudge) against them and thanks them: “for better and for worse” (for better and for worse), “they created part of who I am” (they created part of who I am) — Fernando Sosa, Palabras, 1X Produzioni, November 2024 ^[1].

The stage debut? According to the company, Tropical Gem appears in June 2000 at the World Salsa Congress in Milan. Rafael González, for his part, speaks of a performance at Milan’s Alcatraz ^[5][7]. The first two choreographies are called Tumbando Caña and Matrix ^[1][7].

In their very first year, at the Puerto Rico congress, Tropical Gem is the first name called out among 88 groups present to join the Bacardí team for the next tour, Sosa recounts. His first job for the congress is a tour of Spain: eleven days in five cities, he says; ten days according to the company ^[1][5].

Two female dancers from Los Angeles join the company starting in the fall of 2000: Sandy Ramos, then Alyra Lennox ^[1][5][7]. Later, speaking about his first trip to Japan, which he places in 2008 or 2009, Sosa again says of Sandy Ramos: “mi bailarina en ese momento” (my dancer at that time) — Fernando Sosa, Cero estrés podcast, May 2024 ^[1]. Tatiana Bonaguro counts them, along with Rafael González and Sosa, among the company’s first dancers ^[7].

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2001-2007: ALYRA LENNOX, stage and competition partner

Alyra Lennox moves to Milan in December 2000 ^[6]. From 2001 to 2007, she is Sosa’s partner, onstage and in competitions ^[1][7]. He owes her a lot: “many things about my passion for partner dancing […] she was the one who taught them to me” (many things about my passion for partner dancing […] she was the one who taught them to me) — Fernando Sosa, Palabras, 1X Produzioni, May 2025 ^[1].

Sosa and Alyra Lennox compete as a couple. They finish third in the first San Juan Salsa Open, in Puerto Rico, in 2001 or in July 2002 depending on the sources ^[3][4][5][6]. Sosa thought he had won: there were eight couples in the final. He recounts that the vote placed him third, and that a host present in the room confirms the audience’s booing ^[1]. His judgment is blunt: “dos jueces me dieron un número muy bajo que yo creo que fue solo por antipatía” (two judges gave me a very low score that, I believe, was due solely to dislike) — Fernando Sosa, Diamond Talks interview, July 2026 ^[1].

A team begins to take shape around him: the Sosa Style Dancers are formed in late 2001 or in March 2002 ^[5].

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March 2003: ASTROSALSA, and TATIANA’s arrival

Tatiana Bonaguro arrives by a different route. She starts as a student of Sosa and Alyra Lennox, in 2001 or in 2002 according to her accounts. She makes her stage debut with Tropical Gem in March 2003, in Astrosalsa (on March 21), after taking Sosa’s classes and rehearsing with the group ^[3][7]. She later becomes a teacher and choreographer.

Sosa recounts what followed in 2021: “she was the student who became a dancer […] became a teacher, became my dancer” (she was the student who became a dancer […] became a teacher, became my dancer) — Fernando Sosa, In Famiglia livestream, May 2021 ^[1].

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2004: GRANDE FRATELLO, Milan’s SALSA OPEN, and the company’s school

In March 2004, the group enters the house of the TV show Grande Fratello (the Italian Big Brother) live on air to surprise its residents by dancing Astrosalsa ^[5]. Some directories drew from this the false idea that Sosa had been a contestant ^[2][5].

In April 2004, according to his company, Sosa and Alyra Lennox take first place at the Milan Salsa Open and proclaim themselves 2004 World Champions ^[5]. Sosa, for his part, says he won a world title in linear Salsa in 2004 with his first partner ^[1]. The word world therefore comes from the company and from Sosa himself.

Sosa and Rafael González open a school together, the Tropical Gem Dance School, in September 2005, according to the company ^[5]. The duo of Sosa and Alyra Lennox lasts until 2007.

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2007-2012: FANTÀSIA, then CELIA CRUZ, with Marco Berretta

In 2007, Sosa creates the musical Fantàsia with Marco B. He says he invented it with him, from scratch ^[1][3][5]. In 2010, Tropical Gem opens the Berlin Salsa Congress, October 1-4, with the show Survivor ^[8].

Sosa puts on a show paying tribute to Celia Cruz with Marco Berretta and his Flamboyan Dancers, who had already partnered with him for Fantàsia (2007) ^[1][6]. In Berlin, Tropical Gem and the Flamboyan Dancers present El Tiempo de Maquina, devoted to Celia Cruz ^[8]. An excerpt from a show devoted to the singer is shown in November 2010 ^[6]. In 2011, Sosa speaks of Azúcar, an hour-and-a-half show with about fifteen choreographies, no singing, and a video telling the singer’s life story; he says he performed it in Mexico, Spain, and Italy ^[1]. In March 2012, a show on the same subject, with the same companies, is announced in Sofia under the title La Reina ^[6].

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2008: BUCCINASCO, the SOSA ACADEMY with Tito Petronio

In 2008, Sosa opens the Sosa Academy in Buccinasco, near Milan, with his business partner Tito Petronio ^[1][3]. He says it has five rooms, compared with four before ^[1][6]. Of Tito, he says: “my business partner, my brother” (my business partner, my brother) — Fernando Sosa, Network Sport Italia, June 2017 ^[1]. And in 2017, to Salsa.it: “we have each been the other’s shoulder to lean on: when I wanted to give up, he kept rowing” (we have each been the other’s shoulder to lean on: when I wanted to give up, he kept rowing) ^[6].

In the late 2000s, Tatiana Bonaguro also becomes his stage partner. A show, “Fernando Sosa & Tatiana Bonaguro,” is announced in Genoa for November 21, 2008 ^[6]. Sosa says it in 2025: “Tati empezó como alumna en mi academia […] y después se transformó completamente mi bailarina […] ¿2008, 2009? Más o menos desde ahí bailamos juntos.” (Tati started as a student in my academy […] and then she became fully my dancer […] 2008, 2009? We have been dancing together since around then.) — Fernando Sosa, VdanceClub, January 2025 ^[1][4][7]. In 2026, he again says of her: “Tati is my friend for […] over 20 years” (Tati has been my friend for […] more than twenty years) — Fernando Sosa, Behind The Shines, May 2026 ^[1].

His system is that of a real school: levels, tests, exams, and monthly battles, which he says he has been holding for years ^[1]. Sosa also invites colleagues to teach at the academy; in October 2023, he notably announces Alberto Valdés’s visit ^[1].

Music also keeps him busy. According to him, in 2008 he records an album, Simplemente Fernando, released by Alosibla Edizioni Musicali: he writes, composer Massimo Scalici composes, and Sosa sings. He announces its release for May 1, 2009 ^[1][6].

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2011: the CAMANA CLUB opens in Buccinasco

The Camana Club, a nightclub near the academy, opens in 2011; its program, archived in September 2011, announces shows starting October 15 ^[3][5]. It will host the first official edition of Salsanamà in 2017, followed by the farewell show in 2024. Sosa also mentions an annual event he owns, Salseando Beach ^[1].

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2011: the split with RAFAEL GONZÁLEZ, as told by both

Rafael González leaves Tropical Gem in 2011, both cofounders say ^[1][7]. Sosa writes in 2020 that, since then, the company’s name has become somewhat conflated with his own ^[6]. Hence a common misconception: Tropical Gem is Fernando Sosa alone. That is incomplete, since the company was cofounded with Rafael González.

Each tells the story of this split in his own way. Rafael says that, as early as 2010-2011, he wanted to travel less with the group and devote more time to teaching: “ho dedicato molto di più al mio insegnamento” (I devoted much more time to my teaching), until he left the group. He adds that “il modo di lavorare era cambiato” (the way of working had changed): after the last class, which ended at midnight, Sosa, who already had the choreography in mind, stayed on to work; Rafael could no longer keep up with that pace. He also gives a personal reason: “ho conosciuto una persona qui” (I met someone here), in Switzerland, “per motivi personali, privati” (for personal, private reasons). He speaks of “buoni rapporti” (good relations) and places his final farewell in Benidorm, Spain — Rafael González, Com’eravamo Salseri ’90, April 2020 ^[7].

Rafael also recounts a more personal turning point a few years earlier. On August 18, 2006, he is initiated into “santo,” the Afro-Cuban religion, like many of his Cuban colleagues, he says; he describes himself as a son of Elegguá. “non l’ho scelto io, l’ho scelto loro” (I was not the one who chose it, they were), he says. In terms of folklore, it “fa parte della mia cultura” (is part of my culture), and it changed him: “mi ha aiutato anche tanto a vedere la vita” (it also helped me a lot in how I see life); after initiation, he says, you take much greater responsibility — Rafael González, Com’eravamo Salseri ’90, April 2020 ^[7].

Sosa tells the story in more detail. He had realized right away, he says, that they were completely different: “diversi, incompatibili per certi aspetti e io credo che fama e denaro ci tenessero attaccati” (different, incompatible in some ways, and I think fame and money kept us tied together). At the time, he described Rafael as “troppo leggero, troppo vivi e lascia vivere” (too carefree, too “live and let live”); for him, it was “volevo, volevo, volevo” (I wanted, I wanted, I wanted). He saw the time Rafael wanted to set aside for his book as “perdita di tempo” (a waste of time). Today, he treasures his two hours in the morning with his book, in his park, and recognizes himself in the Rafael of those days: “lui è stato fondamentale per la mia crescita” (he was fundamental to my growth). Then comes the split: “c’è stato un episodio verso il 2008” (there was an incident around 2008), which unleashes an already existing desire to leave. They carry on for a while, then part ways, each with his own school ^[1].

Years of silence follow, then reconciliation. The previous year, Sosa recounts, a photo he saw in a club reminded him of a historic date he had missed “per un problema con Rafa” (because of a problem with Rafa), a weekend “di rabbia, di ira” (of rage, of anger). He then writes to Rafael and apologizes; the message’s contents stay between them. He explains publicly why: he thinks he seized on that incident “per fare quello che magari non avevo il coraggio di fare” (to do what I perhaps did not have the courage to do); he needed an incident “per sentirmi più forte” (to feel stronger). Today, they talk often: “c’è amore vero tra me e lui, un’amicizia vera che io la chiamo amore” (there is real love between him and me, a real friendship that I call love) — Fernando Sosa, Palabras, 1X Produzioni, November 2024 ^[1].

Each acknowledges what the other has given him. Sosa: “è il fondatore di questa compagnia insieme a me” (he is the founder of this company along with me); “un improvvisatore nato, quindi dalla parte sua artistica un genio” (a born improviser, so, artistically, a genius); and: “artisticamente l’ho criticato tantissimo ma in faccia […] perché eravamo gli opposti” (artistically, I criticized him a great deal, but to his face […] because we were opposites) — Fernando Sosa, Palabras, 1X Produzioni, May 2025 ^[1]. Rafael: “lavorando di fianco a Fernando lui ti portava sempre a dare sempre di più” (working alongside Fernando, he always pushed you to give more and more); “mi ha insegnato tanto anche a me, mi ha aiutato tanto a creare la disciplina” (he taught me a lot, he helped me a lot to build discipline) — Rafael González, Com’eravamo Salseri ’90, April 2020 ^[7].

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November 14-16, 2014: the MILANO INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL

From November 14 to 16, 2014, the first edition of the Milano International Festival takes place at the Crowne Plaza hotel in San Donato Milanese, just outside Milan. The idea comes from four artists, Chiquito, Sosa, Filippo Swinguis, and Adolfo Indacochea, with Tito Petronio as artistic director ^[1][4]. Alberto Valdés is among the guests: Sosa calls him his great master ^[1].

He has clear ideas about congresses. In 2017, at the Bailando Milano Congress, he says he would avoid “show eterni” (endless shows): waiting through thirty or thirty-five shows before going on is too long. He would like music “a 360 gradi” (covering 360 degrees): a major congress attracts dancers of Bachata, Cuban Salsa, and linear Salsa, both On1 and On2, and the future, in his view, will be to “accontentare musicalmente più persone” (satisfy as many people as possible musically) — Fernando Sosa, Network Sport Italia, February 2017 ^[1].

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2016-2018: LAS VEGAS, three times in Mega Team

The company renews itself. In 2015, young dancers trained at the academy join Tropical Gem and give Sosa renewed motivation, he says ^[1]. Today, according to him, almost the entire team has come out of the academy, with no outside auditions ^[1]. Omar López, a dancer in the company, speaks of a process to follow to join ^[7].

A year later, the company heads to Las Vegas. Fernando Sosa is sometimes introduced as a three-time world champion. The wording is misleading, because these are team titles. They were won with Tropical Gem at the Ultimate Latin Dance Championship (ULDC) in Las Vegas: three consecutive victories in Mega Team, in 2016 with Impacto, in 2017 with Full Metal Gem, and then in 2018 ^[6][9].

An organizer’s video, dated 2016, shows first place in the Mega Salsa Team Division finals for Tropical Gem – Italy. In 2017, with Full Metal Gem, the company wins for the second year in a row, the very week Sosa’s film is released: “Mi sento molto fortunato” (I feel very lucky), he says ^[6]. In 2018 comes the third consecutive victory. In a May 2020 retrospective, dancers also name Impacto and Full Metal Gem among the winning choreographies in Las Vegas ^[3][6][9].

Sosa himself explains the nature of these titles: “Perché gare, ne abbiamo vinte tante, tre a Las Vegas, come gruppo” (Because we have won many competitions, three in Las Vegas, as a group) — Fernando Sosa, text published by Salsa.it, May 2020 ^[6]. When an interviewer calls him a two-time world champion, he replies that his titles were won with the group ^[1].

He could have shone on his own. He did not: “Pero nunca lo hice. Siempre aposté al grupo. Siempre.” (But I never did. I always bet on the group. Always.) — Fernando Sosa, interview with Anny Atehortua, January 2017 ^[1]. That same year, he says it bluntly: “non sono da gare” (I am not cut out for competitions). Yet he chose the new Las Vegas competition because its mega crew category allowed fusion with Salsa: “un po’ un richiamo a quello che faccio da sempre” (a bit of a reminder of what I have always done) — Fernando Sosa, Network Sport Italia, February 2017 ^[1].

In 2018, the category requires at least six couples. Sosa did not have enough. So he added Full Project and men from the C Crew to his group. He speaks of a forced choice, made from the heart ^[6].

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February 3-5, 2017: SALSANAMÀ, an improvised Salsa duel

Salsanamà is an international duel competition, One vs One: two dancers challenge each other and each improvises to the same music. Sosa created it ^[1][3][6]. He explains that he devised it to defend what he calls salserità, a word he says he invented ^[1][3]: “I created with the aim of promoting, valorizing, respecting and spreading “Salserity”” (I created it with the aim of promoting, valuing, respecting, and spreading “Salserity”) — Fernando Sosa, Salsanamà website ^[3]. Even before the first edition, he presents it as a competition to “il difendere la tecnica salsera” (defend Salsa technique) — Fernando Sosa, Network Sport Italia, February 2017 ^[1]. In 2021, he defines it this way: “el desarrollo de la técnica salsera y el desarrollo del movimiento corporal, junto con un poco de sabor” (the development of Salsa technique and body movement, with a little flavor) — Fernando Sosa, Fusión Salsafest, July 2021 ^[1]. The competition thus defends a Salsa dancer’s freedom of interpretation when improvising ^[3].

The idea comes from a trip to Argentina. In a club in Córdoba, Sosa sees Salsa dancers face off one on one on the dance floor for the first time. For them, he says, it was not an official competition, it was a dance floor affair ^[1]. He places this scene in 2013; elsewhere, his dates range from 2013 to 2015 ^[1]. He says he organized a first edition exclusively for his students in 2015 ^[1].

He retains a simple phrase from that moment: “io pensavo di organizzare una gara, non pensavo di creare un movimento mondiale” (I thought I was organizing a competition, not creating a worldwide movement) — Fernando Sosa, documentary by 1X Produzioni, April 2026 ^[1].

He also clarifies what he claims as his own: the Salsa format, not one-on-one. Duels already exist in breakdance and hip hop, as he himself points out ^[1]. He says he was against competitions for a long time, and refused to collaborate with the Italian federation before creating his own competition ^[1].

The first official edition takes place from February 3 to 5, 2017, at the Camana Club in Buccinasco ^[4][6]. It has three categories and more than a hundred entrants. Each dancer takes a turn improvising for 40 seconds to the same track, drawn at random from more than a hundred songs known in advance ^[6].

The event travels: to Australia for the first time in 2019, according to him ^[1]. In 2021, in the midst of the pandemic, Sosa announces a Salsanamà 0 edition: rankings and finals are postponed until 2022 ^[4]. The rules change in 2022: the track list is no longer given to contestants, who discover the music when it is drawn at random ^[1][4]. Sosa explains that after five years with a list, a change was needed. Each finalist also brings one minute of music unknown to the other, a format he says he borrowed from a pop competition ^[1].

In the 2026 documentary, he speaks of contestants from Kazakhstan and five young people from India who have confirmed a second edition of Salsanama India ^[1]. For Sosa, the competition also serves to reach young people and help those with fewer resources come to study in Europe ^[1]. In 2026, he experiences the edition from the outside for the first time, he says ^[1].

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June 29, 2017: THE LATIN DREAM, a Salsa film

Sosa also writes for the movies. The Latin Dream opens in Italian theaters in late June 2017 ^[4][9]. He wrote the story and screenplay, plays the lead role, and choreographed the film ^[1][9]. The film is directed by Luis (or Louis) Medina, an Argentine friend of Sosa, and produced by Anerica Srl, with Tito Petronio ^[4][9].

He says he wrote the first version of the screenplay in a weekend. He wanted Luis Medina to direct the film and planned to help him as assistant director ^[6]. An initial version of the film is first shot in the United States (in New Orleans), but does not come to fruition. Sosa then decides to remake it in Milan, with a team of dancers and friends: filming lasts four weeks ^[1][6]. The premiere takes place in Melzo, followed by a party at the Camana Club ^[1][4].

The film is not an autobiography, Sosa says, but it largely represents him. He wanted to give the Caribbean world a real film with real Salsa dancers ^[1]. Tatiana Bonaguro also appears in it: she plays Sharon Ivanova, his competition partner in the film, a social climber whom Sosa describes as “molto cattiva” (very mean): she wants to win at all costs and keeps him in that world. It is a fictional role ^[6][9].

On the eve of the release, he explains what Salsa means to him: “Uno stile di vita. Mi alzo la mattina e ballo, la sera prima di andare a dormire ballo. È vita a 360 gradi” (A way of life. I get up in the morning and dance, in the evening before going to sleep I dance. It is life at 360 degrees), and adds: “Sono molto felice anche delle mie scelte sbagliate. Grazie a quelle ho fatto cose migliori dopo.” (I am very happy even with my bad choices. Thanks to them, I did better things afterward.) — Fernando Sosa, Il Giorno, June 2017 ^[4].

With Luis Medina, Sosa has also produced, directed, or acted in several short films: Sola, Good Luck and Without You, shot in Argentina ^[1][3].

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May 1, 2020: twenty years of Tropical Gem, in the midst of lockdown

Sosa also teaches far from Milan. In 2019, in Guayaquil, he says he has taught classes in China, Korea, and Australia, and is visiting Ecuador for the first time, invited by the Baila Conmigo school ^[1].

The 2020 lockdown changes things. Sosa suspends his schools, his academy, and his group, then moves to online classes. He celebrates twenty years of Tropical Gem live on Instagram on May 1, 2020 ^[1].

That same month, he takes stock: “Oggi, tirare una riga sui vent’anni, vuol dire tirare una riga di felicità perché sono nettamente più le soddisfazioni che le delusioni” (Today, drawing a line under twenty years means drawing a line of happiness, because the satisfactions far outnumber the disappointments); “la riga continua perché la passione c’è” (the line continues because the passion is there). He thanks his dancers: “ringrazio veramente tutti quelli che sono passati da poco o tantissimi anni, perché in qualche modo hanno fatto parte anche loro di questa meravigliosa cavalcata” (I truly thank everyone who has come through recently or a very long time ago, because, in one way or another, they too have been part of this wonderful ride) — Fernando Sosa, text published by Salsa.it, May 2020 ^[6].

In 2021, he creates My Inception. In May 2021, he says he has created more than ninety choreographies in twenty-one years; this is the first one he has made for himself: “questa è stata la prima, e posso dire la prima coreografia che io ho fatto per me” (this is the first, and I can say the first choreography I have made for myself). He explains what guided him in his own words: “Ecco, questa volta non ho pensato a niente perché il mio nuovo cammino, diciamo così, soprattutto molto spirituale, mi ha dato degli input, dei nuovi stimoli, dei nuovi messaggi.” (Well, this time I did not think about anything, because my new path, let us say, above all a very spiritual one, gave me impulses, new stimuli, new messages.) — Fernando Sosa, In Famiglia livestream, May 2021 ^[1].

He dates this path himself. In May 2021, he says he embarked on it two years earlier: “Io ero partito due anni fa con questa vita, con questo cambiamento, la meditazione, un cammino spirituale.” (I had started two years ago with this life, with this change, meditation, a spiritual path.) Lockdown immerses him in it completely: he realizes that it is “il momento di darci dentro con la meditazione, la spiritualità, lo studio di determinate persone che ne sanno tantissimo” (the time to throw myself into it, with meditation, spirituality, studying certain people who know a great deal). For a year, he commits to it like a student in a basic Salsa class who, having come once a week, decides to come every day. He describes himself as “spiritualmente molto cresciuto” (having grown a great deal spiritually) and changed “come essere umano” (as a human being). And he says it plainly: “la spiritualità è al primo posto per me” (spirituality comes first for me); “la luce che c’è dentro ognuno di noi credo che sia il grande segreto” (the light that is within each of us, I believe that is the great secret) — Fernando Sosa, In Famiglia livestream, May 2021 ^[1].

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2018: the Afro class and the social media dispute

Around 2018, he says, a dispute erupts around Sosa. He recounts it in July 2026, without going into every detail: “me hizo crecer mucho como ser humano, me dolió mucho” (it made me grow a lot as a human being, it hurt me a lot). At the Sosa Academy one day, “dos bailarines míos sustituyeron al maestro” (two of my dancers replaced the teacher) for an Afro class. The end of the class goes wrong: “yo no controlo esas cosas, se equivocan haciendo el paso” (I do not control those things, they make a mistake while doing the step). He does not downplay the mistake: “no hay que jugar con esas cosas, yo entiendo que es una equivocación” (you should not play around with those things, I understand that it is a mistake) — Fernando Sosa, Diamond Talks interview, July 2026 ^[1].

Social media erupts: “las redes sociales empezaron a atacarme a mí como persona” (social media began attacking me as a person), while he was traveling to the United States. He points out that he has never tried to make money from this culture: “yo fui uno de los que nunca me permití de lucrar en el afro, en la rumba” (I was one of those who never allowed themselves to profit from Afro, from rumba); “y estudié y lo aprofundicé, fue parte de mi carrera” (and I studied it and explored it in depth, it was part of my career). In his view, “se transformó en un incendio total del ambiente” (it turned into a fire engulfing the entire scene), with “ataques personales” (personal attacks) from “gente de Miami, maestros viejos que me acusaban sin conocerme” (people from Miami, old masters who accused me without knowing me). Listening to them, you would have thought he had “roto un sarcófago” (broken a sarcophagus) of Afro ^[1].

He eventually lets everything go, “solté todo” (I let everything go), and the fire “se apagó solo” (went out on its own). He chose not to respond: “paré a todos mis fans, los que me ayudaban […] dije, hey, stop” (I stopped all my fans, those who were helping me […] I said: hey, stop), then “yo seguí con mi camino” (I continued on my path). His conclusion: “cuando tú haces las cosas bien el incendio es inmediato” (when you do things right, the fire is immediate) — Fernando Sosa, Diamond Talks interview, July 2026 ^[1].

Rafael González, who has known Sosa since Otra Idea, gives his version in April 2020. He and Sosa have never been Afro masters, he says, and their knowledge in this area has remained limited: “la nostra conoscenza è stata molto limitata in questo, ancora lo dico oggi” (our knowledge has been very limited in this area, and I still say so today). He links the dispute to a step performed incorrectly by one of Sosa’s dancers. He also mentions a video they had shot together when he was first learning, as a bonus for an instructional DVD: it was removed from YouTube because of the controversy, he believes. In Afro, he explains, every master has their own requirements, often very exacting, and the step may not have been performed exactly as it should have been; but “non era il caso di fare il processo mondiale” (there was no need to put him on trial before the whole world): “bastava telefonare” (a phone call would have been enough). In his view, some wanted to gain “fama e fortuna” (fame and fortune) by making Sosa a scapegoat — Rafael González, Com’eravamo Salseri ’90, April 2020 ^[7].

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September 13, 2024: THE LAST DANCE, the farewell to the STAGE

The turning point comes earlier, about a year and a half before his November 2024 interview. Sosa speaks of a “crisi esistenziale” (existential crisis): “ero veramente attento al fatto che il mio corpo stava cedendo dall’interno” (I was really paying attention to the fact that my body was giving way from within). He draws a clear conclusion: “quella via che stai facendo ti dà soldi, ti dà fama, ti dà visibilità, ma ti sta togliendo felicità” (this path you are following gives you money, fame, visibility, but it takes happiness away from you), and says so: “ho troncato radicalmente, ho fatto un cambio di vita” (I made a clean break, I changed my life) — Fernando Sosa, Palabras, 1X Produzioni, November 2024 ^[1].

In an interview at the Denver Salsa Congress, uploaded in October 2023, Sosa talks about his year of transition ^[1]. In May 2024, on a podcast, he announces that he is about to retire from the stage and will continue as a teacher ^[1]. He sets his final show for September 13, at his nightclub, the Camana Club ^[1]. He says he feels very calm about this decision. What he takes away from the scene: “me quedo con la parte humana de la gente conocida, este mundo latino me ha dado todo” (I keep the human side of the people I have known; this Latin world has given me everything) — Fernando Sosa, Cero estrés podcast, May 2024 ^[1].

In June 2024, he had also announced a final international show in New York, at Adolfo Indacochea‘s congress, in August. The program for this festival, from August 1 to 5, 2024, lists him among its artists ^[1][6].

On September 13, 2024, at the Camana Club, he bids farewell to the stage as a dancer, with The Last Dance. He officially retires from the world of live performance with a final performance of about eleven minutes, a montage of his career, and a duet with Tatiana Bonaguro ^[6].

At the microphone, he thanks his wife first: “ora parto dal mio primo ringraziamento a The Last Dance quando ho preso il microfono, che è stata mia moglie” (I start with my first thank-you at The Last Dance, when I took the microphone: it went to my wife) — Fernando Sosa, Palabras, 1X Produzioni, November 2024 ^[1]. She met him in 2001, when he was still entertaining crowds in nightclubs, and never held him back: “mi ha detto sempre vai, vai spacca il mondo, vai a cercare i tuoi sogni” (she has always told me: go on, go on, take the world by storm, go after your dreams) — Fernando Sosa, In Famiglia livestream, May 2021 ^[1].

Two months later, he speaks of an unforgettable evening and the right decision, made at the right time: “io ho vissuto una serata indimenticabile” (I experienced an unforgettable evening); “erano lì a onorarmi” (they were there to honor me); “oggi due mesi dopo è fantastico aver fatto la scelta giusta nel momento giusto” (today, two months later, it is fantastic to have made the right choice at the right time) — Fernando Sosa, Palabras, 1X Produzioni, November 2024 ^[1].

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January 2026: SBALLO PER TE on Prime Video

Massimo Scalici, who had composed the music for Simplemente Fernando, later directs Sballo per te, a comedy starring Fernando Sosa, who is also one of its producers. The film is available on Prime Video in 2026 ^[4][6][9]. He explains what he hopes for the film in January 2026: “Quello che spero davvero è che si percepisca lo sforzo, la passione, l’intensità che abbiamo messo dentro questo progetto. […] Cuore, fatica, energia, notti insonni, nervi, sudore. […] Che arrivi allo spettatore anche solo un pezzettino di quel fuoco che ci muove.” (What I really hope is that people can sense the effort, passion, and intensity we have put into this project. […] Heart, fatigue, energy, sleepless nights, nerves, sweat. […] That even just a little piece of that fire that drives us reaches the viewer.) — Fernando Sosa, Virgilio Notizie, January 2026 ^[4].

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Since 2024: life after the stage

In July 2026, when asked about the fatigue of traveling, he replies: “Yo me retiré por esto […]. No puedo. Yo me retiré en el 24 del escenario porque necesitaba vida personal.” (I retired for that reason. I can’t. I retired from the stage in 2024 because I needed a personal life.) — Fernando Sosa, Diamond Talks interview, July 2026 ^[1]. Leaving the stage also allowed him to travel less and spend more time at home: “el hecho de dejar el escenario me dio posibilidad de hacer menos viajes, tanto de estar en mi casa” (leaving the stage gave me the chance to travel less, to be at home) — Fernando Sosa, Ritmo Consciente, March 2026 ^[1].

Twenty-four years on stage means “Cuatro ensayos a la semana. Fin de semana fuera de casa. Todo el año siempre.” (Four rehearsals a week. Weekends away from home. All year, always.) And missed moments with his loved ones, which he confides to his wife: “pero amor, me perdí […] me perdí lo otro” (but, my love, I missed […] I missed the rest). She always replies: “te recuerdo una cosa, que cuando estaba ese momento, tú soñabas estar ahí. Entonces estabas donde estabas soñando estar.” (let me remind you of one thing: when that moment came, you dreamed of being there. So you were where you dreamed of being.) — Fernando Sosa, Diamond Talks interview, July 2026 ^[1].

He then says he is more than sure he made the right choice: “lloraban todos menos yo porque yo estaba contento […] el amor que me dieron esa noche en mi retiro, pero yo nunca lloré porque estaba tranquilo. Y hoy, dos años después, estoy más que seguro que hice lo correcto” (everyone was crying except me, because I was happy […] the love they gave me that night for my retirement, but I never cried, because I was at peace. And today, two years later, I am more than sure I did the right thing) — Fernando Sosa, Diamond Talks interview, July 2026 ^[1].

This retirement concerns the stage, not Salsa. Fernando Sosa has not danced on stage since 2024; he remains a teacher, Tropical Gem’s choreographer, and the organizer of Salsanamà ^[1][6]. He also creates choreography for other competitors ^[1]. At the academy, he has four teams with Tatiana Bonaguro: Tropical Gem, the Sosa Style Dancers, then T-Latin and T-Junior ^[1]. Tatiana Bonaguro leads the group’s day-to-day work; Sosa is its cofounder and choreographer ^[1][7]. She is its codirector alongside him, and he puts it this way: “oggi la mia partner gestisce con me il gruppo” (today my partner manages the group with me) — Fernando Sosa, In Famiglia livestream, May 2021 ^[1][6].

His daughter, now an adult, dances in Tropical Gem today and works with him ^[4].

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SOSA STYLE, 1 and 2: what he TEACHES

The name Sosa Style comes from imitation. Around 2001-2002, Sosa notices people imitating him in social dancing. At a school where he teaches, he is asked what to call this dance, and he answers Sosa Style ^[1]. He says himself that it is a commercial name: “Y salió como un nombre comercial de algo que es una mezcla de todo.” (And it came about as a commercial name for something that is a mixture of everything.) — Fernando Sosa, TVSaborLatino, January 2019 ^[1].

For him, Sosa Style is a fusion of everything he has studied: Cuba, Puerto Rico, New York, and Los Angeles ^[1]. He even calls it a remix. In 2015, he specifies the ingredients of his mix: hip hop, brought back from his trips to New York, and rumba and afro from Cuba ^[1]. Tatiana Bonaguro also mentions a hip hop period in the company ^[7]. He says he likes studying things far removed from Salsa, such as Bollywood: “algún paso me va a servir” (some step is bound to come in useful eventually) — Fernando Sosa, Mucha Merd, September 2015 ^[1]. The root is LA style, he says, but the style has evolved: smoother, faster, more personal ^[1]. It is therefore a style he developed and named, not a synonym for LA style. He teaches Salsa Sosa Style, in On1 and On2 ^[3].

Sosa dances on 1: “soy un icono del uno y voy a mantenerlo siempre” (I am an icon of 1 and I will keep it forever) — Fernando Sosa, Anny Atehortua interview, January 2017 ^[1]. But he is not opposed to 2. In 2021, he even says he likes changing counts depending on the instrument he is listening to: “por eso a mí me gusta cambiar tiempo” (that is why I like changing counts) — Fernando Sosa, Ritmo Latino TV, July 2021 ^[1]. His dancers know how to dance on both counts, and he has already danced on 2 at Adolfo Indacochea’s request, at his congress ^[1].

In the video above, he says that twenty years earlier, break on 2 and New York style did not yet exist in Europe. People danced on 1 or on 2, and Latin American masters taught 2 using the conga and the clave. He applauds New York style, which has you count on 1 but dance on 2, and advises studying a little son and percussion before saying you dance New York ^[1].

Here are the ideas that come up most often in his interviews:

• The basic step first. He says he is obsessed with the basic step, and advises those who want to raise the level of their Salsa to raise the level of their basic first ^[1].
• Eleven required steps. At the academy, he keeps a list of eleven steps you need to know. It is, he says, the root of everything he does ^[1].
• A concept rather than a step. In class, he tries to leave students with a concept to work on at home, not just a step ^[1].
• A technique specific to Salsa. Support, weight, shoulders, waist, arms: Salsa has its own technique, distinct from dance technique, he believes ^[1]. In 2021, he recalls challenging, during a judges’ meeting at a major competition (neither the name nor the year is given), a “technique” box that only took into account legs, battements, jumps, splits, and figures. For him, that was the technique of another dance, not Salsa ^[1]. In 2026, he clarifies that he was a judge himself ^[1].
• Partner dancing and social dancing. He calls himself a defender of partner dancing. For him, social dancing is social dancing and the stage is the stage ^[1]. In October 2019, in a livestream on his channel, he sends a message: “Se perdió la esencia de la pareja” (we have lost the essence of partner dancing). In his view, free steps and soloists have taken over. Yet he likes free steps: his classes consist of half an hour of free steps and half an hour of partner dancing, he says ^[1].

In choreography, he applies simple rules. If the music already wins on its own, the step should remain easy: a step that is too difficult, diverting the audience’s emotion, is, for him, a choreographer’s mistake ^[1]. He also gives the audience time to breathe so they can applaud, following advice he heard in Puerto Rico ^[1]. He often starts from a film or an image. Una Noche en Nueva York, his favorite choreography, is, he says, like a short film with music, dance, and mime ^[1][7].

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His VALUES: passion, work, discipline, and humility

Behind all of this, passion comes first. It comes up in almost everything he says: “vita, passione e vittoria” (life, passion, and victory); “è diventato veramente la mia vita la salsa” (salsa has truly become my life) — Fernando Sosa, Azucar Radio, May 2025 ^[1]. In 2026: “But I want to tell you something for real. I love salsa.”; “for sure I follow my passion.”; “when I feel the passion, I put all in inside.” (But I want to tell you something for real: I love salsa. — Of course, I follow my passion. — When I feel the passion, I put everything inside.) — Fernando Sosa, Behind The Shines, May 2026 ^[1]. And in 2021: “quindi la passione è al primo posto, qualsiasi sia il tuo campo di successo” (so passion comes first, whatever your field of success) — Fernando Sosa, In Famiglia livestream, May 2021 ^[1].

His inner life matters just as much. He says he meditates every morning: “quel momento alla mattina di solitudine e felicità mio è sacro ormai” (that morning moment of solitude and happiness of my own is now sacred). He observes an effect of this himself: “io grazie alla meditazione sono diventato più creativo” (thanks to meditation, I have become more creative); “la metà delle mie cose sono nate nelle mie meditazioni” (half of my creations were born in my meditations) — Fernando Sosa, In Famiglia livestream, May 2021 ^[1]. He says he became vegan on September 14, 2014, the day after watching an hour-long documentary about animal exploitation, recommended to him by a bartender at Camana; today, he says, “io sono mix vegano vegetariano” (I am a mix of vegan and vegetarian) — Fernando Sosa, Palabras, 1X Produzioni, December 2024 ^[1]. He speaks about his nightlife just as frankly: “30 años que vivo la noche” (I have been living the nightlife for thirty years) and “la noche come físicamente, mentalmente” (the night eats away at you physically, mentally) — Fernando Sosa, Fernando Sosa Tropical Gem, January 2022 ^[1]. And: “hace más de 20 años que sigo una vida sana, una alimentación sana, hay mucho entrenamiento” (I have been leading a healthy life, eating a healthy diet, with a lot of training, for more than twenty years) — Fernando Sosa, Fernando Sosa Tropical Gem, March 2022 ^[1].

In his interviews, Sosa often comes back to work. He says he has achieved nothing without effort, and likes an Italian word, gavetta, which refers to learning by working your way up from the lower ranks ^[1]. When asked about his strong point, he answers in 2011: never giving up ^[1]. In 2013, he gives this rule: “per rimanere dove arrivi devi triplicare i tuoi sacrifici” (to stay where you have arrived, you have to triple your sacrifices) — Fernando Sosa, Musicnet Lugano interview, February 2013 ^[1].

Tropical Gem has strict rules: image, professional ethics, and daily training, he says in 2017 ^[1]. Tatiana Bonaguro confirms that the system has not changed for years ^[7]. The group forms a circle before and after each choreography ^[1]. He once told his group: “grazie per sopportarmi e per fare il mio scudo da così tanti anni” (thank you for putting up with me and being my shield for so many years) — Fernando Sosa, April 2011 ^[1]. And in 2017: “mis amigos son contados, mi grupo es mi familia” (my friends are few, my group is my family) — Fernando Sosa, Anny Atehortua interview, January 2017 ^[1].

He also talks about his ego. In 2010, he says, he wanted to be number one. In 2026, he explains that the ego does not disappear: it calms down ^[1]. He asks his group to give defeat and success equal importance ^[1].

He advises young people to create something of their own, without copying: something ugly but your own is better than a copy of someone else’s work, he says in 2024 ^[1]. In a short advice video on his channel in October 2019, he says that advice comes from what you have lived through. His advice: “si pensás en tu trabajo y no en el de los demás” (if you think about your own work and not other people’s), you become a better person, because time spent criticizing is time wasted — Fernando Sosa, video Consejo, October 2019 ^[1]. In a video addressed to young people in May 2022, he looks back on his beginnings in Otra Idea. He says he had only one method: training more than the others, arriving at rehearsals before everyone else and leaving after everyone else. He eventually made it into the choreography, then took leading roles in sections of the next one. His lesson: “No es en la caída que se determina el valor del artista, es en el cómo se levanta” (an artist’s worth is not determined by the fall, but by how they get back up) — Fernando Sosa, video “Reflexión para la nueva generación,” May 2022 ^[1].

He also distinguishes between two people: Fernando, who is less well known, and Sosa, the stage persona ^[1].

His motto comes down to one sentence, which he repeats in many interviews: “never stop feeling like a student and you will be a master of masters” (never stop feeling like a student and you will be a master of masters) — Fernando Sosa, StyLise Magazine, March 2021 ^[1]. He says he wrote it around 2002 ^[1].

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Studio24’s artistic INFLUENCES

Fernando Sosa’s path crosses those of artists you can find on this blog. Alberto Valdés first: he is his mentor. He introduces him to Cuban Salsa, takes him to Cuba and brings him into his group Otra Idea ^[1]. Sosa invites him to his festival in 2014 and announces his visit to the academy in October 2023 ^[1]. His biography offers further reading.

Adolfo Indacochea next. He taught at the Sosa Academy for several seasons, three according to Sosa, before opening his own academy ^[1]. Sosa hosted him in episode 3 of his interview series Picante y Diferente, in May 2023 ^[1]. The two come together on October 11, 2018 at the Camana Club, at the Que no se muera la Salsa ^[6] event, and on a panel of masters in June 2024 ^[1]. Sosa also mentions Mamboland, Adolfo’s event in Milan ^[1].

Bersy Cortez as well. At the Milano International Festival in November 2015, she feels that the dancers attending feel privileged to work with Fernando, Adolfo, Chiquito and Filippo, who started the festival with Tito Petronio ^[4][10]. In August 2018, Sosa says he has just taken a class on turns and partner work with Rodrigo Cortazar and Bersy Cortez ^[1]. In July 2023, Fernando Sosa and Bersy Cortez perform a “Salsa Show” together at the World Latin Congress in Madrid ^[10]. In May 2026, Sosa mentions Bersy Cortez, Tania Cannarsa and Chiara Tofani among others when discussing women who now have a voice in the scene ^[1].

Johnny Vazquez finally. Sosa interviews him in episode 2 of Picante y Diferente, in March 2023: Johnny says Sosa is an inspiration to him ^[1]. Tropical Gem and Johnny’s group, Imperio Azteca, collaborate in November 2003, according to the company ^[5]. Johnny Vazquez is also announced as one of the judges for the first edition of Salsanamà in 2017 ^[6].

All the profiles on the blog are collected on the page about the great names of Salsa, Mambo and Bachata.

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Learn SALSA On1 in Liège and online

At Studio24, the Tuesday Salsa On1 class is called “Sosa Style.” Xavier Colina attended workshops and a masterclass with Fernando Sosa at the Benidorm Summer Festival, where he also saw Tropical Gem’s very impressive 15th anniversary show. He also took his training through the World Mastery program.

In Liège, Salsa On1 is danced on Tuesdays: Introduction at 6:30 pm, Basics+ at 7:30 pm, Intermediate at 8:30 pm. After about a year of practice, it’s time for the Advanced level on Thursdays at 7:30 pm. Everywhere else, Studio Live offers video classes you can follow at your own pace.

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FAQ: all about FERNANDO SOSA

🌎 Who is FERNANDO SOSA — what’s the real story?

Fernando Sosa is a Salsa dancer, choreographer and teacher, born in Montevideo, living in Italy since 1993 and now based in Milan. He arrived in Italy to play soccer and discovered Salsa through the Cuban Alberto Valdés. In 2000, he co-founds Tropical Gem with Rafael González. He opens the Sosa Academy in 2008 and creates the Salsanamà competition. He left the stage in September 2024 ^[1][3][6].

🎂 How OLD is Fernando Sosa?

According to his school’s website, Fernando Sosa was born on May 19, 1977 in Montevideo, Uruguay. He is therefore 49 years old in October 2026 ^[3].

🇺🇾 Is Fernando Sosa Uruguayan or Argentine?

Uruguayan. He was born in Montevideo; he has lived in Italy since 1993 ^[3]. He has described himself as Uruguayan in many interviews since 2010 ^[1].

💎 What is TROPICAL GEM?

A professional Salsa company, founded in Milan in May 2000 by Fernando Sosa and Rafael González (on May 1, according to Sosa). Rafael González leaves in 2011, both co-founders say. Today, Tatiana Bonaguro leads the group’s day-to-day work, with Sosa as co-director; he is its co-founder and choreographer ^[1][6][7].

🏆 Is Fernando Sosa a world CHAMPION?

There is no established record of an individual title. With Tropical Gem, he earned three consecutive Mega Team victories in Las Vegas at the Ultimate Latin Dance Championship: in 2016 with Impacto, in 2017 with Full Metal Gem, then in 2018. These are team titles. In April 2004, his company reports a first-place finish at the Salsa Open in Milan: the word world comes from the company and Sosa ^[3][5][6][9].

🕺 What is SOSA STYLE?

The name Sosa gives his way of dancing around 2001-2002, when he sees people imitating him. He says the name is commercial and the style is a fusion of what he has studied: Cuba, Puerto Rico, New York and Los Angeles. He connects it in particular to LA style ^[1].

1️⃣ Does Fernando Sosa dance on 1 or on 2?

He calls himself an “icon of 1” in 2017 and teaches on 1 out of personal preference. In 2021, he explains that he likes to change counts depending on the instrument he is listening to (the conga, the cowbell, the piano). His dancers can dance on both counts, and he has danced on 2 at Adolfo Indacochea’s request. He is not opposed to 2: he pays tribute to New York style ^[1].

⚔️ What is SALSANAMÀ?

An international competition of improvised Salsa duels (One vs One), created by Sosa. Its first official edition took place from February 3 to 5, 2017 at the Camana Club in Buccinasco. Since 2022, contestants are no longer given the track list ^[1][4].

🎭 Does he still dance? Is he retired?

He left the stage as a dancer with his farewell show The Last Dance, at the Camana Club on September 13, 2024. He remains a teacher, Tropical Gem’s choreographer and the organizer of Salsanamà. Saying he is retired from Salsa would be wrong ^[1][6].

💃 Who does he dance with on stage?

His stage partner has been Tatiana Bonaguro since the late 2000s; she is also the co-director of Tropical Gem. Before her, from 2001 to 2007, he dances and competes with Alyra Lennox; in 2000, Sandy Ramos is his dance partner at the time. On September 13, 2024, The Last Dance includes a duet with Tatiana Bonaguro. In July 2023, he also performed a “Salsa Show” with Bersy Cortez at the World Latin Congress in Madrid ^{[1][6][7][10]}.

🎬 Has he directed films?

The Latin Dream (2017): he wrote the story and screenplay, plays the lead role and choreographed it; it was directed by Luis (or Louis) Medina. In Sballo per te, a film by Massimo Scalici available on Prime Video in 2026, he is the lead actor and one of the producers ^[4][9].

🏫 Where is the SOSA ACADEMY?

In Buccinasco, in the province of Milan, since 2008. The academy has four teams: Tropical Gem, the Sosa Style Dancers, T-Latin and T-Junior. The Camana Club, a nearby nightclub, opens in 2011 ^[1][3][5].

📱 Where can you FOLLOW Fernando Sosa?

On Instagram: Fernando Sosa @fernandososa_tropicalgem, Tatiana Bonaguro @tatiana_bonaguro_tropicalgem, the company @tropicalgemofficial and the school @sosa_academy_dance_school ^[11]. On the websites sosacademy.it and salsanama.eu ^[3].

🎓 Want to dance SALSA On1? Where should you start?

With the foundations — that’s where it all happens. Xavier Colina teaches Salsa On1 at Studio24 Liège. In Liège: first trial class for 10€, no reservation needed. Just starting out? Come on Tuesday at 6:30 pm for Introduction. Then Basics+ at 7:30 pm and Intermediate at 8:30 pm. On Thursdays, the Advanced level includes Salsa On1 at 7:30 pm. Practice in the evening at Puerto Rico Nights. Anywhere in the world: Studio Live — +300 HD lessons, 7-day free trial.

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Sources & Bibliography

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