Thirty-five years of hard work in entertainment has culminated in a fulfilling life. When I made it to performing arts high school I made a promise to myself to write everything down. I began my journal when I was 15 years old. Now I am 54 years old. Lugo an autobiography is a record of creative real life stories of growing up in the industry where I was not supposed to excel. The fulfilled life comes with many challenges. My most difficult challenge is my bipolar illness. We all know that many famous performing artists and icons were and are bipolar. Marilyn Monroe and Marlon Brando were both bipolar. And the list goes on. But the truth about bipolar illness is that it is very painful, difficult, misunderstood, stigmatized and often misdiagnosed. Lugo an autobiography goes deep to explain how debilitating an illness this can be and goes on to show that under the right medical care one can lead a productive and successful career and life. This book also delves into the complex workings of the creative artist. It has examples of movie treatments, ideas, poetry, lyrics and every day musings. It also deals with serious issues regarding sexuality, sexual identity, relationships and family. Religion is also a very prominent topic in this book since I was raised very Christian where being a Performing Artist was frowned upon. This book is a journal of my experience growing up and fulfilling my life as a singer, songwriter, performer as well as expressing myself and defining myself in my own image. It is a difficult account of the maze that is my mind and the blessing that is my life. No detail is spared in bringing you the story of my life. I am an entertainer. I am an artist which came up from a place where I was not supposed to come from. No one gave me the permission to be me, to the contrary I was supposed to die, I was supposed to be in jail, I was supposed to fail yet here I am. I beat the odds. Yes, I have been successful because I have also failed many, many times and I am still fighting. I am fighting for my art. I am fighting for my life. I am fighting for my sanity. I am fighting for my family. I am fighting for my love and same sex identity. This is a record of my scorecard. It really does not matter how many times you're Knocked down what matters is how many times you get up is serious talk and not a metaphor. Inside you will find insight into what it means to be Young gifted and Puerto Rican. Every obstacle, every naysayer, every racist, every cynic and every judge could not out outweigh my passion or my lust for art. I overcame and crushed them all and continued on my path. Fortunately, my talent was recognized, applauded and celebrated by both visionaries and the public. I am very grateful for all of my artistic opportunities and the friends who lifted me up. I am very glad that I have been able to share my art with the world and make a living from it. I am very blessed. And this book shows you how I did it, And how I am doing it because I feel that I have not even scratched the surface. I feel as if my career is only beginning. This book will help all artists that are dealing with mental illness in their careers and in their daily life and will help those who feel marginalized, alone and glossed over in their effort to become someone when they are expected to be no one.
