Paco Zazueta is a Mexican singer and businessman who is also known as the husband of actress Melissa Barrera. Born on January 22, 1987, he is 39 years old as of September 2026. His entertainment career began attracting attention through the Mexican singing competition La Academia, where he met his future wife in 2011.
Their relationship is one part of a story that also includes solo recordings, musical collaborations and a family business. Listeners discovering him through Barrera may also recognize the name Xavier Zazueta, which he uses for his music. From his beginnings in Sonora to the recordings that followed his television debut, here is a closer look at his background, career and marriage.
Paco Zazueta Age and Background
Zazueta was born in Ciudad Obregón, a city in the northern Mexican state of Sonora. He celebrates his birthday on January 22 and turned 39 in 2026. His Mexican roots are central to his musical identity, particularly his connection to regional Mexican music.
He is known professionally by both Paco Zazueta and Xavier Zazueta. This distinction is useful when exploring his recordings: older releases appear under Paco, while later projects can be found under Xavier. Someone searching only one name may miss a substantial part of his catalog.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Xavier Zazueta |
| Date of birth | January 22, 1987 |
| Age | 39 as of September 2026 |
| Birthplace | Ciudad Obregón, Sonora, Mexico |
| Nationality | Mexican |
| Occupations | Singer and businessman |
| Television appearance | La Academia, 2011 |
| Wife | Melissa Barrera |
| Marriage year | 2019 |
How His Music Career Developed
His appearance on La Academia
Zazueta appeared on La Academia in 2011. The Mexican reality competition gave aspiring singers an opportunity to perform for a television audience and develop their skills through an intensive musical environment.
The program marked an important early stage in his public career. It also placed him alongside other emerging performers, including Barrera. Their shared starting point helps explain why music has remained part of their relationship even as their professional paths developed differently.
His debut album and early songs
In 2012, he released the self-titled album Paco Zazueta. Its track list includes “Sentirme Vivo,” “Te Lo Pido por Favor,” “Para Amarnos Más” and “No Me Puedo Escapar de Ti,” featuring Melissa Barrera.
That duet is a particularly interesting introduction to his work because it brings together two performers who had met through a singing competition. It also offers a chance to hear Barrera as a recording artist alongside him.
For listeners beginning with his early catalog, these tracks provide a useful starting point:
- “Sentirme Vivo” — a recording from his self-titled album.
- “No Me Puedo Escapar de Ti” — his duet with Melissa Barrera.
- “Te Lo Pido por Favor” — another selection from the 2012 release.
Later releases as Xavier Zazueta

His recording career continued under the name Xavier Zazueta. The 2022 album Disfraz de Amigo is part of this later chapter, alongside releases such as “Salud Y Pa’ Delante,” “Querer A Mi Estilo” and “Al Que Pregunte Por Mí.”
These recordings give a fuller picture of his work beyond his first television appearance. His artistic biography also includes time with the norteño group Norte, reflecting his connection to the musical traditions of northern Mexico.
Exploring both artist names makes it easier to follow this progression. The early album introduces his solo work, while the Xavier releases show where his musical interests led afterward.
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His Marriage to Melissa Barrera
How the couple met
Zazueta and Barrera met while competing on La Academia in 2011. During the show, they performed “Cuando Me Enamoro,” a song associated with Enrique Iglesias. The title translates to “When I Fall in Love,” making the performance a memorable detail in their shared history.
They began dating in September of that year. Their relationship therefore started well before Barrera became familiar to international film audiences through projects such as In the Heights and Scream.
Engagement and wedding
The couple announced their engagement in June 2017 and married in February 2019. Several years separated their first meeting from their wedding, with their relationship developing alongside their individual careers.
Their milestones can be followed through a simple timeline:
| Year | Relationship milestone |
|---|---|
| 2011 | Met on La Academia and began dating |
| 2017 | Announced their engagement |
| 2019 | Married in February |
Barrera’s acting career brought greater international attention to their relationship. However, their early performances together show that their connection began within a shared musical world.
Their story also includes a recorded collaboration, giving fans something more personal to explore than photographs from public appearances. Hearing their duet offers a glimpse of the creative connection that accompanied the beginning of their relationship.
Does Melissa Barrera Have Kids with Paco Zazueta?
Melissa Barrera and Paco Zazueta have kept much of their family life private. They have not publicly announced having children together.
His Business Life Beyond Music

Alongside his entertainment work, Zazueta has been involved in his family’s meat business, Carnes Zazueta. This part of his working life connects him to a commercial activity outside recording studios and television.
His background combines two distinct kinds of work: performing for audiences and participating in a family enterprise. Describing him as a singer and businessman reflects both sides of that experience.
His business involvement should not be confused with a public account of his personal finances. The more useful picture of his career comes from the work itself: his recordings, television experience and connection to the family company.
FAQ’s
Q1. How old is Paco Zazueta?
He is 39 years old as of September 2026. He was born on January 22, 1987.
Q2. Are Paco Zazueta and Xavier Zazueta the same person?
Yes. He is known by both names, with early music appearing under Paco Zazueta and later releases under Xavier Zazueta.
Q3. Where is he from?
He is from Ciudad Obregón in Sonora, Mexico.
Q4. How did he meet Melissa Barrera?
They met as contestants on the Mexican singing competition La Academia in 2011 and began dating that September.
Q5. What music has he released?
His catalog includes the 2012 album Paco Zazueta and the 2022 album Disfraz de Amigo. He also recorded “No Me Puedo Escapar de Ti” with Melissa Barrera.
Conclusion
Paco Zazueta’s life brings together Mexican music, family business and a relationship that began on a television singing competition. His marriage to Melissa Barrera draws attention, while his recordings offer a fuller introduction to his own career. To discover that side of his story, start with his early duet with Barrera and then explore his releases as Xavier Zazueta.
