Heaven’s modern family: he's proud of mom Geneva Cruz and his 2 dads
When Heaven Arespacochaga graduated from high school last June in Los Angeles, his family was there to support him.
In the audience sat his mom, the singer and actress Geneva Cruz.
Flanking her was Heaven’s two dads: Introvoys drummer Paco Arespacochaga and Geneva’s second husband KC Montero, from whom she is now divorced.
Happily blended
The newest member of the family sat on Geneva’s lap: Heaven’s baby sister London, whose dad was her mom’s ex-fiancé.
Also around to share in his proud moment were his two Lolas: Geneva’s mom and stepdad KC’s own mother.
Call it the picture of one big, happy modern family. And Heaven clearly relishes the support from the blended ties.
His two dads
“My relationship with my mom and ‘dads’ is very solid, sturdy to say the least,” the 18-year-old tells Yahoo in an email interview.
Heaven was just a toddler when his mom and Paco broke up and Geneva went on to marry KC Montero, who helped raise Heaven like his own.
In fact, in an Instagram photo he took during Heaven’s graduation, KC wrote: “A lot of people are saying how lucky you are to have us. I think it’s the other way around. We’re lucky to have you. We’re very proud and we love you.”
How dads influenced him
“He has every right to be proud,” Heaven says of KC, “not because I've done the most spectacular things, but because he's been there for me, cameras aside. There is no doubt that more than 80% of how he goes about his day, I try to emulate.”
He’s just as precise in explaining his biological dad’s influence, especially when it comes to playing the drums, which Heaven now does with the LA-based alternative rap-rock band Mad Minute.
“My dad's influence on my drumming doesn't compare to his influence on how I approach music in general,” he says.
“I can list dozens of people that have influenced my drumming (my dad included) but my dad has always wanted me to figure that part on my own. He's never sat me down to give me drum lessons like people may think.”
Instead, Heaven points out, “My dad was teaching how to understand music and how to be a musician. It wasn't about how I was playing something; it was more, ‘How does that complement what the band is doing?’”
Mom doesn’t get enough credit
And where’s mom in all this male bonding?
“I love both dads a lot but the public never gives my mom enough credit,” he tells Yahoo.
“My mother influenced my musicality in many ways but I can sum up her influence in 3 words: Respect the swing."
He recalls growing up to the music of Chick Corea, Nat King Cole, Miles Davis, Buddy Rich, Dave Brubeck, Brian Setzer and Herbie Hancock.
The Cruz family legacy
“Though I never really got into it until my sophomore year of high school, my mom made sure jazz was at least somewhat a part of me.”
Geneva also made sure Heaven knew about the musical legacy of her side of the family, to which the actor Tirso Cruz, singer Donna Cruz and Rayver Cruz belong.
“I've heard my fair share of recordings from Joe Cruz and the Cruzettes and I can safely say that I'm not even close to being at that level yet,” he demurs.
Advice on ‘lady problems’
Geneva also gets props for her parenting.
“That is a very strong woman right there and looking back at myself throughout the years, I was a handful! She is the queen of giving me the most helpful advice to lady problems,” Heaven says.
And her guidance may account for the current state of his love life.
“I do have a girlfriend and we've been together for a year,” he admits. “She's funny, blunt, loyal, persistent, independent, strong-willed, beautiful, and can really get on my nerves at times. Then again, that's why she's my girlfriend.”
Going showbiz?
While there have been rumblings about Heaven joining local showbiz as his shirtless photos surface online, he just isn't keen at the moment.
“As of right now, pursuing showbiz isn't one of my priorities.... I want to establish stability in my life first. Some people have hinted that I could do it but I don't have any offers on the table,” he says.
Instead, Heaven has gone to...nursing school?
Safe place to land
“I am taking up Nursing because of the simple satisfaction of stability. I know I’ve (already said this), but I really am a strong believer in being sure I have a safe place to land before I prepare for takeoff,” he says.
“Nursing also gives me a chance to help people and being around what nurses see, it really makes a person appreciate the life they get to live a lot more.”
Hot, talented and grounded to boot?
Now that’s Heaven.
