David Bustamante says his 14-fragrance perfume business could cover his living costs while he continues to work in music and musical theatre. During his latest appearance on El hormiguero, he said one bottle sells every 15 seconds and that more than 10 million have been sold.
The singer said the perfumes are sold at an affordable price and credited customers with keeping demand strong. He added that the business may cover his living costs, although it is not necessarily his biggest source of income after years of professional work. Bustamante said the latest fragrance is called Inédito, the same name as one of his musical albums. He named Muy mío, his first perfume, and the latest release as his personal favourites.
The comments added a commercial angle to a career usually linked to music and television. Bustamante came through the first class of Operación Triunfo and has continued to combine recording work with stage and television appearances.
His next major role will be in El Zorro. The Madrid production will let him perform only four shows a week, so he plans to spend the first three days of the week in studio sessions and working on new music.
The programme also recognised Bustamante as an Infinity guest, a status reserved for people who have appeared more than twenty times. He arrived with a new haircut and received a watch from the programme. Those details were part of the television segment, but the perfume figures became the interview's clearest business story.
ABC, Infobae and 20minutos reported Bustamante's claim that more than 10 million bottles had been sold, attributing it to his conversation with Pablo Motos. The reports included no independent sales audit or financial statements.
Bustamante also defended musical theatre performers during the broadcast. He said they must sing, dance and act, and argued that audiences sometimes undervalue the work despite its demands and popularity.
The rest of the appearance blended promotion and entertainment. Bustamante discussed learning to handle a sword for El Zorro, spoke under the effects of helium with Esperansa Grasia and Pablo Motos, imitated auditions from La voz and raced the presenter in remote-controlled cars.
His comments about the fragrances showed how closely the venture is tied to his name. He joked that the bottles fill part of the bathroom at home and said he is building a lit wall niche for them in his new house. Instead of Grammy awards, he said he would display his own perfumes.
One sale every 15 seconds would point to a sizeable operation, but the interview offered no revenue figures or sales breakdown. Bustamante's account describes a 14-fragrance range that he considers capable of covering his expenses, while music and musical theatre remain part of his working life.
Antena 3's recording of the full interview is the basic source for the statements. ABC also reports that El Zorro, created by John Cameron, is scheduled to open at Madrid's Teatro La Latina from 25 November. The story is set between Spain and Los Angeles from 1805 to 1815.
Bustamante does not present perfume as a replacement for his artistic career. He has built a second business around his name and continues to work on stage and in the studio.
