Ricardo Vega

Ricardo Vega, originally from Santiago, Chile, is recognized as one of the world’s leading salsa dancers. His journey into dance was influenced by his grandparents, who were tango dancers. In 2009, Vega partnered with Karen Forcano, forming the duo Karen y Ricardo. Together, they developed a distinct style of ‘cabaret-style’ salsa, characterized by its integration of classic salsa with acrobatic maneuvers and intricate lifts. This distinctive approach quickly garnered international attention.

Over his career, Ricardo Vega, alongside Karen Forcano, has achieved unparalleled success in the competitive salsa circuit. The pair have secured nine Salsa World Champion titles and accumulated more world and national titles than any other salsa duo. Their victories include prestigious competitions such as the World Salsa Summit and the World Latin Dance Cup. Their expertise and unique performance style have created a high demand for their presence at salsa congresses and events across the globe, leading them to teach and perform in countries including Mexico, New Zealand, France, Australia, Spain, and Japan.

Vega’s public profile expanded significantly through television appearances. In 2017, he and Forcano auditioned for Season 12 of America’s Got Talent. Subsequently, their participation in Season 2 of World of Dance solidified their fame beyond the dance community. This period culminated in their nomination for three American Emmy Awards in 2019 for best choreographers in dance routines. In the same year, they received the award for Best TV Show Choreography at the World Choreography Awards in Los Angeles. More recently, Vega has begun to serve as a judge for international salsa competitions and has co-launched an online merchandise store with Forcano.