Héctor Zamorano, a contestant from the first generation of La Academia, died at 47 in Veracruz from a chronic illness he had suffered for three or four years. The singer also battled depression, leading to his withdrawal from public life in recent years. Former co-contestants and entertainment show hosts confirmed he passed away surrounded by his family.
Héctor Zamorano joined the first generation of La Academia in 2002, where he was the first eliminated after performing 'La vida es un carnaval' as a duet. He shared the stage with figures like Yahir, Nadia, Víctor García, and Myriam. After the reality show, he released his album Mi sabor in 2003, featuring the single 'Batido de coco' in reggae and batucada versions. He collaborated on 'La pareja ideal' with Nadia and 'Inseparables' with former co-contestants. He also appeared on Desafío de Estrellas, finishing tenth and performing songs like 'Livin' la vida loca' and 'Color esperanza'.
In 2021, Zamorano revealed on Chisme No Like an incident of harassment by producer Sergio Segura during La Academia. He recounted that Segura entered his room in underwear and offered help for a telenovela role, triggering a deep emotional crisis. 'I even thought about leaving this world,' he confessed, adding that he sought therapy and supported people with depression and suicidal thoughts.
In his final years, he lived in Veracruz with his parents and kept a low profile. In 2023, he posted on social media about his depression: 'Today marks two years with this depression that I haven't been able to beat... I've tried to pretend, to keep busy, to push through, but it seems I can't handle it.' He also wrote: 'It might not show, but I'm really trying hard not to give up.'
His last Instagram post was on May 11, 2025: 'If I don't reply, it's not personal, it's just that I'm not ready, and I don't know if I ever will be...'. When contacted by Ventaneando a year ago, he replied: 'I don't have a phone, they lent me one to respond, but I don't talk to anyone, I'm apart from everyone.' Pedro Sola recounted: 'He didn't want to talk or share... He had depression issues and refused to chat with us because he wasn't ready.'
Wendolee Ayala confirmed: 'He had a chronic problem that finally defeated him, but the important thing is not that, but that he died surrounded by his family at home in Veracruz. His mom and dad accompanied him in this process.' Estrella Veloz added that the illness started '3 or 4 years ago' and required hospitalization: 'When you're not feeling well, you don't want to share anything. He hadn't responded to me for a long time.' He will be laid to rest in Veracruz.
