"They have shaped the kind of person I am, and the job I do, in a beautiful way."
Tell us something about yourself, who are you and what do you do for a living?
My name is Juan Diego Correa, but everyone calls me Juandi. I’m from Panama, and I am 26 years old. I currently work at the United Nations in New York.
How did you become a fan of U2, tell us how it happened?
I’m so happy to share this
So, we travel back in time to 2001…
I’m 2 years old.
I’m in the back of my dad’s car, looking at the beautiful blue sky and the clouds passing by…
He’s driving with all four windows rolled down, we’re enjoying the summer breeze and tasting the salt of the sea, and… he’s singing his heart out with the radio player at full volume:
“It’s a Beautifuuuuuul Daaaaaaaaayyyyy! Don’t Let It Get Awaaayy!”
And so am I, singing my heart out!
That’s how U2 entered my life!
BUT, I became a true fan in 2015, during another car ride with my dad.
Now, I was sitting as co-pilot, and we used YouTube to play music (crazy how times change). The Best of 1980–1990 was playing, and I heard this amazing, beautiful, beautiful melody I had never heard before… it was like being transported to another dimension. I remember it very well. It turns out this song was I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For. I fell in love with it, and this was the official beginning of my adventure with U2.
A beautiful adventure of first-time listens. I know we all, as fans, cherish those moments…
Then, in 2017, I had the privilege of seeing U2 live in Colombia during The Joshua Tree Tour.
I traveled with my dad, and he helped me fulfill this dream! I’ll always be grateful to him! He is also a fan, and it turned out he had seen U2 live during ZooTV and PopMart!
I think I’ll just time travel to share that special moment with him
When I was growing up, we used to fight a lot, and I dedicated Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own to him. I remember he cried and cherished the gift, and still does.
I admire him a lot, and I love him very much! I am thankful to have had a rock and roll father who was always there for me
We’re looking forward to seeing the new tour in Mexico in 2027 or Argentina… May good health remain!
In your opinion, what has been U2’s defining moment and why?
U2’s defining moment has not been written yet
It’s in the future!Who is your favorite band member? Has this changed over time?
I would love to give them all a big hug and thank them for everything! You can’t just pick who you love more from your family. I think they’re like part of our family because they have been there for such a long time and impacted our lives in so many ways!
I’m just thankful to them for sticking together for so long, and for bringing us so much joy in our lifetimes! When one of them passes away, I’ll be very hurt, as if I have lost a dear uncle…
When you’re forced to leave to a deserted island and you can take only one U2 album with you, which would it be?
Zooropa!
And, if the island doesn’t have a bunker that allows me to time travel, I’ll make sure to arrive in a DeLorean to travel back to 1992/1993 and see ZooTV live with my dad! It’s one of my dreams!
You are from Panama, how’s the U2 fandom in your country?
Most fans are from my parents’ generation…. BUT, people of my generation love Beautiful Day, With Or Without You, and Every Breaking Wave! Fortunately, I grew up with my dad blasting U2 in his car.
If you could slip one unreleased U2 demo onto a future reissue, what era would you raid?
Songs of Ascent era!
If I had to choose one song, it would be All My Life! I would also have said Mercy, but I am sure they reworked parts of it into Resurrection Song and Little Things, which are two of my favorite U2 songs!
What do you think about Days of Ash/Easter Lily and what is your favorite song?
I felt like a kid when Days of Ash came out! First new U2 music in 9 years!
My favorite song was The Tears of Things. It’s a masterpiece, and I put it in my Top 10 U2 songs ever.
But, since Easter Lily came out, I have not gone back to Days of Ash…
Easter Lily is on another level. I play all the songs on repeat, without skipping. It’s a beautiful work of art. I would put Resurrection Song up there with their best ever.
How different is U2 compared to other artists that you like?
They have shaped the kind of person I am, and the job I do, in a beautiful way. They have made me care about people in far-off places, to step outside of my ego and my own family and care about others I don’t know.
I have learned a lot from them. They have made me open my mind and listen with my heart. To listen with and through love, not fear.
I used to be very closed-minded and ignorant, and didn’t respect even my own family members because of their views on women’s rights, LGBT issues, etc. I also used to be very xenophobic and racist. But thanks to listening to my parents, my little sister, and especially to U2, I grew a lot as a person and realized all our prejudices are rooted in fear and a lack of love.
Today, I’m still very ignorant and I’m learning every day. But I am extremely proud of having family and friends from all faiths and religions (Muslim, Jewish, Christian, BaháΚΌí), all social backgrounds and nationalities, and I am very, very proud of the job we do at the United Nations.
Even if there are people trying to destroy what has taken years to build, I am sure we’ll all come back stronger from these very dark times we’re living in. The light always wins! Love Is Bigger!
What are your hobbies and interests away from U2, musical or otherwise?
Aside from football, I love acting, and music has always been a part of me.
My mother is an artist. Since I was a baby, she used to sing to me every day, and thanks to her I developed my love for music and singing.
As I was growing up, I tried many instruments — guitar, drums, and piano — but people say “the instrument chooses you.” They never chose me! BUT, one of my dreams is to be in a rock band! One day!
I always felt I had a singer inside of me, but I’ve never had the courage to step out and try it, even as my mother repeatedly told me I could do it!
When I arrived in New York in 2024, I decided to finally do it, so I started taking singing classes! I ended up having my first singing performance, where I sang I’ve Got You Under My Skin, with Bono on my mind.
I’ll have my third one very soon, and I am super excited because I’ll be singing Song For Someone. It’s such a beautiful song!
“If there’s a light, don’t let it go out! And this is a song… a song for someone, someone like me…”
To whoever is reading this, may light and joy follow you wherever you go!
And one last thing: Don’t give up on your dreams! Your dreams won’t give up on you! The new album is gonna be great!!!
