Jota Benz biography: music and real-life romance

Behind the imposing physical presence and the deep voice of Jota Benz hides one of the most interesting life stories in recent Peruvian television. From being an international refugee to establishing himself as an urban singer and star of Esto es Guerra, José Luis Benzaquén also became a family man alongside former reality TV star Angie Arizaga. In 2026, his name trended nationally again because of a controversial temporary expulsion from the América Televisión reality show.

At Famosix we lay out his story with information verified in Peruvian media: his childhood of migration, his entry into television, his music career, his family life and the EEG ‘Tribunal’ incident in May 2026, without falling into rumours or speculation.

Who is Jota Benz?

José Luis Benzaquén Carpena, known professionally as Jota Benz, is a Peruvian urban music singer and reality TV star born on July 18, 1992 in Lima. He achieved fame thanks to his participation in Bienvenida la tarde, Combate and, finally, Esto es Guerra, where he became one of the most beloved and respected competitors of the new generation.

Jota Benz quick facts

Jota Benz's childhood and early years

Before the success, the lights and being Jota Benz, José Luis' life was not easy. During his childhood and adolescence he had to emigrate as a refugee alongside his mother, living in the United States and later in Canada. During those years he worked in heavy jobs such as construction and recycling in order to get by, a period he himself has recalled as formative: he learned the value of effort and the discipline he displays today in every competition.

His return to Peru came at the urging of his older brother, Gino Assereto, who already enjoyed great fame on Lima television. Although searches online often confuse his real name with that of salsa singer Josimar Fidel, the two have no family or musical connection. Jota joined Bienvenida la tarde and the public quickly connected with his charisma, his talent for rap and his powerful build, which made him a feared competitor in strength challenges.

Jota Benz's professional career

Jota Benz's career combines two fronts: competition television and urban music. His time on reality shows gave him national exposure, while his side as a singer let him build an artistic identity of his own beyond the set.

• 2015: Joins Peruvian television as part of Bienvenida la tarde (ATV), where he begins to become known for his physique, his charisma and his rap.
• 2017: Joins Combate, one of the most popular competition reality shows of the moment, where he establishes himself as an elite competitor.
• 2019: Makes the leap to Esto es Guerra (América Televisión), the most watched reality show in Peru, becoming a key piece of the Los Guerreros team.
• 2021: Begins his relationship with Angie Arizaga, with whom he stars in one of the most closely followed love stories in Peruvian showbiz.
• 2023: Shares a team with historic figures such as Patricio Parodi y Mario Irivarren, cementing himself as one of the ‘guerreros’ with the greatest prospects.
• 2024: His first child with Angie Arizaga is born; the press reported that the couple planned to move temporarily outside Peru after the baby's arrival.
• 2026: He faces the most controversial temporary expulsion of his career in the ‘Desafío 14’ season of EEG, over the shaving of his beard (detailed further down).

In parallel, Jota Benz developed his musical side as an urban singer, with tracks that mix reggaeton and rap. Although his music career did not reach the mass appeal of his television career, it allowed him to perform on stages, collaborate with other urban artists and build a personal brand that goes beyond reality shows. His deep voice and direct style have also made him a recurring guest on the Lima urban scene, where he moves with the same ease as on the competition tracks.

The nickname “Jota Benz” was born precisely from that double identity: the real-life José Luis and the media character who combines the strength of the athlete with the attitude of the urban singer. That versatility is what has let him survive the ups and downs of showbiz, which in Peru tends to be ruthless with figures who depend on a single format.

Jota Benz's music career: discography and releases

Jota Benz formally launched himself as a solo urban music artist in August 2016, after a previous stint with a band that broke up in 2020. Since then he has built a catalogue of his own with several albums: XFA (2021), Pensando en ti (2022), Tu recluso (2022), La despedida (2022), Ángel guardián (2022), Ahora (2022), Bailar conmigo (2023) y Principesa (2023).

Among his most listened-to songs, “Amor a primera vista” stands out, a collaboration with Deyvis Orozco and Corazón Serrano that passed 9.7 million plays on Spotify and became his biggest commercial hit, according to a round-up by La República. Other popular tracks in his catalogue are “Nosequé”, “Vete Pal’k”, “Bailar Contigo”, “CARETA” and “VT” (the latter with singer Atina). He has also collaborated with rapper Jota Shoy on the track “Swish” (2021) and has premiered songs directly on the set of Esto es Guerra, such as “Rapapa Pam” and “3S”.

Jota Benz has kept up a steady release pace into 2025 and 2026: he premiered “Corazón Partío (Cumbia Version)” in July 2025 and “The Block (Remix)” in January 2026, his most recent single. In interviews he has said he has dozens of songs recorded waiting to be released, defending his work against those who downplay his side as an urban artist compared with his television popularity.

Jota Benz's standout works and projects

Jota Benz's personal life

Jota Benz's great triumph off camera is his family. Since 2021 he has been in a solid relationship with the charismatic model and presenter Angie Arizaga, also a well-known figure from the reality TV world. What started as flirting inside the EEG games turned into a stable home, followed by thousands of fans on social media.

In June 2024, the Peruvian press reported that the couple would temporarily leave Peru after the birth of their first child. Since then, both share their day-to-day life as first-time parents, becoming one of the most publicized and best-loved families in national showbiz.

In 2025, Jota got people talking with a blunt message about the controversial streams that invaded Peruvian showbiz: he said he could not see himself doing ‘things that are done within 4 walls’ in front of cameras, distancing himself from the explicit broadcasts fronted by other local television figures.

Jota Benz trivia

• He was born on July 18, 1992 in Lima and turned 34 in 2026.
• He lived as a refugee in the United States and Canada during part of his adolescence.
• His older brother is Gino Assereto, also a reality TV star and singer.
• Before fame he worked in construction and recycling.
• He is the father of one child with former reality TV star Angie Arizaga.
• In 2026 he was at the centre of the EEG ‘Tribunal’ controversy by refusing to shave his beard because of image contracts.

Jota Benz in 2026

2026 was a year of ups and downs for Jota Benz. The ‘Desafío 14’ season of Esto es Guerra was marked by a major television incident: an order from the show's controversial ‘Tribunal’ demanded a radical change of image, forcing him to shave his beard live. Jota flatly refused, arguing that he had signed contractual commitments with brands that prevented him from changing his facial appearance. Faced with his refusal, he was temporarily expelled from the show amid general bewilderment.

The event caused a huge stir on social media and triggered a tense exchange of words with presenter Jazmín Pinedo, his brother Gino's former partner. Fortunately for his followers, the impasse was resolved days later and Jota made his triumphant return to the show on May 26, 2026, proving that he is still a central piece of the reality show.

Conclusion

Jota Benz's biography is the story of a young man who turned effort into success: from heavy jobs abroad to the lights of Peruvian television, the love of his life and fatherhood. His time on Esto es Guerra, his music career and his family with Angie Arizaga cement him as one of the most closely followed figures in national showbiz. He shares the cast with historic reality show figures such as Pancho Rodríguez, another of the show's most memorable captains.

Sources consulted

• Perú21: Jota Benz and Angie Arizaga will leave Peru after the birth of their baby.
• El Popular: Jota Benz and his blunt message about the controversial streams.
• Infobae: Jota Benz's return to Esto es Guerra after his expulsion.
• La República: what happened to Jota Benz's music career and what is his biggest hit.
• El Comercio: Jota Benz releases “Hater” and says he has 30 songs waiting to come out