Why 'Despacito' singer Luis Fonsi says his 'best year ever' was also 'heartbreaking'

Fonsi had the most watched YouTube video ever this year.

ByABC News
December 19, 2017, 10:43 AM

— -- What does it feel like to have YouTube’s most watched video ever? Just ask Luis Fonsi, the singer who’s behind the year’s breakout song and music video, “Despacito.”

“I didn't believe it,” the 39-year-old told ABC News for the two-hour special “The Year: 2017,” which airs on Dec. 19 at 9 p.m. ET. “And it just kept on growing and growing and it's still like one of the most viewed videos. I'm just so blessed, so honored.”

Fonsi was also nominated for three Grammy awards this year for his first U.S. crossover hit.

“I'm very proud that a Spanish song is nominated for song of the year and for record of the year, two huge categories,” Fonsi said. “It's been 20 years doing this and to be able to have a song that really connects with people at this level, it's really special.”

Luis Fonsi talks to media while Ricky Martin listens during the press conference supporting victims of Hurricane Maria at Luis Munoz Marin International Airport on Oct. 2, 2017, in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Gladys Vega/Getty Images FILE

And with the birth of his son, “I’ve had probably the best year of my life,” he said. But the year has also been a difficult one for his family.“On a professional level, it has been an amazing year. On a personal level, to see the devastation of my island, it's been heartbreaking. And not only Puerto Rico, but you know what happened in earthquake.htm" id="ramplink_Mexico_" target="_blank">Mexico: my brothers and sisters in Mexico with a bad earthquake,” Fonsi said. “The whole world is sort of upside down a little bit, so I can't fully celebrate everything because I know that there are a lot of people that need my help. But, on the other hand, I'm very thankful and blessed for everything that has happened with my career.”

PHOTO: Singer Luis Fonsi, fourth from left, and other celebrities gather before departing Luis Munoz Marin  International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Oct. 03, 2017.
From left, Former professional baseball player Jorge Posada and his wife Laura Posada, Former professional baseball player Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez, Singer Luis Fonsi, Former basketball player Ray Allen, Singer Nicky Jam, Former professional baseball player Carlos Arroyo, Entertainers Gloria and Emilio Estefan and Former professional baseball player Bernie Williams gather before departing Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Oct. 03, 2017.
AP FILE

The music video for “Despacito” was shot in Puerto Rico, where Fonsi and his family are from. La Perla, the Puerto Rican island shown throughout the video, was devastated earlier this year by Hurricane Maria, and many of the beautiful, colorful houses in the video’s backdrop no longer have roofs.

“People just had to move out. It's still [has] no electricity, no running water. So, on one end you're celebrating something. Then you go back, and it's all gone,” Fonsi said.

While Fonsi left Puerto Rico at age 11, many of his family members still live there. He owns a house on the island and considers Puerto Rico home.

“Still, to this day, some of my family still have no electricity. A lot of my friends have lost their jobs. So, it's a place that I love dearly, and it's starting to move forward very slowly but it still needs a lot of help,” said Fonsi.

Luis Fonsi, Ricky Martin and other Latin celebrities greet JetBlue crew members upon arrival at Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on, Oct. 2, 2017.
JetBlue via AP Images FILE

He has made it his mission to do what he can to help restore normalcy in Puerto Rico. He’s been back since the hurricane, taking planes full of goods and medicine, and doing what he can financially to give aid to his fellow Puerto Ricans.

“We have to keep on going, and it's going to take maybe over a year to get Puerto Rico back on its feet, but I'm going to be there along the way,” Fonsi said.

Fonsi will return again soon to deliver toys for the children.

“If there's one thing about us Puerto Ricans, it’s that we're happy people, and I'm sure that Christmas time -- although it's going to be tough and it's gonna be sad for a lot of people who've lost everything -- they'll figure out a way to sing and dance through it and that's something that I am proud of,” he said. “It is gonna be a tough Christmas, but we're going to be OK.”

Watch ABC News' “The Year: 2017,” which airs on Dec. 19 at 9 p.m. ET.