Rosalía declares love and admiration for ex Rauw Alejandro: ‘This moment is not easy’

Rosalía has released a brief statement after she and Rauw Alejandro called off their engagement.

The “Despechá” artist spoke highly of her fellow musician in a message shared Thursday on her Instagram story and admitted that going through a breakup was “not easy.” The Spanish singer, whose legal name is Rosalia Vila Tobella, and the Puerto Rican singer, whose legal name is Raúl Alejandro Ocasio Ruiz, were together for two years and engaged for four months.

“I love, respect and admire Raul very much,” Rosalía wrote in Spanish.

“This moment is not easy, so thank you everyone for your understanding and respect.”

Despite unsubstantiated rumors that have been circulating in the media, Rosalía added that only she and Alejandro, both 30, know what they have lived through. Alejandro also issued a statement this week clarifying that their decision to part ways did not involve a “third person” or “infidelity.”

Considered one of the most powerful couples in the music industry, Rosalía and Alejandro collaborated on multiple projects — including their recent joint EP, “RR,” comprised of popular songs “Beso,” “Promesa” and “Vampiros.” In the video for “Beso,” the pair revealed that they were engaged.

A few months before they split, Alejandro joined Rosalía onstage to perform two of their three “RR” tracks at the 2023 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.

“To get feelings mixed up in business is so tricky,” Rosalía told The Times in September. “Our connection is very strong, but we’re still learning each other and building a foundation.”

Times staff writers Carlos De Loera and Tommy Calle contributed to this report.