Marc Anthony recently made headlines after gifting his 21-year-old son, Ryan Muñiz, his first car. While the moment should have been a heartwarming father-son milestone, some critics online had opinions about the choice of vehicle—a white Toyota Camry Hybrid valued at around $28,400. Apparently, some expected something flashier for the son of a global superstar. But Ryan's mom, Dayanara Torres, had the perfect response to all the chatter.
During a recent episode of "La Mesa Caliente" (Telemundo), host Giselle Blondet shared that she had spoken to Dayanara about the situation. And in true Dayanara fashion, her take was full of class and perspective.
"She and her family are very humble, with big hearts. A family with values and principles," Giselle said. According to her, Dayanara didn't ask Ryan if he had specifically requested that car from his dad, but she's sure he would have told Marc, "Whatever you want, Dad."
More importantly, Ryan wasn't concerned with what people thought of his new ride. "She told me that Ryan came home so excited about his car, so grateful, that he had his mom hop in, and they went for a drive," Giselle recounted.
Marc Anthony's Friend Shuts Down the Haters
Radio host Enrique Santos, a close friend of Marc Anthony, also weighed in on the topic. He emphasized that Ryan isn't one for the spotlight and lives a very private, down-to-earth life.
"Ryan is super humble, very grateful, a really simple guy, not complicated at all," Enrique shared. He also confirmed that the Toyota Camry Hybrid wasn't some random choice—it was Ryan's dream car. "Marc personally told me that this has always been Ryan's dream car. The one he's always wanted. So, stop criticizing."
And then he dropped the mic with some real talk: "The problem isn't the car; it's some people's obsession with other people's luxury. At the end of the day, a car is for transportation, not a certificate of how much your father loves you."
Ryan Muñiz Stays Grounded Despite Famous Parents
Like his older brother Cristian, Ryan prefers to keep his life private, but his mom occasionally gives fans a glimpse into his world. He initially started college in Santa Barbara before moving to New York to study music engineering, and he's also dabbled in modeling.
On his 21st birthday, Dayanara shared a sweet tribute, calling Ryan her "beautiful little Ken doll" and expressing her pride in his passion and dedication. “Watching you grow up, becoming the sweet and caring young man that you are, and seeing you dedicate so much passion to all your talents and your studies fills me with so much pride!” she wrote, along with a touching video montage of mother-son moments.
Ryan is happy and loved, and he drives the car he actually wants. And really, what more could a parent—or a kid—ask for?