Maluma traded the concert stage for a classroom on the latest episode of Celebrity Substitute, where he taught second graders at a Spanish Harlem elementary school in New York how to think like entrepreneurs. The singer helped the students create their own business ideas from scratch and compete in a friendly pitch competition, proving he’s just as comfortable coaching seven-year-olds as he is commanding an arena crowd.
During the episode, Maluma opened up about his own origin story. His first business? Making sandwiches at home and selling them to his high school classmates when he was just fifteen or sixteen.“I made them with love and really needed the money,”he shared with the class. The students also got a dance break to his 2018 hit“Corazón”and asked him plenty of fun questions about life as a global star.
Next up for Maluma: he’s confirmed for 2026 Billboard Latin Music Week, taking place October 19-22 in Miami Beach, where he’ll appear in the Sony Music Publishing Iconic Songwriter Q&A hosted by Billboard Co-Chief Content Officer Leila Cobo. From sandwich sales to songwriter icon status, that’s a glow-up worth celebrating. What was your first job or side hustle? Let us know in the comments.
About the Author
Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.