- Colombian-American.
- Plays guitar and drums. Also learned to play ukulele the week he performed Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's "Over the Rainbow" on American Idol.
- Is the first person in his family to be born in America.
- Majored in construction science at Texas A&M University.
- Plays soccer.
- Two siblings, Michael and Jackeline (Jackie).
- Parents are René and Betsy Castro.
- Raised in Rowlett, Texas.
- Twice in 2008, his performances on American Idol prompted huge digital sales spikes and album gains for original artists. His homage to Jeff Buckey's version of "Hallelujah" prompted the Buckley download to rocket to No.1 on the Hot Digital Songs, selling 178,000 copies. A few weeks later, Castro's take on Iz Kamakawiwo'Ole's version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" sent Iz's track to No. 11 on Hot Digital Songs.
- His younger brother, Michael, auditioned in 2008 for the eighth season of American Idol.
- Hates doing interviews, claiming he has trouble with it.
- Father with a wife Mandy Mayhall of their 4 children. Daughters Madeline Emila Castro (b. August 28, 2011), Hazel Lucia Castro (b. June 3, 2015), Josephine Alma Castro (b. December 4, 2017) and a Son Canyon Rene (b. January 24, 2020).
- Performed as a drummer for the rock band Keeping Lions (formerly named Charlemagne).
- Attended Vernon Schrade Middle School.
- Graduated from Rowlett High School in 2005.
- Appeared in Cheyenne Kimball's music video "Hanging On" (2006).
- His girlfriend's name is Mandy Mayhall, a student of the University of Oklahoma.
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