By Patrick Hedlund
DNAinfo News Editor
MANHATTAN — Pop singer Marc Anthony has been tapped to lead this Sunday’s Puerto Rican Day Parade following the withdrawal of Osvaldo Rios, who dropped out after news of his 2003 domestic violence charge led to a boycott by critics.
Anthony, who is of Puerto Rican descent and lead the parade with wife Jennifer Lopez in 2006, will take over as the event’s “international godfather.”
Rios backed out after a host of elected officials and big-name sponsors like Verizon pulled their support following the news that the 49-year-old served three months in a Puerto Rican prison for assaulting his girlfriend in 1996.
Anthony had originally intended to appear only briefly at the parade but cleared his schedule to take over the top spot, 1010Wins reported.
The Latin crooner's latest album, “Iconos,” currently ranks No. 11 on the Billboard charts.
He and Lopez also reportedly just renewed their wedding vows after six year of marriage.
The 53rd annual parade will march up Fifth Avenue between 44th and 86th streets Sunday starting at 11 a.m.
