As a child growing up in Trenton, New Jersey, Carmelo used to play drums. He started as a member of his mother's band and then formed a band of his own during his teenage years. At around the age of 20, Domenic moved to California independently.

His evangelistic career began when he attended an Andraé Crouch concert. It was at that moment that he became a born-again Christian. In 1980, he released an album titled God's Not Finished with Me. The following year, Bill Gaither invited him to tour. Between 1987 and 1989, he was named Charisma Magazine's Readers' Choice for Favorite Male Vocalist. In 1990 and 1992, Billboard recognized Carmelo's influence on Christian music by naming him the Contemporary Christian Artist of the Year. In addition, Carmelo holds the record for the biggest attendance at a Christian musical performance.

Marriage,wife and age

In 2008, many sources accused him of having numerous illicit affairs. Rumors of a romantic love triangle between Mario Murillo, Carmelo, and another woman named Oksana circulated for about two years, and there were even speculations that he was having a sexual relationship while in the ministry. His devoted fans refused to accept that Carmelo would have a relationship outside of marriage.

However, no woman ever came forward to take responsibility, and the only rumored affair with any real truth was speculation that he was in a relationship with Patricia Manterola while he was married to Rosa Licciardello. Patricia discussed infidelity on Oprah, claiming that in Mexico, if a man proves that his wife pushed him into adultery by not meeting his needs, she loses her alimony rights. This sparked a public outcry, as people speculated that she was referring to Rosa and blaming her for Carmelo's behavior and adultery. Almost immediately after the interview, Patricia's fame skyrocketed.

Some say that Carmelo did not initially want to get involved with her, but Patricia tried to attract him whenever she got the chance. When she could not seduce him, she falsely announced that Carmelo was her boyfriend in order to cause controversy and disrupt his marriage with Rosa. Carmelo did not make any comments that would suggest he wanted a divorce from Rosa, but some evidence suggests he had a relationship with Patricia in the midst of the Champion film. A source claimed that he only married Rosa when he had a relationship with Patricia because Carmelo wanted to show that he was happily married and a devoted husband.