Enrique"Ricky" Martín Morales[a] (born December 24, 1971) is a Puerto Rican singer, songwriter and actor. He is known for his musical versatility, with hisdiscography incorporating a wide variety of many elements, such asLatin pop, dance,reggaeton,salsa, and other genres. Born inSan Juan, Martin began appearing in television commercials at age nine and began his musical career at twelve, as a member of Puerto Rican boy bandMenudo. He began his solo career in 1991 while inSony Music Mexico, gaining recognition in Latin America with the release of his first two studio albums,Ricky Martin (1991) andMe Amaras (1993), both of which were focused onballads.
Martin's third album,A Medio Vivir (1995), helped him rise to prominence in European countries. The chart-topping single "María" incorporated a mixture ofLatin music genres and became his first international hit. His international success was further solidified with his fourth album,Vuelve (1998). The album, which earned Martin his firstGrammy Award, spawned songs "Vuelve" and "La Copa de la Vida". Martin performed the latter at the41st Annual Grammy Awards. His first English album,Ricky Martin (1999) became his first USBillboard 200 number one. The lead single "Livin' la Vida Loca" topped both theBillboard Hot 100 and theUK Singles Chart. Martin's success in the late 1990s is generally seen as the beginning of the "Latin explosion". He has been credited for propelling the Latin pop music genre to mainstream recognition, paving the way for a large number of Latin artists to achieve global success.
Enrique Martín Morales was born on December 24, 1971, inSan Juan, Puerto Rico.[1][2][3] His mother, Doña Nereida Morales, is a former accountant; his father, Enrique Martín Negroni, is a former psychologist who previously worked as a regional supervisor for a Puerto Rican mental-health agency.[4][5] His parents divorced when he was two years old, and although his mother hadcustody of Martin, he could also move freely between his father's house in the middle-class suburb of University Gardens in San Juan, and his paternal grandmother's house nearby. In an interview withPeople, he told the magazine that he "never had to make decisions" about who he loved more, and he was "always happy". Martin has two older maternal half-brothers, Fernando and Ángel Fernández, two younger paternal half-brothers, Eric and Daniel Martín, and a younger paternal half-sister, Vanessa Martín.[5][6] Martin has Spanish heritage ofBasque andCanarian descent.[7] As he explained toABC, the Martins traveled fromSegovia, Spain to Puerto Rico in 1779.[7][8] He also has someCorsican origins through his paternal grandmother.[9]
Martin grew upCatholic. The people closest to him called him "Kiki" (a nickname that comes from Enrique). He began singing at age six, using wooden kitchen spoons as make-believe microphones; he often sang songs by Puerto Rican boy bandMenudo, as well as English-language rock groups such asLed Zeppelin,Journey, andREO Speedwagon. His mother's side of the family was musically inclined and his maternal grandfather was a poet. Martin later reflected on his time spent with his family as a child: "Every time I find myself in front of an audience, be it twenty people or one hundred thousand, once again I feel the energy that consumed me back at the family gatherings of my youth." He attended Colegio Sagrado Corazón, a bilingual Catholic grade school in University Gardens since fourth grade and was an "average" student there. When he was nine years old, he began appearing in television commercials for products such as soft drinks, toothpaste, and fast food restaurants, includingOrange Crush andBurger King. In a year and a half, he starred in 11 commercials.[5][9][10]
After achieving moderate fame in Puerto Rico for his appearances in television commercials, Martin auditioned for membership in Menudo. Formed in Puerto Rico in 1977, Menudo members were usually replaced when they hit 16 to keep the band "full of fresh-faced members".[11] Although the executives enjoyed his dancing and singing at his first two auditions, Martin was rejected because he was too short. By the third audition, his persistence impressed executives, and in 1984, 12-year-old Martin became a member. He replaced memberRicky Melendez at Menudo. A month after joining Menudo, he made his debut performance with the group at theLuis A. Ferré Performing Arts Center in San Juan (he had previously sung at a Menudo concert, at Ricky Melendez's last concert as a member of the band on September 16, 1984). During this performance, he inadvertently disobeyed the choreography by walking around the stage, when it was planned that he would stay still, and was chastised by the band manager after the show: "The mistake was such a big deal that from that moment on, never again did I move when I wasn't supposed to move. That was the discipline of Menudo: You either did things the way you were told or you were not part of the group." Although Martin enjoyed traveling and performing onstage with Menudo, he found the band's busy schedule and strict management exhausting, and later reflected that the experience "cost" him his childhood. Despite this, Martin acknowledged his "opportunity to have so many amazing experiences with so many amazing people" during his time with the group.[9]During his time with Menudo, he became a "key-member of the group" and a "fan-favorite",[11] while the band released 11 albums,[12] including theGrammy-nominatedEvolución (transl.Evolution) (1984) and their highest-charting and longest-running album on the USBillboard 200,Menudo (1985).[13][14] The former featured Martin's debut single, "Rayo de Luna" (transl. "Moonlight") and the latter included the hit single "Hold Me".[15][16] "Hold Me" became the group's first and only entry on the USBillboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at number 62.[17] It was ranked among the "100 Greatest Boy Band Songs of All Time" byBillboard,[18] the "75 Greatest Boy Band Songs of All Time" byRolling Stone,[19] and the "30 Best Boy Band Songs" byComplex.[16] Besides the musical career, Martin appeared with other members of Menudo in the Americanromantic comedy/drama television series,The Love Boat (1985),[20] and the Argentine soap opera,Por Siempre Amigos (1987).[21] He also developed an interest in philanthropy when the group becameUNICEF ambassadors.[9]
Martin (holding baby) with Menudo band members.
Finally, Martin left the band in July 1989, at age 17, hoping to rest and evaluate his career path;[9] he stayed a few extra months after his "age-mandated retirement" came around.[20] He performed his final show with the group at the same venue where he had performed his first performance as a member.[9] Martin returned to Puerto Rico to "get a break from the pressures of the group, the promotional tours, and the constant stress of work." He graduated from high school, and 13 days after turning 18, he moved to New York City to celebrate his financial independence; since he was a minor during his time with Menudo, Martin was not allowed to access his own bank accounts.[9]
I was so excited about getting back into the music world that I didn't care what the conditions were. All of the hard work and passion I had exerted was finally now starting to come to fruition, and music came back to my life powerfully and definitively.
ASony Discos executive noticed Martin's acting in the soap operas and offered him his first solo music recording contract. Eager to record his first solo album and hustled by the executive, Martin signed the contract without reading its conditions and inadvertently signed a deal in which he would only be paid one cent for each album sold. Despite viewing the contract as unfair, Martin referred to the record as "the start of something phenomenal" for him. After working "around the clock" to finish filmingAlcanzar una estrella II and recording music,[9] he released his debut solo album,Ricky Martin, on November 26, 1991.[22] The album peaked at number five on the USBillboardLatin Pop Albums chart and spent a total of 41 weeks on the list.[23] It sold over 500,000 copies worldwide,[24] was certified gold in several countries,[25] and spawned his first solo hit singles, "Fuego Contra Fuego" (transl. "Fire Against Fire"), "El Amor de Mi Vida" (transl. "The Love of My Life"), and "Dime Que Me Quieres" (transl. "Tell Me You Love Me").[22] Both "Fuego Contra Fuego" and "El Amor de Mi Vida" reached the top 10 on the USBillboardHot Latin Tracks.[26] To promote the album, Martin embarked on a successful Latin American tour, breaking box office records,[25] which the singer referred to as "an indescribable feeling, almost like coming home".[9]
During 1993, Martin suffered two harrowing incidents: he was injured in a car accident and also almost got involved in a plane crash, when a plane that flew him to San Diego, California for an interview, crashed right after dropping him off.[29]
In 1994, Martin's agent encouraged him to move to Los Angeles to act in an American sitcom calledGetting By. The show was canceled after two seasons, but soon afterward, Martin was given the role of Miguel Morez on the popular hit soap operaGeneral Hospital; Morez, a bartender and singer, known for his long and flowing hair, was a Puerto Rican citizen hiding in the United States from his lover'scriminal mastermind father and created alove triangle with his fiancé Lily Rivera and Brenda. Martin portrayed the role for two years and gained huge popularity and stardom, becoming "one of the most-talked about actors on the soap opera". Despite this, Martin felt he lacked chemistry with the rest of theGeneral Hospital cast and observed that people treated him differently because of his Puerto Rican accent. At the time, it was relatively uncommon for Latin actors to appear on American television, and people suggested that he take accent reduction classes, which he refused.[9][30][31]
In 1995, Martin refocused on his music career, and began working on his third studio album,A Medio Vivir (transl.Half Alive).[9] The album was released in September 1995,[32] and became a huge success; it sold over three million copies worldwide.[33] being certified gold in the United States,[34] platinum in France,[35] 4× platinum in Spain,[36] as well as many other certifications in Latin American countries.[25][37] It spawned several successful hits, including "Te Extraño, Te Olvido, Te Amo" (transl. "I Miss You, I Forget You, I Love You"), "María", and "Volverás" (transl. "You Will Come Back").[30] On "María", which was released as the second single from the album,[27] Martin allowed himself "to go into a veryLatin,African sound". He created a mix of different Latin music genres instead of singing a romanticballad, the style that he focused on it in his first two albums, whileLatin pop music in general was mainly made up of it at the time. Although Martin was satisfied with the track and he describes it as a song that he is "extremely proud of", the first time he played it for a record label executive, the man said: "Are you crazy? You have ruined your career! I can't believe you are showing me this. You're finished — this is going to be your last album."[9] Despite this, the track became Martin's breakthrough song and his first international hit.[38][39] It topped the charts in 20 countries,[40] and has sold over five million physical copies worldwide.[38] As a result, the song was featured in the 1999 edition ofThe Guinness Book of Records as the biggest Latin hit.[41]
In Australia, "María" spent six weeks at number one, topped the country's year-end chart in 1998, and was certified platinum.[42][43] The song also spent nine weeks at number one in France, and was certified diamond,[35] selling over 1.4 million copies there.[44] Additionally, the track reached the top 10 in the United Kingdom,[45] and became Martin's first entry on the USBillboard Hot 100 chart.[46] To promoteA Medio Vivir, he embarked on the worldwide A Medio Vivir Tour, that lasted for more than two years, through which he performed 63 shows and visited Europe, Latin America and the United States. During an interview withThe Miami Herald in 1996, Martin expressed an interest in performing onBroadway. In a few days, he received a phone call from producerRichard Jay-Alexander, and was offered the role ofMarius Pontmercy in the playLes Misérables. After the conclusion of the A Medio Vivir Tour in Latin America, Martin returned to New York to appear in the play in an eleven-week run. He greatly enjoyed the experience, calling his time in the play an "honor" and "the role of [his] life". Martin continued to tour after the conclusion of the show's run, and noted that his audiences were growing in both size and enthusiasm.[9]
From that moment on, we began to look at the album as part of a global strategy to promote Latin music worldwide, so we chose and arranged the songs with the sole mission of getting the entire globe to dance and sing in Spanish. It was a unique opportunity to introduce the charms of Latin music to the rest of the world.[9][47]
To promoteVuelve, Martin embarked on the worldwide Vuelve Tour; he performed in Asia, Australia, Europe, Mexico, South America, and the United States.[57][58] Although Latin music was not important tothe Recording Academy or the mainstream music industry at the time, Tommy Mottola, then-chief ofColumbia Records, was certain about Martin's stardom and pushed hard to have him on theGrammy Awards ceremony. Finally, on February 24, 1999, cavorting with a 15-piece band alongside and a large number of dancers and percussionists, Martin performed a bilingual version of "La Copa de La Vida" at the41st Annual Grammy Awards, which was greeted with a standing ovation and met with acclaim from music critics.[56][59] At the same night,Vuelve earned Martin his first Grammy award, forBest Latin Pop Performance.[60]
In October 1998,CNN confirmed that Martin has been working on his first English language album, following the huge success ofVuelve.[61] The album was titledRicky Martin and was released on May 11, 1999, two weeks ahead of schedule, because of the huge interest in the disc, following Martin's performance at the Grammy Awards. Tim Devin, the general manager ofTower Records stated about Martin: "He's always been one of our strongest Latin artists, but interest in him has picked up considerably since that performance."[62]Ricky Martin debuted atop the USBillboard 200 with first-week sales of 661,000 copies, becoming the largest sales week by any album in 1999.[63][64] It also broke the record as the largest first-week sales for any pop or Latin artist in history,[65] as well as any Columbia Records artist during the SoundScan era.[63] With this album, Martin became the first male Latin act in history to debut at number one on the USBillboard 200 chart.[66] It was certified 7× platinum by RIAA, denoting shipments of over seven million copies in the US and breaking the record as the best-selling album by a Latin artist in the country.[34][67] Only within three months,Ricky Martin became the best-selling album ever by a Latin artist.[68] According to different sources, the album has sold over 15 million copies or even 17 million copies worldwide.[56][69] It was nominated forBest Pop Album at the42nd Annual Grammy Awards.[60]
While the Livin' la Vida Loca Tour had not been concluded yet, Martin returned to the studio to record his sixth studio album,Sound Loaded.[9][86] The album was released on November 14, 2000.[87] It debuted at number four on theBillboard 200 with first-week sales of 318,000 copies.[86] The album has sold over seven million copies or even eight million copies worldwide, according to different sources,[51][88] being certified double platinum in the US.[34] The album featured two hit singles, "She Bangs" and "Nobody Wants to Be Lonely".[89] The former reached number one in seven countries, including Italy and Sweden, as well as the top five in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and several other countries. It was nominated forBest Male Pop Vocal Performance at the43rd Annual Grammy Awards.[60] The Spanish-language version of "She Bangs" reached the summit of the Hot Latin Tracks chart and won theLatin Grammy Award for Best Music Video at the2nd Annual Latin Grammy Awards.[90][91] "Nobody Wants to Be Lonely" was re-recorded along with American singer Christina Aguilera,[92] peaking at number one in five countries, as well as the top five in Italy, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom, among others. It was nominated forBest Pop Collaboration with Vocals at the44th Annual Grammy Awards.[60] The solo Spanish version, entitled "Sólo Quiero Amarte" topped the Hot Latin Tracks chart.[26] Both "She Bangs" and "Nobody Wants to Be Lonely" are certified silver in the UK.[93][94] In February 2001, Martin released a Spanish compilation album entitledLa Historia (transl.The History), which spent five weeks at number one on the Top Latin Albums chart,[53] topped the charts in Argentina and Sweden, and was certified quadruple Latin platinum in the United States.[34] Later that year it was also announced that he would star in a remake ofElvis Presley'sViva Las Vegas alongsideJennifer Lopez, but this did not eventuate.[95][96]
Martin on the red carpet for the premiere ofCold Mountain in 2003
Following the success ofRicky Martin andSound Loaded, he initially planned to release the third English-language album as his seventh studio album, which was supposed to be his first complete work in the field of songwriting. Despite Sony Music Entertainment's original plan after a two-year hiatus he decided to release a Spanish-language album: "I woke up five months ago, and I said 'We're doing an album in Spanish.' Everyone went nuts. They said, 'You don't have time; you have to release an album in English because of timing issues with your career.' And that's fine. But I told them, 'In five months, you'll have a kick-ass album' [in Spanish].[97] Martin's seventh studio album,Almas del Silencio (transl.Souls from the Silence) was released in May 2003.[98][99] It debuted atop theBillboard Top Latin Albums chart with first-week sales of 65,000 copies, according to data compiled by Nielsen SoundScan, breaking the record as the largest first-week sales for a Spanish-language album in the US. The album also debuted at number 12 onBillboard 200, tying the 2002 album,Quizás (transl.Maybe) as the chart's highest Spanish-language debut. The album also debuted at number one in "at least 13 Latin American markets" and sold over two million copies worldwide.[97][100][101]
Almas del Silencio spawned three Hot Latin Tracks chart-topper hits: "Tal Vez" (transl. "Perhaps"), "Jaleo", and "Y Todo Queda en Nada" (transl. "And Everything Ends in Nothing").[26] "Tal Vez" debuted at number one on theBillboard Hot Latin Tracks chart on the week of April 12, 2003, marking the firstnumber one debut since February 1998, and becoming the sixth song overall in the chart's history to do so.[102][103] It spent a total of 11 weeks at this position, surpassing "Livin' la Vida Loca" as Martin's longest number-one single on the chart, and was the longest-running number one of 2003.[104][105] It also topped the charts in several Latin American markets.[106] In October 2005, Martin released his third English album,Life. He commented on the album: "I was really in touch with my emotions. I think this album is very multi-layered, just like life is. It's about feeling anger. It's about feeling joy. It's about feeling uncertainty. It's about feeling. And all my emotions are part of this production".[107] To promoteLife, Martin embarked on the worldwideOne Night Only with Ricky Martin tour.[108]
2006–2012:MTV Unplugged,Música + Alma + Sexo, andEvita
In January 2011, Martin launched his ninth studio album,Música + Alma + Sexo (transl.Music + Soul + Sex).[123] The album debuted at number three on the USBillboard 200 chart, becoming the highest-charting primarily-Spanish language set sinceDreaming of You (1995) by American singerSelena.[124] It holds the record as the highest-charting Latin album of the 2010s,[125] and represents the highest-ever chart debut on theBillboard 200 for a Sony Music Latin release.[126]Música + Alma + Sexo also peaked at number one in Argentina and Venezuela, as well asBillboard's Top Latin Albums.[53][127][128] Its lead single, "Lo Mejor de Mi Vida Eres Tú" (English: "The Best Thing About Me Is You") reached number one on the USBillboard Hot Latin Songs chart and was nominated for Record of the Year,Song of the Year, and Best Short Form Music Video at the12th Annual Latin Grammy Awards.[26][129] To promote the album, Martin embarked on theMúsica + Alma + Sexo World Tour in 2011.[130] In February 2012, he appeared as Spanish teacherDavid Martinez on the twelfth episode of thethird season of the American musical television seriesGlee, "The Spanish Teacher".[131][132][133] Martin starred asChé in the Broadway revival of the musicalEvita from March 2012 to January 2013. The show became a hit, breaking the theatre's box-office sales record after only six performances. Since then, it broke its own record six times and was nominated forBest Revival of a Musical at the66th Tony Awards. The show's soundtrack album debuted at number one onBillboard's cast album chart.[133][134][135]
2013–2018:The Voice,A Quien Quiera Escuchar, andThe Assassination of Gianni Versace
As a child, Martin used to sing songs by Menudo and rock bands such asLed Zeppelin,Journey, andREO Speedwagon, which were what his "older siblings were listening to at the time". While Martin and his brothers spent their time listening to classic rock, their mother would interrupt them to make them listen to Latin music. She brought him CDs ofFania All-Stars,Celia Cruz,El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, andGilberto Santa Rosa that slowly made him appreciate the richness of Puerto Rican culture. Also, she once took them to a Fania All-Stars concert, which Martin is "beyond grateful" for. He expresses that thanks to her mother, those influences had a "profound effect" on his musical career.[9] Martin has also citedElvis Presley,the Beatles,Michael Jackson, andMadonna for teaching him "the beauty of pop".[195] He stated about Madonna: "I was very influenced by her and her music. I know every choreography of Madonna."[196] Additionally, he mentionsCarlos Santana,José Feliciano, Celia Cruz, andGloria Estefan as the artists who paved the way for him,[197] naming Feliciano as one of the people who inspired him when he was a teenager: "I was always fascinated with his music."[196] In addition to the musical influences, Martin is inspired byDavid Bowie's "ambiguous sexuality".[198] While growing up, he used to ask himself if he wanted to be like the openly gay singerElton John or he just liked him, admiring his music, colors, and wigs.[199] He has also citedBarbra Streisand as an entertainer he wants to be like: "I want to be an entertainer, not just a singer."[200]
Considered to be a versatile artist,[201][202] Martin describes his music asLatin pop, saying: "When you say 'Latin pop', the spectrum is so broad, It's inevitable to not be influenced by everything that's happening in the industry, but always keeping your identity firm by knowing who you are."[197] He has also described his music as fusion, while noting that he does not "ride the waves that are in fashion at the moment".[203][204] Martin sings in Spanish, English, Portuguese, Italian, and French.[205] About his lyrics, Martin has emphasized that although his music will always make the listener dance, it does not mean his lyrics "have to be meaningless" and he sings about love and heartbreak, as well as "things that are good for a society", such as "freedom, freedom of expression, and social justice".[198][204] He has also declared that as a Latino, he is not afraid of sexuality and sings about sexuality and sensuality, bringing his culture with him onstage.[206]
Martin possesses adramatic tenorvocal range.[207] Peter Gilstrap fromVariety commented that his "powerful voice" is "capable of belt or lilt",[208] whileThe Jerusalem Post's Noa Amouyal described his voice as "soulful" and "very powerful".[209] In 1995, Enrique Lopetegui of theLos Angeles Times noted Martin's "improved vocal skills" onA Medio Vivir.[210] Also from theLos Angeles Times, Ernesto Lechner later praised his vocal for being "charismatic enough to handle both ballads and up-tempo tunes".[211] Similarly,Billboard'sChuck Taylor expressed "She's All I Ever Had" boasts "a versatility that contrasts nicely" with Martin's previous single, "Livin' la Vida Loca", labeling his vocal on the former "tender and heartfelt".[212] Steve Gerrard of theMontreal Rocks complimented "his vocal maturity" onA Quien Quiera Escuchar.[213]
Billboard labeled Martin "a video icon", and ranked him as the 79th Greatest Music Video Artist of All Time in 2020, stating: "From the moment he sashayed up to the mic in 'Livin La Vida Loca' all dressed in black, and gave us that look, the Menudo alum became the most memorable and watchable drop-dead handsome guy in pop music."[214] He has collaborated with various directors to produce his music videos, including Carlos Perez,[215]Wayne Isham,[216]Jessy Terrero,[217]Simón Brand,[218]Gustavo Garzón,[219]Nigel Dick,[220]Kacho Lopez,[221] and Memo del Bosque.[222] "Livin' la Vida Loca" was nominated forVideo of the Year at the1999 MTV Video Music Awards, making Martin the first Latin artist in history to receive a nomination in this category.[223] It won a total of five awards at the ceremony,[214][224] making it rank amongthe videos with most wins in the history of the MTV Video Music Awards.[225] The explicit sexual scenes of the music video for "She Bangs" were met with criticism from the audience; severalAmerican television stations cut the scenes when airing the video. According to theDaily Record's John Dingwall, with the visual, Martin ditched his teen idol image by transforming to a more mature one.[226] It was consequently banned in several Latin American countries, such as the Dominican Republic.[227] Martin toldMTV News that the video represented freedom rather than his sexuality.[228] The video was awarded Best Music Video at the 2nd Annual Latin Grammy Awards, Best Clip of the Year – Latin at the 2001Billboard Music Video Awards, andVideo of the Year at the13th Lo Nuestro Awards.[91][229][230]
Martin became ateen idol with his debut as a member of Menudo,[30][231][232] and a pop icon following global fame as a solo artist.[233][234][235]Metro Puerto Rico stated that he "raised the name of Puerto Rico internationally".[236]Variety described him as "Puerto Rico's arguably most famous son" in 2021.[237][238] He is ranked as the most famous Latin music artist in the United States, according toYouGov surveys in 2023.[239]
During the 2000s, Martin was known for "guarding his private life" and being "uncomfortable discussing intimate aspects of his personal life"; he used to insist on asking public to focus on his music and "steered interviewers away from his personal life".[240][241][242] However, he chose to live both his "professional and personal life", making his private life public since the early 2010s.[199][243] In 2021, he went on the cover ofPeople with the title "No More Secrets" and told the magazine that he is "a man with no secrets", stating that he was "more comfortable in his own skin than ever before".[244]
In his early life, Martin had relationships with both men and women.[9][232][249] In 2000, American broadcast journalistBarbara Walters asked Martin about his sexuality on national television: "You could stop these rumors. You could say, 'Yes I am gay or no I'm not.'" Martin, who answered with "I just don't feel like it" at the time, later revealed that her question had made him feel "violated", since he "was just not ready to come out" and was "very afraid"; he said that it resulted in "a little fakePTSD" that "still haunts him".[244]
In August 2008, Martin became a father to twin boys born viagestational surrogacy. He explained that he chose surrogacy to become a parent for being "intriguing and faster" than adoption, which was complicated and could take a long time.[250][251] In March 2010, Martin publiclycame out as gay via a message on his website, stating: "I am proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man. I am very blessed to be who I am."[252] In an interview withVanity Fair, he declared: "There was love, passion. I do not regret anything, any of the relationships I lived, they taught me a lot, both men and women."[253] Martin also toldFama!: "I know that I like both men and women, I'm against sexual labels, we are simply human beings with emotional and sexual needs. I like to enjoy sex in total freedom, so I'm open to having sex with a woman if I feel desire." Despite this, he expressed that he would not be interested in "an ongoing relationship with a woman", stating: "Men are my thing".[254][255] Martin dated Puerto Rican economist Carlos González Abella from 2010 to 2014, as his first relationship with a man after coming out as gay.[256][257]
Syrian-Swedish painterJwan Yosef shared a photo of himself and Martin on Instagram on March 30, 2016, with the caption: "Obviously we're starting a band."[258][non-primary source needed] In January 2018, Martin confirmed that he had secretly married Yosef: "I'm a husband..."[259][260] On December 31, 2018, they announced that they had welcomed a daughter.[261] In September 2019, while accepting an award at the 23rd annualHuman Rights Campaign (HRC) National Dinner, he announced that they were expecting their fourth child.[262] On October 29, 2019, he announced the birth of a son.[263] As with his twins, Martin's subsequent children were also born via surrogacy.[264] In July 2023, Martin and Yosef announced they had separated and were divorcing after six years of marriage.[265]
During an interview withPeople in 2002, Martin expressed that he believes in "love", "the power of healing", and "God", thanks to his parents.[266] The name he chose for his son Matteo means "gift from God".[267] According to his statements in a 2021 interview, he still believes in God.[268] He was raised Catholic but he said he is not "the person who would ever look down upon one religion". He expressed that he also admires and likesBuddhist philosophy.[9][269]
In March 2001, Martin purchased a 7,082 ft2 (658 m2) house inMiami Beach for $6.4 million; he sold the unit for $10.6 million in 2005.[270] In September 2004, he paid $11.9 million for an 11,000-square-foot Mediterranean-style villa in Los Angeles, which he sold in 2006 for $15 million.[271][272] In May 2005, he purchased a 9,491-square-foot house in Miami Beach for $10 million; he sold the villa for $10.6 million in 2012. In 2007, he paid $16.2 million for a mansion inGolden Beach. He sold the property in 2012 for $12.8 million, incurring a loss.[270][273] In the same year, he bought a 3,147-square-footcondominium in New York City for $5.9 million; he sold the condo for $7.1 million in 2017.[274] In 2014, he rented a 900-square-metre mansion in Sydney, which became famous as "the Bronte Wave House" and was sold for $16 million in May 2015, marking one of the most expensive properties sold in the city that year.[275][276] In December 2016, he purchased an 11,300-square-foot mansion inBeverly Hills. The estate, which is Martin's current house, has seven bedrooms and eight bathrooms with outdoor seating areas scattered throughout 33,000 square feet. It is a "private getaway in the middle of the city", located up the street fromthe Beverly Hills Hotel.[272] Martin also owns a property in Puerto Rico and a private 19.7-acre island in Brazil.[277][278] He purchased the latter for $8 million in 2008.[279]
In 2022,La Nación estimated his net worth at US$130 million.[280]
Martin's song "María (Pablo Flores Remix)", which was ranked among the "Greatest Latin Pop Songs of All Time" byRolling Stone, and "11 remixes of classic Latin hits" byBillboard, "launched the Latin and dance music crossover of the '90s", according to the latter.[38][284] Olivier Pérou fromLe Point commented that "some have even learned, thanks to him, to count to three in Spanish" following the popularity of the song.[44] "La Copa de la Vida", which has been hailed as the Best World Cup Anthem of All-Time by multiple sources,[285] became a "musical template" for World Cup anthems, and Martin's Latin and dance crossover style has been much copied in the anthems, as well as soccer chant "Ole! Ole! Ole!" in the lyrics, according toThe Hollywood Reporter.[286]
Martin is known as the pioneer in getting Latin pop music genre to mainstream recognition.[287] Following his performance of "The Cup of Life" at the Grammys, and the success of "Livin' la Vida Loca" andRicky Martin (1999), he opened the gates for many Latin artists such as Jennifer Lopez,Shakira, Christina Aguilera,Marc Anthony,Santana, and Enrique Iglesias who released their crossover albums and followed him onto the top of the charts.[288][289][290] His performance of "The Cup of Life" at the Grammys not only changed the course of his career, but also altered how people regard Latin music in America.[56] It has been known as a game-changer for Latin music worldwide, that effectively ushered in the "Latin explosion". Then-United Talent Agency head Rob Prinz described the rendition as "the single biggest game changing moment for any artist in the history of the Grammys".[59] According toBillboard, it has been cited as the beginning of the "Latin Pop invasion", which powerfully affected the US mainstream.[291] According toEntertainment Tonight, "Livin' la Vida Loca" paved the way for a large number of other Latin artists,[73] and is "credited as the song that helped other Latin artists break through to English-speaking markets".[292] According toThe Independent, the single is "widely regarded as the song that began the first Latin pop explosion."[293]
In July 2019, SOMOS Productions,Endemol Shine Boomdog, and Piñolywood Studios announced the production of abiographicalweb television series aboutMenudo, titledSubete a Mi Moto.[294] Consisting of 15 episodes of 60 minutes each, the series premiered onAmazon Prime Video on October 9, 2020, in Mexico, Latin America, and Spain. It was filmed in Mexico and Puerto Rico, and Martin was portrayed by actors Felipe Albors and Ethan Schwartz. The series premiered in the United States on February 14, 2021, onEstrella TV.[295][296] On the review aggregation website Tomatazos, the first season has a positive score of 75%. The website's critical consensus summary states, "A good trip to the past that recalls a band that defined the youth of a certain public, but that doesn't ignore the darkest moments in the lives of its members."[297]
Martin published his memoir,Me, on November 2, 2010. He expressed that writing the book was "one of the reasons" he decided to come out earlier that year. The book also had a Spanish edition titleYo (transl.Me), which was published simultaneously by Celebra.[298][299]Me spent several weeks at number one onthe New York Times Best Seller list.[300] Martin's first children's bookSantiago the Dreamer in Land Among the Stars was published by Celebra and illustrated by Patricia Castelao in November 2013 for ages between five and nine. Its Spanish-language edition,Santiago El Soñador en Entre Las Estrellas, was published simultaneously. Martin expressed that the book was inspired by his "personal life, with fantasy added to it", as well as "a lot ofcartoons".[301][302]
On January 20, 2001, during thefirst inauguration ofGeorge W. Bush, Martin performed "The Cup of Life" and danced with him.[308][309] Martin's view of Bush changed over theIraq War, as expressed in his declaration toBBC News that he will "always condemn war and those who promulgate it".[310] At the 2010Billboard Latin Music Awards, Martin expressed his disagreement with theArizona SB 1070 bill, a proposed law that would have required police officers to request documents from individuals whom they suspected to be illegal immigrants.[311] Martin has supported Democratic presidential candidates Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Joe Biden. In May 2021, Martin demonstrated his support for theNi una menos movement, condemning femicides andviolence against women in Puerto Rico, and calling on authorities to protect women.[312]
As a gay man, Martin actively supportsLGBT rights worldwide since his coming out in 2010.[314] Even before coming out, he was noted by the mainstream media for being popular among gay men and having a large gay fan base. He also went on the cover of the AmericanLGBTQ-interest magazineThe Advocate in July 1999.[315][316][317] Despite this, he admitted that he felt homosexuality was evil since he was raised as a Catholic and targeted his anger toward others, especially gay men: "I was very angry, very rebellious. I used to look at gay men and think, 'I'm not like that, I don't want to be like that, that's not me.' I was ashamed." He added that he "had internalizedhomophobia" back then.[314][318] He is currently considered to be a gay icon,[319] withPinkNews labeling him "a strong advocate of LGBT rights" who "expressed support for equal marriage" since coming out.[318]
As the first mainstream Latin music artist to come out,[320] Martin's coming out was a game-changer for "Latin Pride".Billboard's Lucas Villa stated: "With Martin's announcement, gay artists, who had long kept their sexual identities a secret, finally had a beacon of hope. If Martin could come out with his career unscathed, there was hope for other artists in Latin music to start doing the same." He added that since then, "a growing number of Latin artists have either come out after years in the spotlight, or many have simply started their careers by embracing their gay identities".[321]Suzy Exposito fromRolling Stone argued that with risking his career and coming out, Martin "set the scene forBad Bunny to be free in many ways that, during his own breakthrough moment, he could not".[322]
In June 2019, he published an open letter slamming areligious liberty bill, saying: "As a defender of human rights and a member of the LGBTT [sic] community, I am vehemently opposed to the proposed measure imposed upon us under the guise of religious freedom, that projects us to the world as a backwards country." Puerto Rico's then-governor backed down and withdrew his support of the bill following Martin's statement.[323]
On October 11, 2007, then-mayor of Miami Beach, FloridaDavid Dermer awarded him thekey to the city of Miami Beach.[345] Puerto Rico named August 31 the "International Ricky Martin Day" in 2008.[300] TheGovernment of Spain grantedSpanish nationality to Martin in 2011, for being "recognized in different artistic facets".[346] In 2018, in recognition of "his dedication to the island and people of Puerto Rico, his philanthropic work to eliminate human trafficking across the Caribbean, and his commitment to the arts", the singer received aproclamation naming June 7 the "Ricky Martin Day" in New York City.[347] Throughout his career, Martin has sold over 70 million records making him one of the best-selling Latin music artists of all time.[348]
^Cobo, Leila (March 11, 2006)."Loca for Martin".Billboard. Vol. 118, no. 10. p. 42.Archived from the original on December 25, 2021. RetrievedNovember 10, 2013.
^"Ranking Mensual" (in Spanish).CAPIF. Archived fromthe original on May 23, 2002. RetrievedMarch 21, 2015.To view the chart position Select '2015' and 'Febrero'.
^Jankowska, Katarzyna (September 10, 2018)."Ricky Martin - Maria" (in Polish). Radio Zielona Góra.Archived from the original on August 27, 2021. RetrievedAugust 27, 2021.
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