Ricky Martin spent a big chunk of his life–and career–doing and saying what was expected of him. Those days are over.
By all accounts, the 49-year-old married father of four has had a hell of a run, first performing at age 12 in the boyband Menudo, rising to pop megastardom as a solo act in the ’90s, and lately, proving his acting chops are just as solid as his music.
The difference now is he seems to have nothing to hide, and Martin’s willingness to be an out and proud celebrity has already benefitted his community at large.
Take, for instance, a planned memorial and museum dedicated to the fallen victims of the Pulse massacre, which happened five years ago yesterday. Martin signed on as the spokesperson for the onePulse Foundation, the group behind the push for the memorial. He’ll do major fundraising for the ambitious project, tape video spots, and possibly narrate the exhibits.
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But while he may play the part of LGBTQ statesman quite naturally, his journey to get here wasn’t exactly easy, something he’s been increasingly willing to open up about.
Earlier this month, Martin revisited that time Barbara Walters tried outing him in an interview 21 years ago and didn’t hold back.
Speaking to People, he said he felt “violated” by the journalist’s line of questioning and that he still suffers from PTSD from the whole thing.
During the 2000 interview, Walters confronted Martin about the gossip surrounding his sexuality at the time and said he could “stop these rumors” by coming out to her right then and there.
“You could say, ‘Yes I am gay or no I’m not,’” the then-ABC anchor nudged in a transparent effort to try and make news.
To which a visibly uncomfortable Martin replied, “Barbara, for some reason, I just don’t feel like it.”
“When she dropped the question, I felt violated because I was just not ready to come out. I was very afraid,” Martin said, adding he still feels “a little PTSD with that.”
“A lot of people say, ‘What would you do differently?’ Well, maybe I would have come out in that interview,” he added. “It would’ve been great because when I came out, it just felt amazing. When it comes to my sexuality, when it comes to who I am, I want to talk about what I’m made of, about everything that I am. Because if you hide it, it’s a life-or-death situation.”
After coming out (on his own terms) in 2010, Martin has continued to pursue acting, appearing on Broadway’s Evita, and as a judge on several international iterations of The Voice.
In 2020, he appeared as a guest judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars. Also in 2020, he voiced Don Juan Diego, a sentient matador doll, in the popular animated Netflix holiday film, Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey.
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While it’s an impressive resume, he’s the first to admit there’s a possibility his openness may have a negative effect on the roles he’s offered.
“I love acting,” he told People. “I’m waiting for those scripts, for those great scripts. I can play gay, I can play straight, I can play a serial killer…I am ready. Just give it to me, man. Give it to me.”
He added: “I don’t know if I’m not getting parts because I’m gay. But if that’s the case, it’s really sad. I’m going to keep working until life is different.”
We’ll be forever grateful for that work.
Manrico Jimenez
Actually the kings of Latin pop are Reik and Camila, not Ricky Martin.
Juanito malo
y Maluma
Patrick
In my opinion & that of many others, Ricky is the king of Latin Pop. You have your opinion, we have ours. Actually, I never even heard of the two names you mentioned.
jaleoman
Your comment is ignorant and stupid AF. Reik, Camilo ????? What kind of joke is that. Reik and Camila were in diapers when Ricky was already a global star. What barriers have Reik and Camila broke ?? Perform at the Grammy like Ricky, at the World Cup? Those 2 had not achieved 10 % of Ricky have, they are not even famous worldwide or that relevant in Latin America. Lol WTF. Ricky is one of the pioneer for Latin Music among with Gloria Estefan, he took Latin Music all over the world, have sold more records, won more Grammy than any other Latin male artist.
jaleoman
Maluma ????? ?? You must be on drugs or be 16 years old kid. Maluma literally started yesterday, in 30 years if Maluma still relevant and still around that I really doubt it, he can maybe be a candidate for prince of Reggaeton because his music is not even Latin Pop, edúcate yourself you ate ignorant. Maluma can’t even sing live or dance. When Madonna released a beautiful classic album like ” Vuelve” . I will take him seriously
lord.krath
Love me some Reik. But they are not kings of Latin pop. Neither is Camila. The “king of” mantle should be viewed within the scope of their era. If we don’t specify the period, then Ricky certainly qualifies as does Alejandra Guzman, etc.
As for Ricky’s story… I’m glad for him. The one thing we can do for ourselves is live our truth. The one thing in this world we have absolute control over is our emotions and how we feel. Coming out may be easier, particularly for younger generations, but it is a long and daunting journey for others.
He really is quite lucky worse didn’t happen.
As for that Walter’s interview. Ugh. I can imagine artists like Shawn Mendez who have to constantly battle the desires and hearsay and pressure of the public and press – despite knowing his truth.
Nothing worse than someone telling you you’re something that you’re not.
MissTerri
Good luck with your Acting career, Ricky!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jim
PTSD is a serious condition that limits lives.
Ricky don’t be a media whore.
It made you uncomfortable. It was years ago. Get over it.
PoetDaddy
“Get over it”? With friends like you, Jim, other gay men don’t need enemies.
missvamp
first you say ptsd is a serious condition, then you say just get over it. are you stupid? you clearly don’t get it. ptsd is serious- ricky has it & he’s not going to “just get over it”. it’s not your place to tell him that. leave him alone. you’re not a psychiatrist, psychologist, much less his. even if you have a phd in anything medical science- you’re not his dr. so stfu & sit down.
GayEGO
Thanks for sharing your story Ricky, I hope you succeed in all of your ventures.
scotty
oooh another Sagitarius
Centrism
This fake gay man is annoying.
Hdtex
Not as annoying as subhuman garbage. Do better.
Centrism
@Hdtex Can’t refute what I said, can you? Sorry if facts hurt your feelings.
MissTerri
Tee hee hee!! You are MEAN gurl!!!!
Patrick
This authentic, & hot, gay man, is inspiring.
Cam
IT’s cute when @MissTerri creates another troll screename to say something anti-LGBTQ and then switches back to it’s other screename in the comments to back it up.
Your troll game is still sad and weak.
MissTerri
REEEEEEE!!!
lord.krath
If Ricky is fake, then that is fine by me. A handsome husband, beautiful children, a fantastic career, and a positive attitude on life would be super welcome by this fag.
You can make up shit and say someone is something they aren’t or are, but it doesn’t make it true. Also, the burden of proof rests with those who are making an assertion, not those that aren’t. You called him “fake gay” and so it’s up to you to provide facts, not those who don’t believe you. You’ve been choking on Trump’s gas a bit too long if you think that is how it works.
Centrism
@Patrick Ricky has admitted he is attracted to women and desires sex with them. He isn’t gay. Please get a brain.
jaleoman
Do you have mental issues or just incapable to think before speaking. Every single famous gay stars were married or dated women before they came out. Elton John, George Michael, etc. Ricky coming out was beautiful and he with his beautiful family has become for the last 11 years an amazing role model for the LGBT. Don’t forget bitch that Ricky is the first Latino LGBT superstar to ever come out. That has a lot of merit
Centrism
@jaleoman No, he admitted to still desiring women sexually after coming out. It was in 2016. Look it up. He’s been falsely selling himself as gay for years now.
Cam
The same old right wing troll, always defending violent anti-LGBTQ bigots, Republicans who attack our civil rights and anybody else who seeks to do us harm…
And then turns around and always attacks LGBTQ people who are out of the closet.
Again, your troll game is sad and weak.
Centrism
@Cam I’ve never voted for a Republican in my life. Please up your meds. You’re not well.
tjack47
I don’t know if he desires women and sex with them, but even if he does, there’s still a B in LGBT+.
Centrism
Yes, there is. That’s why he should say bi, not gay. He clearly thought saying gay was more lucrative to him at one point.
ShiningSex
HE’S GAY. NOTHING BI ABOUT HIM!!! HE’S A LOSER
ShiningSex
He’s annoying. I would have more respect if he came out during Barbara Walters interview where he pretty much outed himself without actually doing it. It was embarrassing. Plus his music has NOT been decent since the 90s. His english work is hideous.
rickywintour
You really don’t get tired of being an old tired pressed queen do you?