Ricky Martin

Ricky Martin
Ricky Martin in store appearance at Westfield Parramatta, Sydney, Australia 2013
Born	Enrique Martín Morales (1971-12-24) 24 December 1971 San Juan, Puerto Rico
Thrift	Sangster-sangwriter muisicker actor author
Years active	1984–present
Hauf-marrae(s)	Jwan Yosef
Bairns	4
Muisical career
Genres	Pop Latin pop dance-pop reggae urban pop
Instruments	Vocals
Labels	Columbia Sony Music Latin Sony Music Mexico
Associate acts	Menudo, Christina Aguilera, Draco Rosa, Ednita Nazario, Luciano Pavarotti, Nina Moric
Wabsteid	rickymartinmusic.com

Enrique Martín Morales (born 24 Dizember 1971), commonly kent as Ricky Martin, is a Puerto Rican pop muisicker, actor an author. Grammy has cried him The King of Latin Pop. Martin began his career at age twal wi the aw-boy pop group Menudo. Efter five years wi the group, he released several Spainyie-leid solo albums throuoot the 1990s. He actit on stage and on TV in Mexico an aw, becomin a modest starn in the kintra. In 1994 he starred on the American TV soap opera General Hospital, playin a Puerto Rican sangster.

In late 1999, efter releasin several albums in Spainyie, Martin performit "The Cup of Life" at the 41st Grammy Awards show, which became a catalyst in bringin Latin pop tae the forefront o the U.S. muisic scene. Follaein its success, Martin released "Livin' la Vida Loca" which helpit him obtain enormous success warldwide an is generally seen as the sang that began the Latin pop explosion o 1999 an made the transeetion easier for ither Spainyie-speakin airtists tae muive intae the Inglis-speakin mercat. Syne its release, the sang haes selt ower 8 million copies, makkin it ane o the best sellin singles o aw time. His first Inglis-leid album (titled Ricky Martin an aw), haes sauld 22 million copies an is ane of the best sellin albums o aw time. His ither studio albums include: Me Amarás (1993), A Medio Vivir (1995), Vuelve (1998), Sound Loaded (2000), Almas del Silencio (2003), Life (2005), Música + Alma + Sexo (2011), A Quien Quiera Escuchar (2015), an Movimiento (2020).

He haes sauld ower 85 million albums, an haes haed 95 platinum records, sax #1 Billboard albums, 11 Nummer 1 hit sangs, twa American Music Awards, sax Grammy Awards, aicht World Music Awards, ten Billboard Music Awards, aicht MTV Music Video Awards, wi concerts in mair nor 60 kintras athort the globe.

Life an career

Early life: 1971–83

Martin wis born on 24 Dizember 1971, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the son o Nereida Morales, an accoontant, an Enrique Martín Negroni, a psychologist. His parents divorcit when he wis twa year auld and Martin spent hintle o his childhood shifting atween his faither's home in the suburb of Varsity Gardens and his paternal grandmither's hoose nearby. Martin haes twa maternal hauf-brithers, Fernando and Ángel Fernández, an twa paternal hauf-brithers, Eric an Daniel Martín, an a paternal hauf-sister Vanessa Martín. Martin haes Catalan (Spainyie) ancestry throu his maternal grandmither who wis born in Spain as well as Corsican ancestry throu his paternal grandmither.

Martin grew up in a Roman Catholic hame an wis a altar boy throuoot his bairnheid. He began singin at age sax, uisin firthen kitchen spoons as pretend microphones; he aften interpretit sangs bi Menudo as well as Inglis-leid rock groups sic as Led Zeppelin, Journey, an REO Speedwagon. His mither's side o the faimily wis muisically inclined and his maternal grandfaither wis a poet, which inspired young Martin tae write sangs. Martin later reflectit on his time spent wi his faimily as a bairn: "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." Efter discoverin a newspaper advertisement anent audeetions for commercials wi his faither, nine-year-auld Martin began appearin in Puerto Rican telly commercials for products siclik saft drinks, toothpaste, an fast-fuid restaurants. In a year an a hauf, he starred in eleiven commercials.

Menudo: 1984–89

Efter achievin a smaw amoont o fame in Puerto Rico for his wirk in telly commercials, Martin auditioned for membership in Puerto Rican boy baund Menudo. Awtho the executives enjoyed his dancin an singin at his first twa audeetions, Martin wis rejectit acause he wis too short. Bi the third audeetion, his persistence impressed executives an in 1984, thirteen-year-auld Martin became a member. A month efter joinin Menudo, he made his debut performance wi the group at the Luis A. Ferré Performing Arts Center in San Juan. Durin this performance, he inadvertently disobeyed the choreografie bi walkin aroond the stage when it wis planned that he wad stay still, an wis chastisit bi the baund manager efter the show: "The mistake wis such a big deal that frae that moment on, niver again did A muive when A wisna supposed tae muive...That wis the discipline o Menudo: You either did things the wey you wur tauld or you wur no pairt o the group." The sang "Asignatura Pendiente" frae Almas del Silencio (2003) wis inspired bi the first time Martin left Puerto Rico tae tour wi Menudo.

Awtho Martin enjoyed travelin an performin onstage wi Menudo, he foond the baund's busy schedule an strict managin tae be exhaustin an later reflectit that the experience "cost" him his bairnheid. He considered leavin the group while on tour in Brazil, but ultimately decidit tae stay oot o fear o media backlash an bein sued for breach o contract. Martin began strugglin wi his sexuality an aw, notin the stark contrast atween his status as a sex seembol an his awn emotions. Despite this, Martin acknawledgit his "opportunity tae hae so mony amazin experiences wi so mony amazin fowk" durin his time wi the group. He developit an interest in filanthropy when the group became UNICEF ambassadors, aften wirkin wi impoverished childer in third warld kintras. His experiences as a ambassador affectit him greatly an inspired him tae continue wirkin with charities later in life. Bi 1987, Menudo's record sales began tae decline an the group chyngit its image, adoptin a edgier leuk an performin mair rock-influencit sangs. The baund released the album Somos Los Hijos del Rock in Spainyie, an tae appeal tae the Menudo's Filipino fanbase, the group released In Action, recordin sangs in baith Inglis an Tagalog.

Efter recordin eleiven albums wi the group, Martin left Menudo in Julie 1989 at age seiventeen, howpin tae rest an evaluate his career path. He performed his feenal show wi the group at the same venue as his first performance as a member. Martin returned tae Puerto Rico tae graduate frae heich schuil, an thirteen days efter turnin aichteen, he muivit tae New York Ceety tae celebrate his financial unthirldom; syne he wis a minor durin his time as a member o Menudo, Martin wis no allouit tae access his awn bank accoonts. He wis acceptit intae New York Varsity's Tisch School of the Arts, but months afore clesses began, Martin droppit oot an muivit tae Mexico Ceety tae perform in the play Mama Ama el Rock.

Actin an first twa solo albums: 1991–1994

While he wis performin in onstage in Mama Ama el Rock, a producer in the audience teuk notice o Martin's actin an affered him a role in the Mexican telenovela Alcanzar una estrella efter the show. He jynt the cast for the seicont series o the show an aw, titled Alcanzar una estrella II. A film based on the TV series entitled Más que alcanzar una estrella wis producit an aw in which Martin starred an earned a El Heraldo Award in 1993 for his role. The show centred aroond a feectional muisical group cried Muñecos de Papel in which Martin played Pablo Loredo, ane o the sax members; the group toured several ceeties in Mexico an recordit twa albums. Awtho he haed howpit tae tak a break frae tourin efter Menudo, Martin enjoyed the experience acause he got alang wi the ither members well.

In 1990, Martin wis signed to Sony Discos, the Sony Music Entertainment's Latin imprint. Eager tae mak his first solo album, Martin signed the contract athoot readin it an inadvertently signed a deal in which he wad anerly be awairdit ane cent o ryalties for each album sauld. Despite viewin the contract as unfair, Martin referred tae the record as "the stairt o something phenomenal" for him. Efter wirking "aroond the clock" tae feenish filmin Alcanzar una estrella II an recordin muisic, Martin released his debut solo album, the Spainyie-leid Ricky Martin, in November 1991. Ricky Martin includit the singles: "Fuego Contra Fuego" an "El Amor de Mi Vida". "Fuego Contra Fuego" wis certifee'd Gowd in Mexico, Argentinae, Puerto Rico, an the Unitit States. Tae promote the album, Martin toured throuoot Laitin Americae, which the sangster referred tae as "a indescribable feelin, amaist like comin hame."

Efter the success o Ricky Martin an its subsequent tour, Martin's record company met him wi acclaimi producer Juan Carlos Calderón on his seicon solo album, Me Amarás. Awtho Martin felt "very grateful" for the opportunity tae wirk wi Calderón, he notit, "I always felt that that record was more his than mine." Released in Mey 1993, Me Amarás features a Spainish-leid civer o the Laura Branigan sang "Self Control", titled "Que Dia Es Hoy". In his review, Alex Henderson o AllMusic wrote, "The CD isn't without its pleasures...but on the whole, Me Amarás is too glossy, too calculated, and much too contrived for its own good."

In 1994, Martin's agent encouragi him tae muive tae Los Angeles tae act in a American sitcom cried Getting By. The show wis canceled efter twa series, but suin efter, Martin wis gien the role o sangster/bartender Miguel Morez on the soap opera General Hospital. Martin felt that he lacki chemistry wi the rest o the General Hospital cast, an observit that fowk treati him differently acause o his Puerto Rican accent. At the time, it wis relatively uncommon for Hispanic fowk tae appear on American telly, an fowk suggestit that he tak accent reduction clesses, which he refused. It wis this time, housomeivver, that Martin began his first committi relationship wi a man. He "stoppit fearin his sexuality", an suin came oot tae his mither, who wis supportive o him. Housomeivver, efter the relationship endit, Martin "lockit [his] feelins even deeper inside", an began datin weemen again. He recried, "I already felt it was hard to be a Latino in Hollywood; what could have been more difficult than being Latino and gay?"

A Medio Vivir, Vuelve, an breakthrou: 1995–1998

In 1995, Martin refocused on his muisic career, an began wirk on his third album, A Medio Vivir. The first single, the ballad "Te Extraño, Te Olvido, Te Amo", wis reminiscent o his earlier wirk. Wi the sang, Martin furthered his expansion frae Laitin American an Spainyie-speakin audiences tae the European an Asie mercats. Housomeivver, the record made a shift frae his tradeetional ballad-style compositions tae a mair risky fusion o muisic centred aroond tradeetional Latin soonds an aw, epitomisit bi the sang "Maria". Taken aback bi the starkly different muisical style, record label executives felt that the sang wad ruin Martin's career. Despite this, "Maria" wis chosen as the album's seicont single, an became a breakthrou hit, reachin nummer ane in Fraunce, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Holland, Swisserland, Finland, Italy, Turkey, an the entire continent o Sooth Americae. Wi A Medio Vivir, Martin wis creditit, alang wi sangsrers Chayanne an Marc Anthony, for popularizin the muisic o Puerto Rico in Spain. The album haes sauld ower 3 million copies warldwide.

In a 1996 interview wi The Miami Herald, Martin expressed a interest in performin on Broadway. Days efter the interview wis released Martin receivit a phone caw frae producer Richard Jay-Alexander, offerin him the lead role o Marius Pontmercy in the play Les Misérables. Efter the conclusion o a warldwide tour in support o A Medio Vivir, Martin returned tae New York tae appear in the play in a eleiven-week run. He greatly enjoyed the experience, cawin his time in the play a "honor" an "the role of [his] life". Martin continued tae tour efter the conclusion o the show's run, an notit that his audiences wur growin in baith size an enthusiasm. In 1997, Martin wis invitit tae the prestigious Sanremo Muisic Festival in Sanremo, Italy. efter landin in Milan, Martin's scheduled helicopter trip tae Sanremo haed tae be postponed due tae poor wather conditions. Howpin tae arrive at the festival on time, Martin an his crew drove throu the muntainous terrain at ower 120 mile per oor. The caur then turned too quickly an flippit ower. Housomeivver, "none of us had more than a couple of scratches and bruises" an he arrivit at the festival on time bi taxi later that day. In the simmer o 1997, Martin embarkit on a tour o Spain, performin 45 shows in 36 ceeties.

While on tour, Martin returned tae the studio tae record his fowert album, Vuelve (1998). He cried the experience o tourin an recordin at the same time "brutal and incredibly intense". As he wis feenishin the record, the sangster wis contactit bi FIFA tae write a sang for the 1998 Warld Cup; Martin subsequently wrote "La Copa de la Vida" wi K. C. Porter an Draco Rosa. He performit the sang at the Warld Cup feenal in the Stade de France on 12 Julie 1998. The performance, which wis broadcast tae ower a billion viewers in 187 kintras, wis describit as a "global moment for Latin pop". "La Copa de la Vida" reached nummer ane on the chairts aroond the warld an went gowd an platinum in various kintras. It wis awairdit Pop Sang o the Year at the 1999 Lo Nuestro Awards. The title track an the ballad "Perdido Sin Tí" baith hit nummer ane on the Hot Latin Songs. Further singles includit: "La Bomba", "Por Arriba, Por Abajo" an "Corazonado". Vuelve spent twinty-sax weeks at nummer ane on the Billboard Top Latin Albums. It became Martin's first top forty album on the Billboard 200 in the Unitit States, whaur it wis certifee'd platinum bi the RIAA. The album went tae nummer ane in Spain an Norawa, an sauld ower aicht million copies warldwide.

Martin wis nominatit for his first Grammy Award for Vuelve in the category o Best Latin Pop Album, an wis beukit tae sing on the 41st Grammy Awards live TV broadcast. His acclaimit performance o "La Copa de la Vida" earned Martin a unexpectit staundin ovation an introducit him tae the mainstream American audience. Martin won the Grammy Award later that evening. His appearance spairkit naitionwide interest in Laitin Writing for Billboard on 24 Apryle 1999, Michael Paoletta notit, "In the weeks since [the performance], it seems like every record label exec has been in a heated search for the next Latin hottie."

Crossover tae Inglis: 1999–2002

Efter receivin commercial success throuoot Asie, Europe, an Latin America, Martin prepared his first Inglis album in 1999 in a attempt tae cross ower tae the Unitit States mercat. The sel-titled album, which debuted at nummer ane on the Billboard 200 an sauld 661,000 copies in its first week o release, became the maist successfu album debut on the Billboard chairts bi a Hispanic airtist. It conteenit material bi writers an producers sic as Desmond Child, Diane Warren, William Orbit, George Noriega an his langtime bairnheid friend Draco Rosa. The album featurt special guests an aw: Madonna on the Spainyie-Inglis duet "Be Careful (Cuidado con mi Corazón)" an Meja on "Private Emotion". Twa weeks efter the album's release, Martin wis featurt on the civer o Time wi the title "Latin Music Goes Pop!". Afore the album's release, Janet Jackson collaboratit wi Ricky Martin for the Liatin American version o "Ask for More", a promotional single an commercial released as pairt o a advertisin campaign for saft drink company Pepsi.

The first an maist prominent single wis "Livin' la Vida Loca", which reached nummer ane in mony kintras aroond the warld, includin the Unitit States, Unitit Kinrick, Canadae, Ireland an New Zealand. "Livin' la Vida Loca" is Ricky Martin's biggest hit. The video for "Livin 'La Vida Loca" wis directit bi Wayne Isham an starrin model Nina Moric. It wis follaeed bi "She's All I Ever Had" which peakit at nummer twa on the Billboard Hot 100. Baith tracks peakit at nummer ane on the Hot Latin Songs. "Livin' la Vida Loca" is generally seen as the sang that began the Latin pop explosion o 1999 an made the transition o ither Laitin airtists (first Jennifer Lopez an Enrique Iglesias, then later Shakira) intae the Inglis-speakin mercat easier. Ricky Martin became ane o the top-sellin albums o 1999, an wis certifee'd 7× platinum in the Unitit States, sellin ower 22 million copies warldwide. In October 1999, Martin embarkit on a vera successfu year-lang Livin' la Vida Loca Tour.

Efter this success, a new Inglis-leid album, Sound Loaded, wis released in November 2000. It debuted at nummer fower on the Billboard 200 an wis certifee'd 2× platinum bi the RIAA. "She Bangs" an "Nobody Wants to Be Lonely" (duet wi Christina Aguilera) peakit at nummer twal an thirteen on the Billboard Hot 100, respectively. Baith singles reached nummer ane on the Hot Latin Songs. Sound Loaded haes sauld ower 8 million copies warldwide.

In Februar 2001, Martin released a Spainyie-leid greatest hits album entitled La Historia, which went tae nummer ane for five weeks on the Billboard Top Latin Albums an debuted at nummer aichty-three on the Billboard 200. It toppit the chairt in Swaden for three weeks an aw. The album conteenit rewirkins o twa o his early sangs "Fuego Contra Fuego" an "El Amor de Mi Vida". In November 2001, a Inglis-leid greatest hits album, The Best of Ricky Martin wis released ootside North Americae. It conteenit twa new remixes o "Amor".

Almas del Silencio an Life: 2003–2006

Ricky Martin in 2005.

In Mey 2003, Martin released a new Spainyie-leid album Almas del Silencio. The first single, "Tal Vez", debuted at nummer ane on the Hot Latin Songs an stayed thare for eleiven weeks becomin the best performin Latin single o the year. Martin said o the new album: "I really needed to go back to focus, to my center, to the beginning. I had the need to search within, and really dig deep, and find those emotions that, because of the adrenaline and the euphoria that I lived for a couple of years, were probably sabotaged." Almas del Silencio debuted at nummer twal on the Billboard 200 an reached nummer ane on the Billboard Top Latin Albums whaur it stayed for sax weeks. The album sauld mair nor ane million copies warldwide. The next singles, "Jaleo" an "Y Todo Queda en Nada", reached nummer ane on the Hot Latin Songs. "Jaleo" toppit the chairt in Spain for fower weeks an aw.

In October 2005, Martin released his first Inglis-leid album syne 2000's Sound Loaded an the tent album o his career. Maist o the sangs on the album, cried Life, wur co-written bi Martin. He commentit 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." The album debuted at nummer sax on the Billboard 200. The first single frae the album, "I Don't Care", featurt guest appearances bi Fat Joe an Amerie. It peakit at nummer three on the Hot Dance Club Songs an nummer saxty-five on the Billboard Hot 100. Anither sang frae the album, "It's Alright" wis re-recordit as a duet wi French sangster M. Pokora. It wis successfu in French-speakin kintras, reachin nummer fower in Fraunce.

Suin efter, Martin announcit his One Night Only with Ricky Martin tour. Stairtin in Mexico Ceety, the tour premiered on 15 November 2005. Efter feenishin the first leg which includit Laitin Americae an the Unitit States, Martin performit at the 2006 Winter Olympics closin ceremony in Turin. A few days later, he annooncit the seicont leg o his warld tour, which includit Europe an Africae. The seicont leg stairtit on 21 Apryle 2006 in Manchester, UK, an endit on 3 Juin 2006 in Tel Aviv, Israel.

MTV Unplugged an a warld tour: 2006–2007

On 17 August 2006, Ricky Martin tapit his MTV Unplugged concert in Miami. It premiered on MTV Latin America, MTV Tr3s an MTV Puerto Rico in October 2006 an wis released on CD an DVD in November 2006. The album wis a creetical an commercial success. It debuted at nummer ane on the Billboard Top Latin Albums an nummer thirty-aicht on the Billboard 200. At the Latin Grammy Awards o 2008, MTV Unplugged receivit Latin Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Album an for Best Long Form Music Video. The first single, "Tu Recuerdo" which featurt La Mari o Chambao, reached nummer ane for three weeks on the Hot Latin Songs. The next single, "Pégate" peakit at nummer sax on the Hot Dance Club Songs.

On 19 Februar 2007, Martin began his warldwide Black and White Tour which stairtit wi a performance at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in Puerto Rico an concludit wi a presentation at the Madison Square Garden in New York Ceety on 14 October 2007. He recordit a duet wi Eros Ramazzotti an aw, "Non siamo soli" which toppit the Italian chairt for eleiven consecutive weeks.

Career break: 2007–2010

Efter feenishin his warldwide tour, Martin teuk a break frae the muisic industry an focused on his private life. In November 2007, Sony BMG Norte released Ricky Martin Live: Black and White Tour on CD, DVD an Blu-ray Disc. Ane year later, a Spainyie-leid greatest hits album wis released, entitled 17. It wis a summary o seiventeen years o Martin's muisical career, which includit maistly Spainyie-leid sangs.

Autobiografie, Música + Alma + Sexo an Evita: 2010–2013

Martin performin in Chicago on 19 Apryle 2011.

Ricky Martin's autobiografie, Me, wis published on 2 November 2010. The beuk became pairt o the The New York Times Best Seller list, debutin at nummer five on the Hardcover Nonfiction leet. A Spainyie-leid edeetion entitled Yo wis published simultaneously.

Martin's single, "The Best Thing About Me Is You" featurin Joss Stone premiered on 2 November 2010 an an aw peakit at nummer seiventy-fower on the Billboard Hot 100. The Spainyie version, "Lo Mejor de Mi Vida Eres Tú" toppit the Hot Latin Songs for twa weeks. It wis follaeed bi a new studio album, Música + Alma + Sexo released on 31 Januar 2011. It debuted at nummer three on the Billboard 200 an became the heichest chairtin, primarily-Spainyie leid album in the Unitit States, syne Dreaming of You bi Selena. Música + Alma + Sexo represents the heichest iver chairt debut on the Billboard 200 for a Sony Music Latin release. It spent twa weeks at nummer ane on the Billboard Top Latin Albums. On 25 Mairch 2011, Martin stairtit his Música + Alma + Sexo World Tour, which endit on 12 November 2011. The seicont single frae the album, "Más" wis released on 5 Apryle 2011 an peakit at nummer seiven on the Hot Dance Club Songs. "Frío" featurin Wisin & Yandel wis chosen as the third single.

17: Greatest Hits wis released on 11 Julie 2011 exclusively in the Unitit Kinrick. Ricky Martin wis playin Ché Guevara in the Broadway revival o the show Evita, scheduled tae begin previews on Broadway in Mairch 2012, aheid o a openin in Apryle 2012. He receivit mixed reviews.

Martin guest-starred as a Spainish teacher on the Fox TV show Glee episode "The Spanish Teacher" on 7 Februar 2012. Martin premiered his "Ricky's Lip Conditioner" lip balm in Apryle 2012 as pairt o the M.A.C Cosmetics "Ricky and Nicki for Viva Glam" campaign. The advertisements for the range paired him wi rapper Nicki Minaj. Martin's signatur is featurt on the lip balm packagin.

The Voice Australia, "Come with Me" an a Australie tour: 2013–present

In November 2012, Martin wis annoonced as a coach on The Voice Australia an debuted in the first episode o series twa, on 7 Apryle 2013.

In Apryle 2013, Martin released his Greatest Hits: Souvenir Edition album in Australie, whaur it reached nummer twa on the ARIA Singles Chart an wis certifee'd Gowd. In Juin 2013, he released a new Inglis single titled "Come With Me", which serves as the lead single frae his upcomin fowert Inglis-leid studio album. He embarkit on the 2013 Australian Tour in October 2013 an aw. In Februar 2014, he appeared wi Jennifer Lopez & Wisin on the single an video "Adrenalina" taen frae Wisin's solo album El Regreso del Sobreviviente. The album version conteens Spainyie leerics but the single wis made available in a Spanglish version an aw. In Apryle 2014, the single & video war released for "Vida", frae the FIFA compilation album One Love, One Rhythm – The 2014 FIFA World Cup Official Album. Here, the album version conteens Spanglish leerics, but the digital EP conteened versions in Spainyie & Portuguese as well as various dance remixes.

Personal life

Martin is kent as “Kiki” or “Quiquito" bi intimates. Martin wis raised Catholic, but says he is open tae aw sorts o releegious beliefs, especially the Buddhist filosofie, awtho he daes no identifee as a Buddhist. He feels that subscribin tae a specific releegion can "limit" a individual in certaint aspects, an notit in 2006, "I really like the Buddhist philosophy but that doesn’t mean that I am of the religion. If I subscribe to Buddhism, I can’t be of anything else...I am not going to follow those rules." Martin began practicin yoga efter a trip tae Thailand in 1997.

He enjoys surfin, skydivin, an vacationin in the Indie subcontinent, includin in Indie an Nepal, pairtly on accoont o his interest in yoga an Buddhism, in view o the oreegins o Buddhism an its sacred pilgrimage steids sic Bodhgaya, Sarnath an Kushinagar bein in Indie.

In November 2011, he acquired Spainyie naitionality in recognition o his airtistic talents an for haein ruits in the kintra - Martin's grandmither is Spainyie, an he awns a residence in Madrid. On 9 September 2011 he sauld his hame in Miami for $16.3 million that he haed bocht in 2007 for $16.5 million. In a public statement, written in Spainyie, Martin explicitly statit that he haes no abandoned his Puerto Rican identity: "I was born in Puerto Rico, I am a Puerto Rican, and Puerto Rico is my country. I made the request for Spanish citizenship some time ago, I was just waiting for a response. This step is part of planning for the future within a global community of whom I am part. Spain is a country with which I share many memories and strong ties born of my roots and the love they have given me since I first visited."

Martin went vegetarian in Mairch 2013.

Relationships an sexuality

In the past Martin statit he wis in luve wi Mexican TV host Rebecca de Alba, wi whom he haed a on-again aff-again relationship for ower 14 years. Thay even talkit o stairtin a faimily thegither, an at ane pynt Martin planned on proposin.

In August 2008, Martin became the faither o twin boys, Matteo an Valentino. The babies wur birthit bi a surrogate mither

Efter the success o "Livin' la Vida Loca", Martin's personal life became a subject o interest due tae his lairge gay follaein, an he wis questioned aboot his sexual orientation. In a Dizember 2000 interview wi The Mirror, Martin wis askit tae comment on the rumors surroondin his sexuality. He replee'd that "I don't think I should have to tell anyone if I am gay or not, or who I've slept with or not." On 29 Mairch 2010, Martin publicly acknawledgit his homosexuality in a post on his offeecial wabsteid statin, "I am proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man. I am very blessed to be who I am." Martin said that "these years in silence and reflection made me stronger and reminded me that acceptance has to come from within, and that this kind of truth gives me the power to conquer emotions I didn't even know existed." In 2010, prior tae Martin comin oot, Barbara Walters expressed some regret for pushin Martin in a 2000 interview tae admit if he wis gay. The Toronto Star quotit her as sayin, "When I think back on it now, I feel it was an inappropriate question."

Martin annooncit on The Oprah Winfrey Show that he wis in a relationship. In 2011, durin his acceptance speech o the Vito Russo Award at the 22nd GLAAD Media Awards, Martin publicly thankit his boyfriend, Carlos González Abella, a economist. His relationship wi Abella endit in Januar 2014 [1] Martin haes expressed support for same-sex marriage in a interview on Larry King Live an aw , an commentit on his experience o bein closetit an comin oot. "Everything about saying that I am gay feels right...", Martin statit, addin "if I’d known how good it was going to feel, I would have done it ten years ago."

Humanitarian wirk

Ricky Martin at a Puerto Rican Day annual parade in New York Ceety

Martin is the foonder o Fundación Ricky Martin (Ricky Martin Foundation), a nan-profit organisation. Amang the events promotit bi the foundation wis a simmer camp, which includit Martin's personal pairticipation.

Martin haes been honored wi mony accolades for his humanitarian efforts includin: Leadership in the Arts Award, Billboard's Spirit of Hope Award, ALMA Award, Vanguard Award, International Humanitarian Award bi the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children, Hispanic Heritage Award for his humanitarian wirk throu the Sabera Foundation in rescuin three orphan girls frae the streets o Kolkata (September 2002).

Martin haes collaboratit wi the International Organization for Migration an aw on the Llama y Vive (Call and Live), a campaign which is aimit tae facilitate prevention o human trokin, pertection o the youngest victims o bairn trokin, an prosecution o the trokers. For his wirk against human trokin, the Unitit States Depairtment o State namit Martin ane o its Heroes in Endin Modren-Day Slavery in 2005.

Its primar project is the Fowk for Children project, which aims tae eliminate trokin o childer. Tsunami Relief Fund – thegither wi Habitat for Humanity, biggin hames in Thailand

• RMF Simmer Camp
• Children 4 Children
• Haiti Relief

The Foundation wirks closely wi UNICEF an aw.

Politics

Ricky Martin (mid richt) in Congress, wi Luis Fortuño (far left), Tom Lantos (mid left) an Chris Smith (far richt).

Martin wis a heidliner in the 2001 inauguration celebration for Preses George W. Bush; he even invitit the newly electit preses tae jyne him on stage tae dance. This image wis captured bi photographers an broadcast in various media throuoot the warld. Martin referred tae it in a later sang, "Asignatura Pendiente".

Martin haes syne chyngit his poseetion on the umwhile Preses. In a concert in Puerto Rico durin the sang Asignatura Pendiente Martin thrust his middle finger disappruivinly in the air while singin the line "photo with Bush". The gestur met wi audience appruival but caused a minor controversy wi the media. Martin said in a e-mail statement sent tae the Associated Press via a spokesman: "My convictions of peace and life go beyond any government and political agenda and as long as I have a voice onstage and offstage, I will always condemn war and those who promulgate it".

Durin his appearance at the Billboard Latin Music Awards on 29 Apryle 2010, Martin expressed his disagreement wi the Arizona SB 1070 act, a law that requires polis officers tae request documents frae indwallers who thay suspect tae be illegal immigrants. He criticisit the law for "discriminating against us for the simple fact of looking Latino" an further addressed the Latino commonty bi sayin, "Long live love, long live peace...You are not alone. We are with you. Put a stop to discrimination. Put a stop to hate. Put a stop to racism."

Martin endorsed Preses Barack Obama for his reelection campaign bi hostin a fundraiser wi the Preses in New York on 21 Mey 2012. He endorsed the Preses for declarin his support for same-sex marriage.

Discografie

Main airticles: Ricky Martin discografie an Ricky Martin videografie

Wi Menudo

• Evolución (1984)
• Menudo (1985)
• Ayer Y Hoy (1985)
• A Festa Vai Começar (Portuguese) (1985)
• Viva! Bravo! (Italian) (1986)
• Refrescante (1986)
• Can't Get Enough (1986)
• Menudo (Portuguese) (1986)
• Somos Los Hijos del Rock (1987)
• In Action (Inglis-Tagalog) (1987)
• Sons of Rock (1988)
• Sombras Y Figuras (1989)

Solo

• Ricky Martin (1991)
• Me Amarás (1993)
• A Medio Vivir (1995)
• Vuelve (1998)
• Ricky Martin (1999)
• Sound Loaded (2000)
• Almas del Silencio (2003)
• Life (2005)
• MTV Unplugged (2006)
• Música + Alma + Sexo (2011)
• A Quien Quiera Escuchar (2015)
• Movimiento (2020)

Filmografie

• 1985 : The Love Boat (TV series) as Ricky
• 1987 : Por siempre amigos (Argentina TV series) as Ricky
• 1991 : Alcanzar una estrella II (TV series) as Pablo Loredo
• 1992 : Más que alcanzar una estrella as Enrique
• 1993 : Getting By (TV series) as Martin
• 1994 : General Hospital (TV series) as Miguel Morez (1994–95)
• 1996 : Barefoot in Paradice (TV series) as Sandoval
• 1997 : Hercules (Spainyie leid, Voice Anerlie) as Hercules
• 2006 : Sos mi vida (Argentina TV series) as the same
• 2011 : The Oprah Winfrey Show guest
• 2011 : Susana Giménez guest
• 2012 : Glee (TV series) as David Martinez
• 2013: The Voice Australia as Hissel (Coach)

Theatre

• Les Misérables (1996), Broadway – Marius
• Evita, (2012), Broadway – Ché

Tours

• Ricky Martin Tour (1992)
• Me Amaras Tour (1993–1994)
• A Medio Vivir Tour (1995–1997)
• Vuelve World Tour (1998)
• Livin' la Vida Loca Tour (1999–2000)
• One Night Only with Ricky Martin (2005–2006)
• Black and White Tour (2007)
• Música + Alma + Sexo World Tour (2011)
• Ricky Martin Live (2013–2014)
• Live in Mexico (2014)
• One World Tour (2015–2017)
• Ricky Martin en Concierto (2018)
• Movimiento Tour (2020)

Freemit airtins

• Offeecial wabsteid
• Ricky Martin on IMDb
• Ricky Martin on Twitter