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Ricky Martin

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Ricky Martin

Ricky Martin (born Enrique Martín Morales on December 24, 1971) is a Puerto Rican pop singer and actor who achieved prominence, first as a member of the Latin boy band Menudo, then as a solo artist since 1991.

During his career he has sold more than 60 million albums worldwide.[1] He is the founder of Ricky Martin Foundation (in Spanish Fundación Ricky Martin), a non-profit charity organization. Ricky Martin's exuberant 1999 single "Livin' la Vida Loca" made him a prominent figure of Latin dance-pop. Martin got his start with the all-boy pop group Menudo; after five years with the group, he released his Spanish-language solo album, Ricky Martin, in 1991. He also acted on stage and on TV in Mexico, becoming a modest star there. In 1994 he starred on the American TV soap opera General Hospital, playing a Puerto Rican singer. In 1999, after several albums in Spanish, he released his first English-language album (also titled Ricky Martin), which included the salsa-style "Livin' la Vida Loca". The album sold 17 million copies and brought Martin international fame. His other albums include A Medio Vivir (1995), Vuelve (1998), Sound Loaded (2000, with the hit "She Bangs"), Life (2005), and the compilation album 17 (2008). In 2010 Martin announced that he was a "fortunate homosexual man", ending years of fan speculation on the topic.

On the edge of the new millennium, Martin—almost by himself—gave Latino music an international face. An acclaimed performance at the 1999 Grammy Awards launched Martin into worldwide super-stardom. As Entertainment Weekly's Andrew Essex reported, "his leather-pants, electro-pelvis version of 'La Copa de la Vida' single-handedly goosed a very dull [Grammy] telecast, earning him a standing ovation."

Martin's twin sons, Matteo and Valentino, were born via a surrogate mother in 2008. Martin also co-owns a Miami restaurant, Casa Salsa, and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2007.

Early life

Martin was born on December 24, 1971, in San Juan, Puerto Rico,[2] the son of Nereida Morales, an accountant, and Enrique Martín Negroni, a psychologist. His parents divorced when he was two; his father remarried. Martin has two maternal half-brothers, Fernando and Ángel Fernández, and two paternal half-brothers, Eric and Daniel Martín, and a paternal half-sister Vanessa Martín.[3] Martin grew up in a Roman Catholic home and was an altar boy until he joined Menudo.[4] Martin has some Corsican and Catalan ancestry as his paternal fourth great-grandfathers were born in Rogliano, Cap Corse, Corsica, and Vilanova i la Geltrú, Catalonia.[5][6]

he is gay

MTV Diary and MTV Unplugged

MTV aired "MTV Diary: Ricky Martin" in November 2006, showcasing scenes from the "One Night Only" tour, on the road and onstage. MTV Latin America and MTV Tr3́s co-produced the "Ricky Martin MTV Unplugged" show to be taped in Miami on August 17, 2006 and premiered on MTV Latin America, MTV Tr3́s and MTV Puerto Rico in October 2006.

"Ricky Martin MTV Unplugged" was released by Sony BMG on November 7, 2006 in both separate CD and DVD formats, and in May 2007, was re-released together in a CD/DVD combo-package. Available exclusively at Wal-Mart with the original CD purchase is a separate Ricky Martin DVD titled "Making of Ricky Martin MTV Unplugged", which includes a 40 minute behind the scenes documentary and the music video to "Tu Recuerdo". (It should be noted the music video for "Tu Recuerdo" is just an extracted live performance of the song from MTV Unplugged.)

The first single of the album, "Tu Recuerdo", featuring La Mari from Chambao, reached number one on the U.S. Latin Charts. The album debuted at number one on the U.S. Latin Charts and number thirty-eight on Billboard 200.

This album includes Puerto Rican influences, particularly "Tu Recuerdo" (based mainly on a Puerto Rican "aguinaldo jíbaro",[7] and finishing with an "aguinaldo orocoveño"[8]) and "Pégate", a Puerto Rican plena. Christian Nieves plays the Puerto Rican cuatro on both tracks. Viento de agua and Joseph Quevedo played the plena drums in "Pégate".

Personal life

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

In the past Martin stated he was in love with Mexican TV host Rebecca de Alba, with whom he had an off-and-on-again relationship for over 14 years. They even talked of starting a family together,[9][10][11] and at one point Martin planned on proposing.[12] However with the release of Life, Martin confirmed he and De Alba had parted ways.[13][14]

In August 2008, Martin became the father of twin boys, Matteo and Valentino. The babies were birthed by a surrogate mother.[15]

After the success of Livin' la Vida Loca, Martin's personal life became a subject of interest due to his large gay following, and he was questioned about his sexual orientation. In a December 2000 interview with The Mirror, Martin was asked to comment on the rumors surrounding his sexuality. He replied 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."[16][17] Along with this, Martin reportedly stated in an interview with Plus 7 Days magazine, "If I were gay, why not admit it? I am a normal man. I love women and sex. I am a real hot-blooded Puerto Rican, but I have never been attracted by sex with a man."[18]

On March 29, 2010, Martin publicly acknowledged his homosexuality in a post on his official web site by stating, "I am proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man. I am very blessed to be who I am."[19][20] 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."[21] In 2010, prior to Martin coming out, Barbara Walters expressed some regret for pushing Martin in a 2000 interview to admit if he was gay. The Toronto Star quoted her as saying, "When I think back on it now, I feel it was an inappropriate question."[22][23]

Martin announced on The Oprah Winfrey Show that he is in a relationship[24] though he has chosen to shield his boyfriend from the spotlight, believing that he might find the attention "overwhelming".[25] Martin has also expressed support for same-sex marriage in an interview on Larry King Live, and commented on his experience of being closeted and coming out. "[E]verything about saying [that I am gay] feels right...", Martin stated, adding "if I’d known how good it was going to feel, I would have done it ten years ago."[25]

Autobiography

Martin's autobiography, Me, was published November 2, 2010. The book became a New York Times Best Seller,[26] debuting at #5 on the Hardcover Nonfiction list. A Spanish-language edition entitled "Yo" was published simultaneously.

Humanitarian work

Main article: Ricky Martin Foundation

Martin is the founder of Fundación Ricky Martin (Template:Lang-en), a non-profit organization. Among the events promoted by the foundation was a summer camp, which included Martin's personal participation.[27]

Martin has been honored with many accolades for his humanitarian efforts including:

Martin has also collaborated with the International Organization for Migration on the "Llama y Vive" (Call and Live), a campaign which is aimed to facilitate prevention of human trafficking, protection of the youngest victims of child trafficking, and prosecution of the traffickers. For his work against human trafficking, the U.S. State Department named Martin one of its "Heroes in Ending Modern-Day Slavery" in 2005.

Politics

Ricky Martin in Congress. Luis Fortuño (far left) and Tom Lantos.

Martin was a headliner in the 2001 inauguration ball for President George W. Bush; he even invited the newly elected president to join him on stage to dance. This image was captured by photographers and broadcast in various media throughout the world. Martin referred to it in a later song, Asignatura Pendiente.

Martin has since changed his position on the former President. In a concert in Puerto Rico during the song Asignatura Pendiente Martin thrust his middle finger disapprovingly in the air while singing the line "photo with Bush". The gesture met with audience approval but caused a minor controversy with the media. Martin said in an e-mail statement sent to 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".[28]

Martin supported Hillary Clinton over Barack Obama in the landslide Clinton victory in the Puerto Rican Democratic primary on June 3, 2008.[29]

Discography

Main articles: Ricky Martin discography and Ricky Martin videography

Filmography

  • 1987 : Por siempre amigos (TV series) as Ricky
  • 1990 : Alcanzar una estrella (TV series) as Pablo Loredo
  • 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
  • 1993 : General Hospital (TV series) as Miguel Morez (1994–1996)
  • 1996 : Barefoot in Paradise (TV series) as Sandoval
  • 2002 : Les Diables as Brian Rodriquez
  • 2003 : Ricky Martin: En la intimidad (TV) as a guest star
Television appearances

Theatre

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[30] (2011)

Records and achievements

See also: List of awards and nominations received by Ricky Martin

In addition to the numerous awards received throughout his musical career, Martin has also been honored with many accolades for his humanitarian efforts.

Awards
Grammy
Preceded by Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album
1999
for Vuelve 		Succeeded by
Rubén Blades
for Tiempo
Latin Grammy
Preceded by Latin Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video
2001
for She Bangs 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Latin Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album, Male
2007
for MTV Unplugged 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
Diego El Cigala
for Blanco Y Negro En Vivo
 Latin Grammy Award for Best Long Form Music Video
2007
for MTV Unplugged 		Succeeded by

See also

Notes

  1. ^ "Fans shriek as Ricky Martin gets his star". MSNBC. 2007-10-16.
  2. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Ricky Martin – Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved 2009-04-08.
  3. ^ Ricky Martin Picture, Video, Wallpaper, Profile, Gossip, and News at. Celebritywonder.com. Retrieved on 2011-02-25.
  4. ^ He worked on commercials since the age of 7 [1]
  5. ^ "Enrique Martin Morales familytree". Familytreemaker.genealogy.com. Retrieved 2010-02-15.
  6. ^ "familytreemaker.genealogy; Antonio Francisco Negroni". Familytreemaker.genealogy.com. 1996-08-15. Retrieved 2010-02-15.
  7. ^ A sound sample of an aguinaldo jíbaro, played by cuatro player Efraín Vidal
  8. ^ "A sound sample of an aguinaldo orocoveño, played by cuatro player Efraín Vidal". Retrieved 2010-02-15.
  9. ^ "Ricky Martin". Hellomagazine.
  10. ^ "Ricky Martin". Hellomagazine.
  11. ^ "Rebeca de Alba saw Ricky Martin as the father of their children (translated)". TelemundoLA.
  12. ^ Ricky likes being alone. Metro.co.uk (2007-08-02). Retrieved on 2011-02-25.
  13. ^ [2][dead link‍]
  14. ^ [3][dead link‍]
  15. ^ Ricky Martin has twins babies and 'no nanny' – USATODAY.com. Content.usatoday.com (2008-12-10). Retrieved on 2011-02-25.
  16. ^ Sally Morgan "Ricky Martin – It's no one's business whether I've been to bed with a cow, a broom or a woman...", The Mirror, 9 December 2000
  17. ^ Sally Morgan "Ricky Martin – It's no one's business whether I've been to bed with a cow, a broom or a woman...", The Mirror, 9 December 2000, as reproduced on rmtee.com
  18. ^ Gay Or Nay? at, June 9th, 2009 in Photos on SameSame.com.au. SameSame.com.au. Published June 9, 2009. Retrieved January 10, 2011.
  19. ^ "Ricky Martin Gay Bombshell: 'I am a Fortunate Homosexual Man'", PopEater.com Staff, March 29, 2010
  20. ^ "Ricky Martin Comes Out: "I'm A Fortunate Homosexual Man"". Huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2010-08-02.
  21. ^ Yep, He's Gay: Ricky Martin Comes Out of the Closet | Rolling Stone Music. Rollingstone.com (2010-03-29). Retrieved on 2011-02-25.
  22. ^ Comments (2010-03-09). "Barbara Walters Regrets Ricky Martin Interview". PopEater.com. Retrieved 2010-08-02.
  23. ^ Ouzounian, Richard (2010-03-06). "Barbara Walters: What kind of tree is she?". Toronto: thestar.com. Retrieved 2010-08-02.
  24. ^ Ricky Martin on Love. Oprah.com (2010-11-02). Retrieved on 2011-02-25.
  25. ^ a b Akersten, M. (November 11, 2010). "Let Ricky Martin Get Married!". samesame.com.au. Retrieved November 14, 2010.
  26. ^ Schuessler, Jennifer. "Hardcover". The New York Times.
  27. ^ "Ricky Martin sorprende a sus "ahijados"" (in Spanish). Primera Hora. 2008-07-09. Retrieved 2008-07-14. [dead link‍]
  28. ^ "Singer Ricky Martin 'Fingers' Bush for Iraq Criticism". Associated Press, February 16, 2007.
  29. ^ Ricky Martin endorses Hillary Clinton – Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, February 16, 2007.
  30. ^ Twitter / Ricky Martin: First stop on my "Music+So. Twitter.com (2010-12-09). Retrieved on 2011-02-25.
  31. ^ Ricky Martin gets Walk of Fame star – Boston.com[dead link‍]
  32. ^ "Flash!/Cine". Ricky Martin: Bien ubicada su estrella (in Spanish). Puerto Rico: El Nuevo Día. 2007-10-14. p. 94.
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