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Who Is Ricky Martin?
Ricky Martin, a renowned global pop icon, began his entertainment career at the age of six, appearing in local television commercials. He rose to prominence as a member of the celebrated teen singing group Menudo until he turned 18. After completing high school, Martin embarked on a successful solo career, engaging in both stage performances and television appearances while honing his musical talents. His debut English-language album and its lead single achieved remarkable commercial success, and he continues to produce music in both Spanish and English.
Early Life and Menudo
Born Enrique Jose Martin Morales IV on December 24, 1971, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Martin was exposed to the arts at an early age through local television. After three auditions, he joined Menudo in 1984. During his five-year tenure with the group, he traveled extensively, performing in multiple languages and establishing himself as a gifted vocalist. Upon reaching the age limit for Menudo in 1989, Martin returned to Puerto Rico to complete his high school education before relocating to New York City to pursue a solo career in acting and music.
Songs and Albums
Throughout his career, Martin has successfully balanced acting and music, releasing numerous albums and performing in concerts. He gained popularity not only in Puerto Rico but also within the broader Latin and Hispanic communities.
His debut solo album, Ricky Martin, was released in 1988 under Sony Latin, followed by Me Amaras in 1989. His third album, A Medio Vivir, was launched in 1997, coinciding with his contribution to the Spanish-language version of Disney’s animated film Hercules. Martin’s subsequent album, Vuelve, released in 1998, featured the hit single “La Copa de la Vida” (“The Cup of Life”), which he famously performed during the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France, captivating an audience of 2 billion viewers worldwide.
At the Grammy Awards in February 1999, Martin, already recognized as a global sensation, delivered an electrifying performance of “La Copa de la Vida” at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. He also received the award for Best Latin Pop Performance for Vuelve.
‘Livin’ La Vida Loca’ Becomes a Pop Phenom
Following his dynamic Grammy performance, Martin released his first English-language single, “Livin’ La Vida Loca,” which quickly became a cultural phenomenon. His self-titled album, Ricky Martin, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard charts, establishing him as a prominent figure in mainstream American pop music. He was featured on the cover of Time magazine, lauded for his role in bringing Latin cultural influences into the spotlight.
In February 2000, Martin received four Grammy nominations for his debut English album and single. Although he did not win in any category—losing to esteemed artists such as Sting and Santana—he captivated audiences with a powerful live performance, further solidifying his status as a leading figure in the music industry.
Acting
Martin’s journey in acting began when he traveled to Mexico to participate in a stage musical, which led to his role as a singer in the 1992 Spanish-language telenovela Alcanzar una Estrella (To Reach a Star). The show’s popularity resulted in a movie adaptation in which he reprised his role. In 1993, Martin moved to Los Angeles, making his American television debut in the sitcom Getting By. He later appeared in the daytime soap opera General Hospital in 1995 and starred in the Broadway production of Les Misérables in 1996.
Recent Projects
In 2010, Martin published his autobiography, Me, which quickly became a bestseller. Around this time, he collaborated with Joss Stone on the duet single “The Best Thing About Me Is You,” which garnered modest success. He released Música + Alma + Sexo (2011), primarily featuring Spanish-language songs, which soared to the top of the pop charts and marked his latest No. 1 recording on the Latin charts. In 2012, Martin made a guest appearance on the high school musical series Glee and returned to Broadway in April for a revival of the hit musical Evita, portraying the character Ché, who narrates the story of Eva Perón, a legendary figure in Argentina and the wife of leader Juan Perón.
‘The Assassination of Gianni Versace’
In January 2018, Martin starred in FX’s The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, portraying Versace’s longtime partner, Antonio D’Amico, who witnessed the tragic events surrounding Versace’s murder.
Personal Life
Martin became a father to twin boys, Matteo and Valentino, born via surrogate in 2008. Once private about his personal life, he publicly came out in 2010, stating on his website, “I am proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man. I am very blessed to be who I am.” His decision to reveal his sexuality was inspired, in part, by his sons.
In November 2016, during an appearance on Ellen DeGeneres’ talk show, Martin announced his engagement to Jwan Yosef, an artist of Syrian descent raised in Sweden. In January 2018, he confirmed their quiet marriage, with plans for a larger celebration in the following months.
Martin’s family grew with the birth of his daughter Lucia in late 2018, followed by another son, Renn, in October 2019.
An advocate for numerous causes, Martin founded the Ricky Martin Foundation in 2000 as a child advocacy organization, running the People for Children project to combat child exploitation. In 2006, he spoke before the U.S. House International Relations Committee in support of a United Nations initiative to enhance children’s rights worldwide.
Through his foundation, Martin supports various charitable organizations and has received numerous accolades for his humanitarian efforts, including the 2005 International Humanitarian Award from the International Center for Missing and Exploited Children.