Ricky Martin is regarded as one of the most talented Latin singers in the music industry and has gained international fame. Many fans applauded him for his decision to come publicly out as gay in 2010, but none of this would have been possible if his father hadn't encouraged him.
The "Livin' La Vida Loca" hitmaker recently sat down for an interview with Andy Cohen for his SiriusXM show to recall the moment he decided to let the world know about his sexuality to continue living his truth.
Looking back on his career, the now 52-year-old Puerto Rican artist said his team told him to conceal the truth about his sexuality warning that revealing it would be "the end" of his career.
"'You don't have to tell the world. Your friends know, your family know. Why do you need to stand in front of the camera and talk about it?,'" he recalled his handlers saying.
Ricky Martin's Dad Encouraged Him to Come Out
Even though his team was entirely against the idea of him sharing his truth, his father's reaction was the complete opposite.
In 2008, the singer welcomed his twin sons, Matteo and Valentino, and at the time, his father asked him if he would teach his children since he couldn't express himself freely to the public.
"'You gotta go out... I want to help you. How can we do this?'" he recalled being told by his father. (via People Magazine)
Martin was still unsure how he would do it at the time, but he asked his father for some time to think it through.
Before he came out publicly, the former Menudo member first told his secret to his mother when he was 18 years old. The singer said his mom took her time to understand his situation as she was coming from a place of concern and was afraid that other people would hurt him.
The Public Speculated on Ricky Martin's Sexuality For Years
In a previous interview, the singer recalled being confused. He was unsure whether he was gay or bisexual, as he also dated several women in the past, but he admitted to having dated men in private.
There have been rumors circulating the press in the early 2000s, especially after his interview with Barbara Walters, who asked him on national television if he was gay. He didn't reveal his truth at the time as he "felt violated" by the question.
Finally, in 2010, Ricky Martin took to his official website to come out. He wrote: "I am proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man. I am very blessed to be who I am." (via ABC News)
"I wish I could come out 20 times. It felt amazing. Of course, I started crying like a baby," he said after coming out.
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