Ricky Martin said that the people of Puerto Rico continue to recover months after the devastating hurricane hit the island last year.
The pop singer told Ellen DeGeneres that he and his family spent the holiday season in his hometown and gave an update on the progress of rehabilitating the territory. The 46-year-old also shared that he has raised about $5 million that will go to relief efforts.
Puerto Rico Still Needs Help
"It's still about 53 percent of the island is still without electricity, but we're smiling and we're happy and we're alive and we're very grateful for everything that's been happening, the love that we received from literally people from all over the world," he told the television host. "We're doing our best and we just have to stay optimistic."
He recounted that bringing electricity back to the territory is a very complicated process because Puerto Rico needs over 7,000 poles. The company contracted to fix these poles can only accomplish about two or three a week.
However, Martin remains optimistic.
The singer-turned-actor also revealed that he is still raising funds to help rebuild his homeland. Even his children, who are still very young, wanted to use their own savings and help the children in need.
TV Appearance
The former member of pop group Menudo has been cast as Antonio D' Amico in FX's The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story.
He told DeGeneres that it was legendary screenwriter Ryan Murphy who reached out to him and told him about the upcoming series. Murphy is also the genius behind American Horror Story and Glee.
A follow-up to last year's award-winning first season, The People vs O.J. Simpson, The Assassination of Gianni Versace, as the title suggests, will recount the story of the murder of the popular fashion designer by a serial killer. The series will also star Edgar Ramirez as the titular character, Penelope Cruz as Donatella, and Darren Criss as Andrew Cunanan.
Martin's character, Antonio, a model and a fashion designer, was the boyfriend of Gianni at the time of the murder.
To entice the viewers, the singer revealed that he will show his backside on the upcoming television series.
On a more serious note, Martin revealed that the new season of American Crime Story will explore issues that plagued and are still plaguing the LGBT community until now.
"[Andrew Cunanan] went on a killing spree for months. He killed five or six people. He was on the list of most wanted of the FBI," he recounted. However, the serial killer was not in hiding even if he were murdering gay men. "For some reason, [the authorities] never found him."
The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story is loosely based on the book Vulgar Favors: Andrew Cunanan, Gianni Versace, and the Largest Failed Manhunt in the U.S. History written by Maureen Orth. The series will also delve into the four other murders leading to the death of the world-renowned fashion designer. Moreover, Murphy confirmed the serial killer's life in the gay community of San Diego and the homophobia that was present and apparent at the time.
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