You’re So Fine

A single tweet changed Ricky Martin’s life, and then it changed the world.

By Chris Azzopradi

When the internationally famed Puerto Rican heartthrob came out in 2010, declaring himself on Twitter “a fortunate homosexual man” who’s “very blessed to be who I am,” Martin, 43, stepped out of the closet and into himself. Reflecting the free life he’s currently basking in are the raw sounds and personal soliloquies on the singer’s 10th studio album, A Quien Quiera Escuchar (To Whomever Wants to Listen).

In conversation, Martin is noticeably laid-back, sincere, and personal as he opens up about how his six-year relationship with Carlos Gonzalez Abella inspired his latest music (“I love being in love”), what he’s really trying to convey with all his shirtless selfies, and the “powerful” coming out stories the LGBT community shares with him. And whether he’s ruminating on his two sons or anticipating shaking his bon-bon with more male dancers onstage, his smile radiates through the phone. This is a newer, happier Ricky Martin, and yes: We’re listening.

On behalf of the gay community, thank you for all you do. The world is a better place because of your shirtless selfies.


*laughs* Oh, man, thank you very much. I laugh so much at the reaction of the people; it’s so funny.

i get a kick out of it too. Are you more comfortable without clothes? Or do you feel it’s just your responsibility as a celebrated sex symbol?


I just want to let people know how normal my life is, and I try to do it with a simple picture — that’s what Instagram is about. So the other day I was laying in the sun and I was like, “Hey everyone, I’m here. I’m in a good place.” You know, I’m a little obsessed with social media, to be honest. That’s the first thing I do in the morning. I check out my Twitter, my HeyHey account, Facebook, and Instagram. I read what people have to say and what they need from me as an artist. It’s fun, man.

you’ve always been a sex symbol, but how does it feel being a sex symbol for a community of gay men who know you’re playing on their team? is it different when there’s that mutual attraction?

Listen, for me, it’s about liberty and it’s about being you — or me, in this case — and living life with transparency and just being. It’s so amazing to know that you have nothing to hide, man. What you see is what you get. And this is me. I don’t wear a mask to go on stage, and the support I’ve received from my community since I came out has been amazing. It’s one of those things that [makes] you say, “Oh my god, why didn’t I do this before?” But then again, Chris, you know how it goes: Everybody accepts who they are at their own time. When I sent that tweet a few years ago … it was the most amazing day of my life after the birth of my kids. And it is what it is. Now my life is simple and honest and transparent, and this is me. And that’s what social media’s about: being yourself.

The ladies have obviously been infatuated with you since the beginning of your career, since the beginning of your career with Menudo.
But when did you first realize that LGBT fans enjoyed you as well?

It’s always been there. Before I came out, the love was there and I was very thankful. When I got to work directly with the community once I came out, it went to another level and it’s felt amazing, but once again, just being able to talk to the media about who we are and what we want and what we need, it’s just so powerful. The equality slogan translates so easily in any language.

How much of the music on this album was inspired by your own personal love life, particularly your time with ex-partner Carlos Gonzalez Abella?

After six years of being in a very steady relationship with him, yes, we have a lot of stories and we have a lot of moments of love and lots of light and yes, he is part of this album. It’s not about what I’ve lived [through] this year that we broke up or even the last five years. It’s decades of allowing myself to really go back and remember specific relationships that really [affected] me in many ways. And it became music. It’s never too late.

You’ll be touring all year across the world.

I’m addicted!

Do you still perform She Bangs?

If people ask for it, I will perform it. I would become the character in the video and I would perform it.

You’ve always been flanked by female dancers. Now that you’re out and proud, does that mean that more male dancers get in on the mix?


Hey, let’s be fair: It’s about equality, you know? And when I walk onstage I present different scenarios of life and, yes, I do have more one-on-one dancing with male dancers, but when you’re at a party, you just dance. It doesn’t matter who’s next to you, you grab a guy’s or a girl’s hand and you just go for it. And that’s what my show is about. It’s about freedom. And it’s about being comfortable in your own skin.

Now that you’re back on the market, what’s dating like for someone as widely known as Ricky Martin?


*laughs* To be honest, I love being in a relationship, Chris. I love waking up in the morning and, if you’re not with your boyfriend, [sending] that first message or text “Hey baby, how ya doing? I hope you’re fine. I just woke up. I’m doing this and this and this today.” I loooove that. I really do. And I love picking up my phone and waiting for that reply from that text — it’s great. But at the same time, right now, I’m enjoying being single. I’m enjoying this process. I’m not saying that I don’t want to be in a relationship — I would be lying to you. I love being in love.

You strike me as a hopeless romantic.

I am, I am, I am! You’re damn right about that.

How often have men used a pickup line on you that references your bon-bon?


Ohh, man. If someone goes there I’d be like, “Dude, you gotta start again. I’ll give you another chance because of your pretty face.” *laughs*

Have you taught [your kids] the famous Ricky hip swivel yet?


Oh, it’s in their blood, buddy. There’s nothing I can do about it. It’s there. *laughs*