Ricky Martin

Source Notes:

Marc Penfield quotes Kristen Sparks, "Ricky Martin, An Unauthorized Biography," Berkley Boulevard Books, New York, a pocketbook 1999, that quotes the B.C. on p.13. (Copy in hand)

Biography:

Puerto-Rican singer, a pro from age 13 who exploded into international popularity in 1999 with his "Livin' la Vida Loca." Along with the growing favor of salsa music, his Latin good looks, talent and sensuality made such an impact that he soared onto the charts. Ricky reports that his childhood was healthy and happy. His parents divorced when he was two but he saw them both and played with a total of five half-siblings. "Kiki" as he was called, loved performing and at age seven did his first TV commercial. His goal was to be a member of the musical group "Menudo," a boy-band that retired each musician when their voice changed - 17 at the eldest. Ricky first auditioned for them at 12 and was turned down. On his third try, he made it - on 7/10/1984.

Being a member of Menudo meant rehearsals and discipline. They toured nine months a year and the rest of the time cut records, rehearsed and did TV shows. In 1989, he left the group as a 17-year-old millionaire, more worldly than his years. He moved to New York City and took six months to mull over his life. He began to take dancing, singing and acting lessons.

Mexico was open to Ricky's talents and the young Latino played on Mexican TV, sang in several bands and made his first movie. His success was noticed by Sony Records which signed him to a recording contract. "Ricky Martin" was released in 1991. The record did fairly well but it was when he toured that the fans went wild. He won an award as Best New Latin Artist that year, and other awards began to flood in, along with acting jobs. With each album, his voice became richer and more polished and his delivery, more sensational. His "Maria" became a hit in Europe, the Far-East and Australia.

Making his home in Miami, Florida, Ricky practiced his English. Seen in the company of different women, he steadily evades the question about his sexual preference, saying that people may speculate if they have nothing better to do with their time.

In late 2000, his new CD, "Sound Loaded," was released to immediate raves. Handsome and bursting with vitality, Ricky was seen on the covers of both People and Entertainment magazines in November.