The Modern Icon: Ricky Martin
Thirty seven years of his career (he started at the tender age of 12 with then band Nude), 90 million albums sold, 500 nominations, including an Emmy for his role in the TV series "The Assassination of Gianni Versace", a husband (to the artist Jwan Josef) and father to four children who keep him busy 24/7. Yet, Enrique Martín Morales IV, aka Ricky Martin, the King of Latin Pop, author of hits such as "Livinʼ la vida loca", "Shake your bon bonˮ," La bombaˮ, "Mariaˮ has always seemed the same, both in physical appearance and enthusiasm, as if it was just yesterday he shot his video "We are not alone", shot in 2009 alongside Eros Ramazzotti.
We interview him on the road, while on the Movimiento Tour, which started in February from Puerto Rico, where he was born, with a very busy schedule of concerts planned (Covid-19 permitting) throughout Latin America. Following which, starting in September, a tour with Enrique Iglesias, #EnriqueRickytour.
How is the tour coming along?
Well, well, we are very happy. We went to Puerto Rico, Barranquilla in Colombia and the Viña del Mar festival in Chile, an event that I really like. Then we will go to Argentina, Uruguay, Mexico and we will be in Europe during the summer. Then we will be in the United States and Canada.
What is the inspiration for Movimiento?
After the last earthquake in Puerto Rico, there was a mass demonstration against Governor Ricardo Rosselló, another corrupt politician. I chose to participate because it was a good opportunity to reconnect with my land and my people. The fact that I do not live in Puerto Rico does not mean that I have forgotten my roots. On this occasion, I tried to understand how I could help them change the situation. I am not a politician, but with my music, I can touch people's hearts and help raise awareness. The album I write is born from the universal passion of people for justice, but it is also a romantic and positive album, starting with the first single, "Tiburones." The reality is that my music will always make people dance, but that doesn't mean that my words should be meaningless. This song is a metaphor for the frustration of my people, describing the things we would be willing to do to stay together, to survive, we we could even think about swimming allegorically ... with tiburones, aka sharks. Unfortunately, this is a global problem that is not just about Puerto Rico, we have to fight and come together to do justice. The protests of the French in yellow vests, those of Hong Kong or of Mexican women against gender-based violence and feminicides are all consequences of a situation which is no longer tenable and against which it is just to rebel. are acts that arise from balance and the love of justice. It is a Latin spirit, and I live every day with passion, in whatever form.
What are your relations with Italy?
I love Italy and Italian music. I sang with Eros Ramazzotti, I worked with Laura Pausini, I participated in Festivalbar and Sanremo, all the tours in your country have always been a success, because the Italians are like us the Latins, they like life. I have always had good relations with Italy. "Vuelveˮ, one of my most successful songs was written by Franco De Vita.
Are there musicians that make you dream?
Mina. She has a wonderful voice that transcends time. I really like his taste for the covers of his albums, which are always innovative, provocative, refined and avant-garde. I find his collaboration with Mauro Balletti fantastic. And then David Bowie, because his ambiguous sexuality always inspired me, when I looked at what he was doing, I felt good.
You have lived in Los Angeles since 2016. Why?
After my marriage to Jwan Yosef, we looked for the right city to share our family life. At first, we thought of London or New York. Then we were lucky enough to spend some time in Los Angeles and fell in love with the relaxed atmosphere and climate. I met Jwan because I am a collector and I really like his conceptual art. We bought a house designed by Gregory Ain, perfect for our art collection and our four children. Los Angeles also gave me the opportunity to return to the profession of acting on television. Working with Ryan Murphy on the Gianni Versace assassination series was a great experience, culturally very interesting because Ryan is a true renaissance man, encyclopedic, curious about everything. I really admired Versace, not only as a designer, but also as a man.
What is your relationship with your children?
They are children, I wish they did not have any thoughts before adolescence. We try to teach them to have a culture, without being too attached to material things. My children can only be spoiled by their grandparents.
When did you start your philanthropic work and how did you cultivate your activism?
I created my foundation over twenty years ago, for a fight that continues today against trafficking in human beings. At the time, I had no idea how big the problem was with this horrific crime. My activism is focused on the well-being of trafficked children, who are forced into prostitution and pornography because they are vulnerable and try to protect their families. Children are often victims of this crime after a natural disaster, and this is where we come in to provide physical and emotional support, by providing food and shelter, just to avoid the exploitation of the victims. To contribute: rickymartinfoundation.org.
Photography Nicolas Wagner
Words Roberto Croci
Styling Douglas VanLaningham
Hair Joey Nieves @The Only Agency
Makeup Hanic Arias @The Only Agency
Assistant photographer Ruby Jun
Assistant stylist Jeremy Friend e Monica Murillo
The interview originally appeared in L'Officiel Hommes Italia.
