THE TELEGRAPH: Ricky Martin, the Latin pop star, has announced that he is gay.
"I am proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man," Martin wrote in a blog posting at www.rickymartinmusic.com [Correction: Ricky Martin Music]
"This is just what I need especially now that I am the father of two beautiful boys that are so full of light and who with their outlook teach me new things every day. To keep living as I did up until today would be to indirectly diminish the glow that my kids were born with," Martin wrote.
Martin, 38, became a father to twin sons via a surrogate in 2008 and at the time no details were given about the birth or the mother.
The Puerto Rican singer of hits such as "Livin' la Vida Loca," has long been the subject of speculation about his sexuality. In 2000, TV journalist Barbara Walters grilled him about whether he was gay, but he refused to disclose it.
In his posting on Monday, Martin said a few months ago he had decided to write a memoir and doing so brought him closer to what he called "an amazing turning point in my life". >>> | Tuesday, March 30, 2010
TIMES ONLINE: Ricky Martin announces he is gay >>> Sophie Tedmanson | Tuesday, March 30, 2010
THE TELEGRAPH: Barbara Walters, the American television presenter, has expressed her regret over a controversial interview with Ricky Martin where she aggressively questioned him about his homosexuality.
Speaking just before the Latino Pop star confirmed he was homosexual, the 80 year-old broadcasting veteran admitted she had pursued “inappropriate” questions during their interview in 2000.
Walters, who has interviewed some of the world’s biggest names over an illustrious 29-year career, asked him whether he was a homosexual, which he refused to disclose.
She then asks Martin what Gloria Estefan meant when she once told him "enjoy your sexuality" as the star becomes more awkward.
Walters, who is known for getting stars to open up on camera, continues her questioning by asking him how exactly he is "enjoying it."
Martin’s only reply is: “I live la vida loca!”
“In 2000, I pushed Ricky Martin very hard to admit if he was gay or not, and the way he refused to do it made everyone decide that he was,” she told the Toronto Star earlier this month.
“A lot of people say that destroyed his career, and when I think back on it now I feel it was an inappropriate question.”
That interview, broadcast on the American ABC Network, is seen by many to have ruined the 38 year-old’s career.
After the interview his career in America fell flat although he is still considered a superstar in Latin America. >>> | Tuesday, March 30, 2010
THE TELEGRAPH: Ricky Martin's revelations about his sexuality are getting him tonnes of press and are likely to expand his already considerable gay fanbase.
>>> Helen Brown | Tuesday, March 30, 2010
