Puerto Rico, February 2000
From your gran to your next-door-neighbor's dog, is there anyone on the
planet who hasn't heard of RICKY MARTIN!!!
So, Ricky, how on earth are you coping with all this success?
"Well, for me, it's something I always wanted - to bring music to people, to
let them know what I'm made of, to talk about my culture and where I'm from,
which is Puerto Rico. You know, the mission's almost accomplished, and that's
awesome!"
Do you think all this would be have happened if you weren't quite so
good-looking?
(laughs) "Well, let's be honest, the visual part is very important. Of
course, the talent's very important too, but hey - maybe Elvis wouldn't have
been Elvis if he didn't shake his hips. A lot of people think if someone's a
sex symbol, it's a bad thing and won't last, but look at people like Elvis
and Sinatra..."
You don't mind being a sex symbol, then?
"No way! It's all about art and expressing yourself however you want to. It's
not about choreography - it's about passion and what you have inside you. If
someone says what I'm doing is too sexy, then I'm like, 'Hey, you're making
fun of my culture, you know!' That's the way we are. We grew up dancing and
if you're not shaking your hips, you're not doing it right!"
Who do you think your fans are?
"When I'm in the studio, I don't think about a certain group of people - my
motive is to create quality music. I want to go out on stage and see groups
of guys, groups of girls, groups of grandmas...I want everyone to enjoy my
music! When we were in New Delhi, I played to 55,000 people and like 40,000
of them were guys. I couldn't believe it! I was like, 'Show me the hips!' but
they couldn't quite get it! I guess if you go around saying, 'Oh, I'm a hot
boy,' they'd be, 'What is wrong with you, buddy? Get a life!' But I'm not
into that. I'm into music."
Are you looking forward to filming the video with Madonna?
"Oh, very much so. Hopefully it'll happen soon. We'll film it in PR, and what
I have in my mind, is a little story set at the beginning of the century in
the very old part of San Juan,
with horses roaming around and that kind of vibe...well, that's what I'm
thinking about, but I'm sure Madonna will have her own ideas, too!"
Have you seen her recently?
"I went to her birthday party in August, then the last time I saw her was at
the MTV Awards. But I speak to her on the phone all the time. She helps me to
keep things simple, because although I've been dealing with 'fame' for 16
years now, she's majorly felt it for such a long time - and then some! She
gives me a lot of wise words to keep me stable, relaxed and positive. You
know, I'm only human, and it's very easy to be overwhelmed by everything.
Fortunately, I have great people working around me - people I've been with
for eleven years now. I love working. I don't have a problem with interviews,
promotion and concerts. Actually, that's my addiction, playing live..."
Do you still do normal things, like shopping?
"I go shopping, I go to the park, as long as I don't let people know I'm
gonna be there. I go to the movies, especially matinees on a Monday. I sit
there, and I'm looking all around to check I haven't been spotted, but it's
always OK. You have to do these things, to keep yourself normal. This life
can get crazy - the limos, the press conferences, the traveling. It's all so
fascinating, but if you're not in control of your emotions, you can be
seduced in the wrong way. To remain normal you have to be spiritual, focused
and surround yourself by the right people, because one day (snapping with his
fingers), they could be your enemies."
Are you worried about kiss and tell stories?
(smiles) "There have been so many things said about me already, about being
gay or whatever, and listen - (whispers) I really don't have a problem with
sexuality. As far as I'm concerned, you can fantasize about me however you
want to. Show business is all about fantasies; go for it!"
Do you have much trouble with the paparazzi?
"They're at my house constantly. I live in a bay and unfortunately you can
see right into my backyard from the hospital parking lot that's nearby.
Although I haven't got anything to hide, I'm always checking around when I go
outside and I've caught them photographing me before, so I give them a little
wave to let them know I've spotted them. But the other day I got a little
scared as I was riding my bike along Miami Beach to my restaurant. I guess
someone at the restaurant must have phoned the paparazzi, because when I was
on my way home, I was literally harassed by these two guys. It's one thing to
do your job, but it's quite another to literally throw your car at someone!
They were shouting at me to stop so they could get a picture, and I was like,
'Dude, what's going on? Back off!'
So how's the restaurant going?
"It's called Casa Salsa, it's right on the ocean and it's really, really
good!"
Do celebrities stop by?
"Yeah, quite a few, but they're mainly Latin American artists and actors."
What about fans?
"I've had a few dancing on the tables with me!" (laughs)
Do you get loads of offers from ladies nowadays?
"Well, I don't really go to the sorts of places where people get the chance
to ask me out - like, I hate clubs. But when I do go to a club, I just get on
that floor and I'm dancing all night long - with you, with her, alone...I
don't care! I'll dance with whoever wants to dance with me and I'll go for
it! But if one of my songs came on I'd be, 'Right, it's time to go to the
bathroom!' "
Would you only date famous women now?
"It doesn't matter to me. I believe in chemistry. You could be walking down
the street, or you could be talking to someone who's famous, and then it's
like BOOM! And you know..."
So are you ready for marriage yet?
"I really can't wait to walk into my house and trip over a toy! That's my
fantasy - I want to have lots of little Ricky's running around, screaming and
calling me Daddy. But, no, I've got no plans for now. I'll let you know when
it's time..."
You haven't got a girlfriend, then?
"No, I'm alone at the moment. I broke up with my long-term girlfriend almost
a year ago, so I'm still there, you know. But my lack of a girlfriend is not
because I travel a lot or because it's difficult to have relationships in
this business - I think love is stronger than anything and if you present
yourself to a person the way you are, then they have to accept the whole
package. It's more about not having met the right person yet."
Which European lady would you like to go on a date with?
(laughs) "That's a difficult question! Mmm, let's see... Is Geri (ex-member
Spice Girls) single? She's gorgeous, and hasn't she been singing something
about, 'Where is my Latino man?' What, she's got a Spanish mother? I had no
idea she was of Spanish origin - so Geri speaks Spanish, does she? That's
really cool!"
Some people have said she's jumped on the whole Latino bandwagon thing...
"Oh, please! Tell her not to listen to those guys. Even if she wasn't part
Spanish and she just enjoyed it, she should go for it. It's so sad to think
that sometimes our happiness makes other people uncomfortable. You should
just be yourself, be who you are and enjoy it while you're here. Oh, man, now
I'm angry for her - she has to go present that song in PR!"
What does your mother think of all your sexy stage antics?
"My mother just loves it! She loves everything I do. But she'll see me on a
TV show or something and call me straight up and say, 'You're skinny, buddy -
you're not eating. What's going on?' But I guess that's a typical mom thing,
isn't it?"
Would you consider having plastic surgery?
"If I had to, I'd do it. I don't think it's a problem, and whatever it takes
to keep your self-esteem up, you should do it. There aren't any laws that you
have to follow - it's all about how you feel."
Have you got any tattoos?
(pulling the top of his trousers down) "Right here on my hip, and it was very
painful! I was 18, but it's my buddy and I don't regret it. It's a rose - not
very original, I know - with a purple heart that's bleeding a little. I want
to get another one, but I'm struggling with where to put it. I'm thinking
about my shoulder, my ankle, my chest, or my lower back, but we'll see."
Are you a typical hot-blooded Latin guy?
"I'm very territorial. I'm a jealous man - not possessive, though, when
you're jealous and possessive and jealous, dude, you need help! My main deal
is that I'm a total control freak! I have people I work with, managers,
agents, publicists. They have really good ideas, but at the end of the day,
I'm the one who says yes or no. For 5 years of my life, I was told what to
sing, what to wear, what haircut I could have, and it was great while it
lasted, but not anymore!"
Do you ever get lonely being on your own?
"I don't want to share the stage with anyone - it's all for me! I have my
friends and a very big phone bill so it's not a problem! Also, I always
travel with friends 'cause dressing rooms tend to get lonely at times. I'm
very lucky because the people I've known for like, 16 years, and they know me
so well so I don't feel judged by them."
So what's next, Rickster?
"Well, as you can see we're here in Puerto Rico now (looking at his watch),
and my last concert will start in about 15 minutes. Then we have a tour in
Europe in March and May. When my tour is done there, I'll go to Canada,
Mexico, and at last America again. So, it seems that we'll have a busy year
again!"
Do you ever worry about not being successful again?
"I know that one day I won't be, 'cause I know there'll come a time when I
won't have the energy to keep working like I'm doing now. I already know what
ups and downs are in this career and I'm ready for them. That's why you have
to live for the moment and just enjoy everything you do..."
And with another huuuuuge sexy hug, Ricky is whisked out of the dressing room
to start his amazing concert. The busiest man in pop just got busier...
Yes! I usually sing romantic songs because it is in me. I believe a flower
can say more than a thousand words. Love can bring problems with it as well
though, but� I
still sing songs about love on my album. It is important because it is part
of life... passion is the word!
You had a big hit with the love song "Maria" - is it the name of a secret
love?
(Laughs) Everyone thought that! I was asked so many times, "Who is Maria?"
The truth is there is no one special person. We used the name because she
could be anybody, from anywhere in the world. Maria is a femme fatale!
Have you had a lot of girlfriends?
No, I have only had three long-term relationships. When I'm in love with a
woman, I want to do everything for her. I want to buy her flowers and read
her poems. I have a lot of respect for women!
What role do women play in your life?
A woman for me is like a saint. Without one particular woman, my mother, I
wouldn't be here in the first place! I love her more than my life and treat
her with a lot of respect. If I were in love with a woman, the same would be
true with her. At the moment though, I live on my own in Los Angeles with my
dog Icaro, a Labrador.
What would your ideal woman be like?
I'm very much into blonde girls. When love strikes though, it doesn't really
matter. My ideal woman would definitely have to like traveling, because
that's what I do. I'd want to be able to share that with the person I love.
Is it difficult to make a relationship work while you're in the music
business?
I have been in love before while I was working hard on my career. It is very
important to find a girl who is open, someone who admires what you do,
someone who is not jealous.
Have you ever found anyone like this?
I had a girlfriend for four years when I was 18. Her name is Rebecca, she was
from Mexico. When we first met I felt a 'Bang!' inside me. It was love!
Unfortunately, it didn't last as we both had to go our separate ways.
How do you feel about people calling you a sex symbol?
It's their opinion, what can I do? I'm not going to fight what they think. I
don't take off my shirt, that would be really saying I am a sex symbol!
Do you worry people like you only for your looks?
The way I look doesn't have anything to do with the audience. I just like
looking good. I like clothing... it's part of my personality.
What's the reason for your huge success?
There isn't a sure way to achieve success, otherwise everybody would be
successful. I'd say I've got where have through a lot of work. I try not be
mediocre. At the same time I try to keep my feet on the ground and not get
caught up by all the fantasy that surrounds the music business. I hope this
is only the beginning of my career. It has been a very positive beginning.
How can this be a beginning after 15 years on the road?
It's a way of thinking. It's a way of keeping myself motivated. I've met so
many artists who just relax after they've heard their song on the radio. They
say, "Ah, perfect!" and then rest. I don't do that. I get straight back to
work.
Who or what has inspired your music?
Different things provide inspiration for me. Sometimes it can come from
sitting in front of an ocean or walking around the city looking at people's
faces, trying to figure out what they're thinking.� One thing is for
certain... I need to carry a pen with me all the time.
Do you consider yourself a teen artist?
It's up to me to convince people that there is a little bit more to me than
that. I don't want to be seen as a teenager who makes music. I want to be
seen as someone who creates music with a message.
What are your dreams for the future?
Well, out there somewhere in the music business is my wife - hopefully. Money
is not important; family is far more important. In about four years, I would
like to have a family. It could happen at any time. I could meet my ideal
woman tomorrow and suddenly I'm in love and all the waiting and romance will
have been worth it!
