Having already achieved massive stardom in nearly
every corner of the world except the U.S., Puerto Rico native Ricky
Martin now appears destined to become a household name in America as
well. Thanks in large part to a show-stopping performance of his worldwide
smash hit (and 1998 World Cup theme song), La Copa de la Vida, at
the Grammy Awards show in February 1999, Martin is being hailed as
the frontrunner in a vanguard of Latin pop stars that includes Jennifer Lopez,
Luis Miguel, Enrique Iglesias, and Chris Perez.
Not only has his 1998 Spanish-language album,
Vuelve, vaulted into the Billboard Top 100 (it still resides at No.
1 on the Billboard Latin 50 chart), but the debut single (Livin' la Vida
Loca) from Martin's first English-language album has become the
biggest selling No. 1 single in the history of Columbia Records. And if that
isn't enough, capping this onslaught of attention is a ringing endorsement
from Madonna, who leapt at the chance to do a duet with Martin on
his English-language debut.
Thus far, Martin appears to be handling
his success with great aplomb and a sense of proportion. He turned down a
chance to star opposite Jennifer Lopez in a film remake of West Side
Story, on the grounds that the movie helps perpetuate Puerto Rican
stereotypes.
He also continues to maintain a relationship with
his longtime girlfriend, Rebecca de Alba (who hosts a TV show in Mexico),
and is attempting to take the long view with regard to his career.
"I want to do this forever," he recently told USA
Today. "I don't want to be the hit of the summer, and, hopefully, with a
lot of humility, we can talk in 10 years and I'll still be
here."