With two multi-platinum solo albums, sold-out concert dates and success in live theatre, television and film - including the highest accolade of the Mexican motion picture industry - Ricky Martin has become a bona fide superstar in Latin America. Since January of 1994 American TV audiences have also embraced the young, handsome performer in his role on the perennially popular ABC daytime drama 'General Hospital'. Blessed with charisma, charm and a multi-cultural appeal, the performer is refreshingly humble about his success and grateful that hard work, talent and fortune have taken him so far... all by the age of twenty five.
Martin's US introduction as an actor has certainly not come at the expense of his music. In 'General Hospital' he portrayed Miguel Morez, an orderly-turned-bartender who indulges his passion as a weekend singer. "He's passionate towards everything - music, school, friends - and he hates injustice", says Martin, whose detailed character rises above the stereotypical Puerto Rican of television past. Yet Martin's musical talents shine brightest through his work as a songwriter, singer and musician. His third solo album, a compilation of 'alternative' songs reflecting pop, rock and Latin influences is entitled 'A Medio Vivir'.
Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Ricky Martin first revealed a love for the performing arts through school plays and choir. By age six he had begun to appear in television commercials, becoming comfortable with the camera and maturing in his craft through acting and singing lessons. Though divorced, his parents were always supportive of his ambitions.
At age twelve Martin became a member of Menudo, the teenage group whose singing, dancing and stage presence electrified young audiences worldwide. For five years Martin lived his dream, performing at music festivals and sold-out concerts on every continent. In 1989 he returned to Puerto Rico to finish high school, moving to New York after graduation to enjoy six months of well deserved tranquility!
FROM MENUDO TO BROADWAY ALONG A DAZZLING ROUTE
Ricky Martin's career has always been governed by significant moments. He began in Menudo, the most popular youthful Latin American group of all time; he made his first entry into North American television through 'General Hospital' the longest running soap opera in the US; and he made his debut on Broadway with a starring role in nothing less than 'Les Miserables', one of the biggest selling and most highly acclaimed works of the world capital of musical theatre. At just 24 years of age - he was born December 24, 1971, - the Puerto Rican singer and actor has reached what very few older more experienced Latin American stars have achieved, making the jump from Spanish-speaking market to the North American and established himself in both environments with success and fame.
It was at the age of 12 when he made his first contact with music, as a member of Menudo. "I didn't want to be a singer. What I wanted was to be in Menudo. I wanted to give concerts, to travel, to meet the pretty girls. I had been a fan of the group since it began in 1977. I was always stubbornly determined to be one of them, until the time of the audition arrived. The first two times I auditioned, they told me no, that I was too little. Ricky Melendez left, and I was one of the ones hoping to replace him. They searched for his replacement for two years, until finally they gave me a third audition and I turned out to be the one they chose."
Before Menudo, his life was going along quite normally in his native San Juan, Puerto Rico, in the heart of a middle-class family. "My childhood was very healthy, near to my parents, who were divorced. I did whatever I wanted; I lived with my mother; if I wanted to be with her; and with my father in the same way. I had the same affection from both of them. Although they were no longer married, they were very good friends. I always went to Catholic schools and when I got into Menudo, I had tutors from the Department of Public Instruction of Puerto Rico".
He was with Menudo for exactly 5 years, from July 10 1984 until July 10 1989. Being in the group, he learned what it is to spend long hours in a recording studio, to go from one place to another in the world on incessant tours, and to perform on stage. He also had the opportunity to do theatre and soap operas, thus discovering what has come to be his second passion; acting. "When I left Menudo, it was my intention to go into acting full time. I disconnected myself from the artistic world for a year, for reflection, catharsis, and maturity. It was necessary because my first five years in the business were pure adrenaline, very intense. The experience of Menudo turned out to be wonderful, it gave me more than it took out of me. It taught me what it is to be disciplined, something that I still practice today."
Upon finishing his brief professional interval, he traveled to Mexico to work as an actor. "There, everything that I did in acting had to do with music. I participated in a soap opera, 'Alcanzar una estrealla II', where I also sang the theme song; and I acted in a show called 'Mom Loves Rock' and that fascinated me".
During the three and a half years that he lived in Mexico, he played actor-singer for only one year. "Later I devoted myself completely to music. Being on stage with the group Munecos de Papel, (made up of members of the cast of 'Alcanzar una estrella II'), which drew crowds of up to 65 thousand people for a single concert, I realized that my calling was music, what a beautiful thing it was to sing. That's where it all began".
The rest of the story is already known. Since he began as a soloist, Ricky Martin has become one of the most popular, award-winning and concerted artists, not only in Latin America, but also in the United States, where he became known as an actor in the eternal "General Hospital", one of the most highly rated and longest-running television series.
The experience of "General Hospital" evidently turned out to be a fruitful one for him, although he believes that it is a stage that he has surpassed. "Who could complain about having spent an hour a day for three years on (North) American television. To introduce myself and become know, it was good; even today, not being on the show, I meet people on the street who ask me when I will return. I don't believe that I'll do it. I think that, modesty aside, I am at another level. I have made it to Broadway, which is something so lovely. I have made a quantum leap".
Thanks to the popularity he earned on (North) American TV, he was asked to act in "Les Miserables". In the musical adaptation of the classic by French poet, playwright and novelist Victor Hugo, he played Marlo, one of the main characters. The critics favoured him with laudatory commentary, citing his powerful stage presence, his acting ability, and his notable qualities as a singer. "I believe that my theatrical debut in New York could not have been more interesting".
After finishing "Les Miserables" and having toured in Florida, Los Angeles, Texas, Hawaii and Spain, Ricky's efforts are now centered upon the preparation of his fourth album. His latest Latin album, Vuelve is certified platinum as he begins his quest to reach stardom in the United States where he was relatively unknown before the 1999 Grammys. His stunning performance created buzz and increased album sales for Vuelve largely. In fact, it led to a duet with Madonna which might be included on his next album, self-titled Ricky Martin. His first single off that album Livin' La Vida Loca is getting mainstream airplay by top 40 radio stations and video airplay by VH1 and MTV. It seems only a matter of time before Ricky Martin achieves worldwide success.
Biography Provided By IMusic
Connie's Music Page also contributed to part of this biography