Reading Room
Newspaper and magazine interviews
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Reading Room Newspaper and magazine interviews |
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MENUDO! MIAMI! MOVIES! LIVIN' LA VIDA RICKY! Think you know everything about Ricky Martin? Did you know that he doesn't think he's sexy? Have you heard about his art collection? And what's all this about a girlfriend? Well, read on, as BIG HIT gets upside inside out with the lush Latino ... |
RED HOT CHILI PEPPER! "The Cup of Life" catapulted Ricky Martin to mega-stardom, now "Livin La Vida Loca" is sending him to the stratosphere! No longer just a superstar; Ricky's now a red hot chili pepper -- and he's talking to TV HITS! |
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Readers Q & A |
Ricky Martin has truly scored with his hits Cup Of Life and Maria. But there's heaps more interesting stuff about this latino babe. Here's just a low facts... |
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TALKING TO RICKY MARTIN
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BIG HIT June 1999
How does it make you feel when so many people describe you as
sexy?
Well, that's me! It's in my blood! There's nothing I can do about it! In my
culture, we touch a lot, we hug, we kiss. The music I grew up listening to, the music of
Latin America, is very sensual. Look at the Samba, the Tango and the Salsa. They are
sensual dances, yet not so sexual. I think sensuality and sexuality are two completely
different things. Sensuality is something I'm born with and sexuality I leave for my
bedroom. I see myself as sensuous, not sexy.
So, what is sexy to you?
Prudence is sexy to me. Nothing with excess is sexy to me. Discretion is sexy to me.
That's it.
What's the most embarrassing thing that's ever happened to you?
A lady friend of mine gave me this figure from Cuba and it was the most ugly thing. She
had left it on the desk in my dressing-room and when she entered the room I said,
"Did you see this? How ugly is this?" And she says, "You don't like
it?" "No," I said,, "Who'd like this? Look at this ugly nose! Look at
these ugly feet! Who would give this to someone? I can't believe it." he said,
"I brought it to you from Cuba." Oh, I wanted to die! You've got to be prudent.
That was so not sexy.
What do you like the best about yourself?
Than I am a good friend. Friendship is important to me.
And the least?
That I'm too hard on myself. It's something that I'm learning to deal with. I don't give
myself any credit. I punish myself. It's part of my drive as well.
How many in your family?
I have five siblings and 36 cousins. I'm like Celine Dion! It's crazy.
Who inspired you to get into music?
What do your parents do for living?
My mother is an accountant and my father is a psychologist.
So you get free therapy, then?
That doesn't work -- no, no, no. My father and I have a complicated relationship.
You grew p in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Do you often go back home to
see your family?
Yes, or they come and visit me on the road.
Where do you live now?
I have a home in Miami with a bay as backyard. I have two dogs, a Golden Retriever and one
Chihuahua. Their names are Ikaro and Pitagne.
If your house was on fire, what's the first thing you would save?
My paintings. I love art. I collect. If my painting were burned, I'd be in the street
crying! I have one painting called Hunger that my grandmother did. And another one called
Loneliness, also painted by her. Those are my favourites.
Do you have a busy social life in Miami?
No, when I'm home I don't want to go anywhere. I just want to stay there. Most if my
friends live in Miami. I invite them over and we just stay at my home and watch movies and
do nothing.
Who's your best friend and why?
I don't have one best friend. I have a group of best friends and we all mean the same to
each other.
Do you have many friends outside the music industry?
All my friends are outside the industry. I talk about friends I've known since I was 12
years old, people who have really affected my life n a very positive way. They are there,
always. Of course, I have some friends in the industry as well. When I'm going through a
bad moment, I talk to them. But they are not long-term friends.
Are you good at sports?
No, I'm really bad. I was good at running -- I was the fastest runner in school -- but
when it came to basketball, the ball played with me. When it came to volleyball, the same
thing. And I never did tennis. I love surfing, though. I like rock climbing. But those are
more alternative sports. I like to live on the edge. (laughs)
Do you read a lot?
I read newspapers sometimes. Or literature. But mostly spiritual books.
What's your favourite TV show?
I've never been a TV fan. I watch MTV, VH1 and all the shows I'm doing later this summer.
That's it.
Do you like watching yourself on TV?
No, I never see anything good. I'm always punishing myself: "You should have done
that! What are you doing?" Oh man! I let other people tell me what I should change.
What's your favourite food?
My favourite food is the one my mama makes, but since my mama isn't always with us, I have
to say pasta.
Do you have a favourite piece of jewellery?
Yes, this bracelet that I got in Nepal. A Tibetan mantra. A mantra fro balance and wisdom
and future life. I always wear it except when I sleep.
What has been the happiest moment of your life?
Professionally, when I was the prince at the carnival in Rio de Janiero. It was so
beautiful. I was so happy. Privately, I've had a lot of happy moments. I don't want to
sound dramatic, but if I were to die tomorrow, I'd want them to write on my gravestone,
not that I lived from 1971 until 1999, but the minutes of happiness that I've had. I want
them to go through my diaries and read about my happy moments. I write about the special
moments.
What's been the saddest?
I've had a couple, but I'm not sharing them with the public. If I answered you, I'd just
be lying. So let's not go there.
Have you ever been in a car accident?
Two years ago we had a car accident in Italy. We were late for a show and it was raining
heavily and we crashed a hundred feet away from a cliff. It wasn't my turn to go yet.
Who do you most admire?
Sting, I admire professionally. Personally, I admire my manager. He is a warrior and a
liar. he lies so good! (laughs) No, he's not a liar, but he's brilliant.
You have a very positive, happy image.
Why would you show up and throw out bad energy? There is enough depression out there
already. If you are an entertainer, you should bring positive messages and affect people
in a positive way, not a negative way. Good energy is going to come back to you. I believe
in karma.
Do you ever feel lonely on tour?
That's why my phone bill is so high -- I call friends. But I've learnt to live with
myself. I've learnt to be alone. Before, I would walk into a room and turn on television
automatically, just to feel some company. But now I'm doing my yoga and I'm feeling more
centred.
Is it hard in your profession to be in love?
Because of my career, I can't be in love -- what?! People say's it's hard on a
relationship when you tour around so much, but I don't think so. I don't want to blame my
profession. Love conquers everything.
What is your ambition?
I want to do so many things in my life. I want to write a musical. I want to produce and
direct films some day and eventually be a theatre producer. And I want to be a father as
well. I want to have a family.
TV HITS June 1999
You sing, you dance and you act. Do you have any other tricks up
your muscular sleeves?
I love languages. I'm fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, English, Italian and
French!
Is it hard to keep a level head when you've had so much success?
This business can get crazy! When a lot of people are telling you you're great, it
can get you a little messed up if you aren't in control. I wanna stay the same and in 10,
20 years go back to that little kid that would ride his bike around the neighbourhood and
ask him -- "Hey - are you proud of who you've become?"
We hear that you've been working with Madonna recently.....
Hopefully, there will be a duet on this album with her. We've been locked in the
studio creating. It's been fascinating to work with someone so talented, so smart.
Is she scary?
No, not at all. She's a legend! She's a living legend!
Do you have a name for your new album yet?
Believe it or not... no! We've been through so many... "Around The World In A
Day", "Spanish Eyes", "Ricky Martin", "Private
Emotion"... (laughs)
Was making an English album more difficult than making a Spanish
one?
I have had the opportunity to record in different languages, so it was not a
problem. You know, language should not be an issue. But still, if it's about communicating
-- let's do it in Chinese if we have to! (laughs)
What are the names of some songs on the album?
"You Stay With Me", "I Am Made Of You, "Private Emotion",
Temple of Desire", Counting the Minutes", Almost a Love Song"...
And your favourite?
"I Am Made Of You" -- without a doubt. I just came back from India and I
had all sorts of these spiritual awakenings.
During your acting stint on General Hospital, did you miss
performing live?
Yeah, being on stage is addictive. You need that immediate reaction. Would I do it
again today? I'd say no, because my priority is music -- this is my baby!
What do you want to do when you next get down our way?
I really wanna go to the coral reef there sometime. And Perth too.
Are you into scuba diving?
I do. And I surf, too! I really wanna surf there.
So we should keep a close eye out for you on the beach?
All right! (laughs)
CLEO August 1998
Ricky Martin is the boy next door - literally.
Since performing the official World Cup'98 song, "The Cup Of Life" (or "La
Copa De La Vida") in France last month, the Puerto Rican-bom singer has been seen in
every second household around the world. What's just as surprising is that in Australia,
where footy rules and soccer, like subtitles, is what you get on SBS, the song recently
reached number one in the music charts, following closely on the success of his previous
single, "Maria".
Martin's "Spanglish" (Spanish and English) singing may be new to our shores, but
the 26-year-old is actually a veteran of the industry. He began his career at the age of
five doing TV commercials before joining the all-boy teenage singing and dancing group,
Menudo, at 12. Five years later, he left the band and started acting in Latin American
sitcoms before attracting a bigger audience with his three-year stint on General Hospital
in 1994. Martin, in pale trousers, a snug knitted top, and with tousled, just-out-of-bed
hair, talked to CLEO about "Maria", music and love. Oh, and in case you were
wondering, he is just as good-looking in the flesh.
You're here to promote 'The Cup Of Life', but how does it feel to have 'Maria' still in
the charts even though you released it three years ago?
It's great. It's like the song has its own life and I'm not going to interfere.
"Maria" was picked up first in Latin America and then, in France, it became the
biggest-sefling single last year. When I released [the album] Vuelve, I received a call
asking me to do something for World Cup '98, so I did "The Cup Of Life" and in
some countries, like Australia, I added "Maria" to the CD as well.
Who is Maria?
She was a very intense computer program. I wanted to get closer to my roots, to my
culture. We started digging around, looking for sounds and rhythms on the computer and
that's how it came about - it wasn't any specific girl. I mean, Maria could be anyone -
even someone's dog. It's not about someone special. I can be very romantic - stupidly
romantic, actually - but not in this case.
Have there been girls who have inspired songs?
Not just songs, but whole albums. Unfortunately, it's usually after you break up with
someone and the pain is still raw that you find the need to express it in a very dramatic
way. That's when it becomes music.
How far would you, go for love?
Years ago, I would have given up everything and would have done anything for love - but
not now. Maybe that's because I haven't met the right woman.
Have you ever serenaded a girl?
You know, in Puerto Rico it's illegal. Because we're so loud, people would complain if a
girl was being serenaded at 3 am. But I lived in Mexico City for five-and-a-half years and
it's legal there, so sometimes I would go to a plaza full of Mariachi bands and we would
get a bunch of us together and go to a friend's house to dance, sing and play. It wasn't
actually a serenade, but it could get romantic.
Do you believe in destiny?
I think my success has very little to do with destiny. This industry is a chess game and
you have to know how to move the pieces to go forward. I want to do this forever, and it's
not destiny but making the right choices that will give my career a future.
You say forever but would you feel that way if you weren't this
successful?
Of course, yes. I know that one day my career will ask for a pause and this will become a
part-time job. What I thought was that I'd spend six months of each year on the stage and
the rest of the year I'd spend resting, writing, maybe even directing, because that's
something I'd love to do. But, in the meantime, I'll just keep working.
How do you respond to the rumours that you're Julio [lgiesiasl's
love child?
[Laughs] Where did you read that? julio is someone that I respect a lot. I thought I was a
workaholic but Mr Iglesias is amazing and with women he is number one.
Do you think Latin lovers deserve their reputation?
I'm Latin and I'm also a lover, but I don't know. It's funny because, to some people,
being Latin means passion, blood, heat, tragedy, and yet that's all very Shakespearean and
Shakespeare wasn't Latin. He wrote Romeo And juliet - which is about killing yourself to
be with your love - but he was an Englishman. Who knows?
So it's not a stereotype you would encourage?
When it comes to being Latin, it's not as bad as saying that we are all the equivalent of
West Side Story - with the gangs, the mafla, the cocaine and stuff. So, given a choice, I
guess it's better to be known as a lover than a fighter. I'm very proud of my culture and
I understand that stereotypes come from ignorance. The best way to change minds is to
teach people.
What incident made you a man?
When I signed my first cheque. I was 17 years old and I'd just moved to New York, alone. I
told my mother I was going to NY for a vacation. Then, when I landed at the airport, I
called her and told her I was staying. She went crazy. I started looking for an apartment,
furniture and things, but it was when I opened an account and signed the first cheque for
the rent that I thought, 'Okay, this is it, I'm on my own now'. It felt amazing.
If you could have anything, what would it be?
I would bring all my friends with me every time I went on the road. And, some day, I'll do
that.
SMASH HITS September 1998
Who’s Maria anyway?
"Maria is a girl who plays with your head. She first says 'yes' and then says 'no',
and that can drive us crazy. She's no one in particular. I've been out with girls like
Maria."
Ricky almost didn’t make it onto the World Cup album!
"The World Cup album had already been recorded and was about to be released when the
head honcho called and asked if I wanted to do something for the World Cup. I said yes
straight away. Mixing music and sports is a beautiful thing."
Ricky thinks Australia is fab!
"Maria's done so well in Australia, it's amazing. I'm really impressed - I was not
ready for what's been happening in Australia. When I got here they gave me the Platinum
award!"
He loves Australian movies!
"I like Australian films because they're a little bit more realistic. My dream is to
play a mentally ill person. I like PJ Hogan (Muriel's Wedding). My favourite movies are My
Best Friend's Wedding, and I love, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.
He’s just starting modelling for Armani!
"I've never done modelling before and he (Giorgio Armani) invited me. I've been
working for him for the past year - he gives me the clothes and I wear them. I really do
like fashion. I would like fashion even if I was not in this business. I like to know
what's happening."
He fancies working with talented brunette Euro-babes (and Tina
Arena)!
“I met Tina and worked with her and she's a great girl. We will work together in the
future. If I were to be in a movie, I would love to work with lsabelia Rossellini and
Juliette Binoche."
Home is where the heart is!
"I speak to my family a lot. My whole family lives in Puerto Rico. I live in Miami.
Puerto Rico is home, my house is Miami. My family’s my balance. My friends are the
ones I had at school. I would love to bring my friends on the road."
He doesn’t want to be a star!
“I wouldn't want to be the star of a film. I want a good part and that's all I want.
I can have a five-minute part, and make those five minutes mine and make them very
intense."
He’ll be around for ages!
"I don't want this to just be a passing thing - I want to come back to Australia in
10 to 15 years and still be doing music. That's what I'm working for."
His Dad helped him get into showbiz!
"When I was six years old I said to my father, Daddy, I want to be an artist.' He was
like, 'Really, how can I help you?' He found me my first audition for a commercial.
He was in a Latino boy band!
"I was in Menudo between the ages of and 17. It was a phenomenal experience.
Unfortunately, the Menudo rule was that you had to leave the band once you reached 17. The
last concert was in Puerto Rico, my home town. I am a man who cried, and I cried a
lot."
He’s a bit of a nutter!
"Today I woke up at 6.30 in the morning. I stayed in my room and enjoyed the silence.
This life is so crazy, it's very hectic, surrounded by a lot of people, the travelling,
blah blah blah. and things can get off balance. 'For me the best medicine I to talk to
myself."
BIG HIT February 1999
Do you like "South Park"?
Angela Markotich Qld.
Yes - it's a great show! Those guys are crazy!
Do you brothers Fernando, Pucho, Daniel, Vane and Eric have a
passion for music and acting like yourself?
Sussie and Janise, NSW.
Being born in Puerto Rico - yes, that makes us very passionate towards music, but
they don't dare to go in front of a camera.
Latin people are known to be hot lovers and real romantics. Do you
fit into this category?
Sussie and Janise, NSW.
Yes!
What would you ask for if you got three wishes from a genie?
Anastasia, Indonesia
1. To remove cynicism in the planet.
2. Cure AIDS.
3. Be happy.
Do you work out?
Diana, Singapore
Yes, once in a while.
How do you keep your teeth so white?
Mrs Nick Carter, WA
Clean them everyday.
What brand are your clothes?
Yasemin Koken, Vic
I prefer Armani
How many languages do you speak?
Katie, ACT
Three -- Spanish, English, Portuguese. 1/4 French/Italian.
What do you wear to bed?
Avery, NSW
PJs
Were you born a good dancer?
Aida, Norway
Thank you.
Who do you most admire?
Bianca, NSW
Harvey Keitel.
In which language do you prefer to sing?
Jing, NSW
Spanish
What's the weirdest and wackiest thing you've done in your life?
Barbara Milne, Vic
To remember what I should forget.
Do you like to play soccer?
Sam Shearing, Qld.
Yes!
Where is your tattoo?
Grace Mussalli, NSW
On my hipbone.
Do you get sick of listening to the World Cup song or any of your
songs after singing them so often?
Aurora Wattes, Indonesia
I know that moment will come eventually!
Como estas usted? (How are you, sir?)
Patricia, NSW
Muy bien gracias. (Very well, thank you.)
What is your favourite Asian dish?
Michelle Byrne, WA
I love Adobo (a pork/chicken dish with spicy vinaigrette sauce,
from the) Philippines.
What is your most desired fantasy?
Krissy, NSW
Love, island, sun, friends, iced water, music ... get it?