WE STILL DEAL WITH HOMOPHOBIA: MARTIN
Singer Ricky Martin shares how an acting project taught him ‘to be brave’ and ‘proud of who you are’
Singer Ricky Martin, who made his acting comeback with Ryan Murphy’s American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace, says that people are still homophobic.
The Livin’ la Vida Loca singer, who came out as gay in 2010, said he decided to do the series because he wants to do projects which can make some difference in the society.
“At this point in my life, I need to tell stories that make a difference... I was working with Ryan, incredible directors, great writers, and, of course, an incredible group of actors that were there with me at all times. So, all I wanted was to talk on behalf of those that aren’t being heard,” Martin said.
“Unfortunately, we still deal with homophobia and I think it’s not how he (Gianni Versace) died, it’s why we allowed it to happen,” he told The Hollywood Reporter on portraying Antonio D’Amico, the partner of designer Gianni Versace in the series.
Martin, who hid his sexuality from the public in fear that it would destroy his career, said he and Versace had the same struggle.
The 46-year-old, who announced in January 2018 that he and Jwan Yosef were married, said, “He was being brave enough to come out of the closet and to introduce his partner in public. I tell you this and my heart sped up because I went through the same thing as a closeted gay man. Do you know how many lovers I had that I hid from the public, because I was afraid?”
“Gianni Versace went through the same thing and for me, that was a lesson. You have to be strong, you have to be brave, you have to be yourself, and you have to be proud of who you are and not be afraid,” Martin said.
Do you know how many lovers I hid from the public, that I did not allow anyone to see, because I was afraid? RICKY MARTIN SINGERACTOR