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Ricky Martin officially came out of the closet today on his website, as he’s in the process of cobbling together his memoirs and, well, how was he every going to skirt around that issue? “I am proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man,” the singer wrote. “I am very blessed to be who I am.” It’s interesting timing, to the say the least. And, as always when pop stars open up about being gay, it raises a few points.
“A few months ago I decided to write my memoirs, a project I knew was going to bring me closer to an amazing turning point in my life,” Martin writes on his site. “From the moment I wrote the first phrase I was sure the book was the tool that was going to help me free myself from things I was carrying within me for a long time. Things that were too heavy for me to keep inside. Writing this account of my life, I got very close to my truth.”
Okay, first of all, hooray for the liberating catharsis of creative expression. But, damn, Ricky—couldn’t you have come out when you were on top (ahem—of the music world, that is), rather than now, years after the fact, when you have a book to sell down the line?
On one hand, we want to applaud Martin for his courage. And, make no mistake, there have likely been several people in his camp who were more in control of Ricky’s sexuality—i.e. his honesty about it and disclosure of it—behind the scenes than he ever was. After all, Ricky Martin isn’t just an individual who croons into a microphone. As a 25-year+ showbiz veteran, he is a brand and a commodity.
But on the other hand, we kind of wish the Rickster had just lived the vida loca by taking control and ‘fessing up about being gay a decade ago, when he experienced his huge crossover mainstream success. Coming out now in the same statement that mentions—no, make that leads with—the fact that he’s writing a book just seems a bit lame. And for Gods’ sake, he doesn’t even mention being gay until the very last sentence of his seven-paragraph post.
It sort of brings to mind George Michael—who, granted, came out through different circumstances back in 1998. But even his big MTV interview on the subject that year served a dual purpose, the second part of which was to promote his hits package Ladies & Gentleman: The Best Of George Michael.
And when Lance Bass came out in 2006—years after NSync had parted ways—it was just ahead of his then-boyfriend Reichen Lehmkuhl releasing his own memoir, Here’s What We’ll Say: Growing Up, Coming Out, and the U.S. Air Force Academy. Ditto for Ian “H” Watkins of British pop group Steps, who only stepped out of the closet after the band split and he was about to enter the house on the UK version of Celebrity Big Brother.
All this said, we do have to remember that these examples were each years before the phenomenon that is Adam Lambert happened. Of course, who’s to say that Ricky couldn’t have been the one to usher in a new era of acceptance for same-sex-oriented pop stars had he been more vocal about his personal life in, say, 1999 or 2000?
“These years in silence and reflection made me stronger and reminded me that acceptance has to come from within and that this kind of truth gives me the power to conquer emotions I didn’t even know existed,” reads part of Martin’s statement, just before he mentions being gay.
That’s true. And perhaps that really is the bottom line: to each their own.
So kudos for the admission, Ricky. We can’t say we were really shocked. But it sure would have been refreshing to hear you say this years ago—you know, when you didn’t have any product tied in with it.
Bitter, party one, your table is ready.
Bitter, party of one (i.e. Daw), your table is ready.
Coming out as gay *now*? I actually thought Ricky Martin already came out something like 8 or 10 years ago, maybe shortly after that La Vida Loca CD. I remember hearing or reading about it somewhere then. Whatever. (shrugs)
Bitter? Naw. Just would have been cool to have Ricky shake his bon bon as a “proud homosexual man” rather than so after the fact.
As much as I would like people in the public light to come out, it's not my decision. As long as someone doesn't lie about it, I'm fine if they don't come out.
I very much doubt that he came out just to sell a book. People come out at a time that's right for their own person. I understand the desire for celebrities to come out earlier to further a cause within the gay community, to raise awareness, change stereotypes and so on, but I think they're entitled to do so when they feel comfortable. Besides, having read some of Ricky's tweets he doesn't seem the kind of person who would treat something so intimate in a trivial manner.
Actually Reichen's book was written and published before Lance was forced out of the closet. Fire your fact checker. I applaud Ricky for coming out on his own time. And if he wants to sell books, more power to him. It's capitalism. Not opportunism. Where's your book? At least he wrote one.
Let's just celebrate and applaud his decision.
Don't be bitter please.
No buts this time…
SSIG, Lance's “People” mag coming out story was published in August '06:
http://www.people.com/people/archive/issue/0,,7...
And while I'm sure Reichen's book was written prior, it was released a month after Lance came out:
http://www.amazon.com/Heres-What-Well-Say-Growi...
But….!
I am so happy for Ricky finally coming out. I am sure a huge weight has come off himself. As to why now & not then….to each his own. It was his struggle & his choice to make as to when he would be strong enough to disclose this info. He was a young man of a different time & upbringing than Adam. I am sure it has less to do w/ selling books than it does with the perfect time for him. And as far as being a has been just because he doesn't sell in US doesn't mean he isn't still relevant in the Spanish world. The US isn't the only place on the planet lol!
well better late then never like we dint know that one!!!
Good for him im proud he took that step its still not easy even in
2010!!!
lol…i thought he came out a long time ago. Adam Lambert is amazing. Who cares if any of them are gay.
In a statement posted via Twitter in both Spanish and English, and later confirmed with his representative, Martin said: “I am proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man. I am very blessed to be who I am.”
http://bit.ly/cWQCog
I understand where you care coming from Daw. However this is a well known star and one can never predict what will happen to someone and their career if they decide to be honest. I am also aware that to move forward that ppl need to come out so that we can get to a place where being gay is no big deal. So with that being said, anyone that is a high profile person needs to weigh carefully of possible outcomes. If there is a major back lash and the star is no longer held in high popularity, than it is that person who has to go through that journey. At the end of the day, we all need to pay our bills and survive so when a person makes this move I feel it should be on their own merit and not be pushed out there.
So what if he has a book coming out. Obviously the publicity will help with the sales, so why shouldnt he benefit ??? Not a perfect world but appreciate your prespective.
“When the money's gone…”
Ricky is a very honest person, but accepting his homosexuality in front of all his fans was not an easy step to take. He had to fill himself with strength to do it. I love him as a human being, wheather he is straight or homosexual. If the world had more people like him with such a great heart,for sure, it would be a better place to live.
i’m so with Ali on this one…he definitely came out (or someone definitely outed him) YEARS ago. Why does nobody remember this? It wasn’t even made into as big of a deal back then by the media. Maybe Ricky thought we all forgot..?