Ricky Martin Says His Dad Encouraged Him To Come Out As Gay

Ricky Martin Says His Father Encouraged Him To Publicly Come Out As Gay

Ricky Martin was in the closet when his career first blew up. Thanks to his father who finally convinced him to come out of the closet. Speaking to Andy Cohen, Ricky said his team didn’t want him to come out over fear that it would finish his career

In a new interview on SiriusXM’s Andy Cohen Live, Martin recounted how his father, Enrique, encouraged him to take a leap of faith and come out as gay to his fans so that he can live his truth.

The Puerto Rican superstar said his professional team encouraged him to continue concealing his sexuality. “‘This is gonna be the end of your career,'” Ricky recalled being told. “‘You don’t have to tell the world. Your friends know, your family know. Why do you need to stand in front of the camera and talk about it?'”

Fortunately for him, his father understands the importance of coming out, especially after the singer welcomed his twin sons, Matteo and Valentino, in 2008.

“He said, ‘What are you gonna [do], teach your kids to lie? You gotta be open. You gotta go out… I want to help you. How can we do this?'” Martin recounted. “And I’m like, ‘All right, Dad, I’m working on it. Gimme a second. I don’t know how. I don’t know if it’s through an interview. I don’t know if I want to write a letter and tweet it. I don’t know. Gimme a break. It’ll come.'”

The Grammy winner came out to his mom at age 18, “She was concerned because she was, ‘Oh my God, I just don’t want you to hurt and people out there are really cruel,’ and so it took her a minute to accept it,” Martin said.

“I wish I could come out 20 times. It felt amazing. Of course, I started crying like a baby. You know, I pressed send and I was like, ‘Oh, that’s it?'” he added. “My assistant who’s still my assistant, Paco, he was next to me and I’m like, ‘I think I need a hug.'”