More than two decades after scoring his worldwide breakout smash latin pop hit, Ricky Martin is still Livin' La Vida Loca.
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In the years since, the Grammy-winning Puerto Rican artist has continued challenging himself creatively, case in point his new acting role on one of the most talked-about TV shows of the season The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story revolving around the Italian fashion icon, whose life was accompanied by one great concealment and ended in heartbreaking tragedy.
Having come out in early 2010, Martin admits he knows a thing or two about the damage of concealment.
"I'm a gay man that lived in the closet for many years, so to see a scene in the show where Gianni actually talks about coming out is something that, obviously, moved me in many ways", said the artist is an interview promoting the new mini-series, "The fact that even though everybody knew about his relationship with his boyfriend Antonio, they still couldn't be as open back then as I am right now with my relationship, is something that really frustrates me".
Antonio D'Amico was Versace's partner leading up to his murder on the steps on his lavish Miami mansion by spree killer Andrew Cunanan, played by Glee alum Darren Criss. Venezuelan actor Édgar Ramírez (The Bourne Ultimatum) plays Versace while Academy Award winner Penélope Cruz plays his sister Donatella in the anthology follow-up to Ryan Murphy's huge success "The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story, now dealing with another well-publicized crime from that 1990's.
"I had no idea what to expect, but that was what was beautiful about it", said Martin, "And the fact that I couldn't talk to Antonio before, until actually today because a thousand reasons that the network advised me not to, was very heavy. So, I was just going by these interviews. My research was his interviews, the people that knew him. I knew so many people that knew him. And for me, today was so emotional to talk to him. I said, I am so happy to talk to you, and I had tears, and I was choking, and we talked about very beautiful things, about the love that he had for Gianni. That is something that I really want to bring out. Aside for obviously the way it's been written, and it's beautiful, because for sure, there's a lot of injustice like I said, but the love that they had was indestructible. Only Cunanan did it.
Q: Any similarities between performing on stage as a singer and acting?
"I think they're different. I mean, the closest that I can bring them in together is obviously on Broadway when you do musicals. But this is a euphoria that I've been thriving for the last three months since we since Ryan told me that I was part of this production. It's a completely different monster. It's all about being in touch with all of those emotions that this amazing writing has given me. And I don't sleep. I don't sleep. I'm just drawn into this character in a beautiful way.
"I've been doing music for 30-something years, and I walk on stage and I feel the energy of the audience, and that is my medicine; that is my vice; that is my food; that is what I bring home every night, and it's fantastic. And I think I'll never do this again. But this is a completely different story. It's moving me in many different ways.
"And, yes, I felt this before. I've done series in Latin America and, obviously, theater, but this story is so captivating. I've gotten to know myself way better and I've become beating myself up like crazy, to be honest. I'm very pleased because of the way that this is being treated, and obviously, the people that I'm working with that has become a family. So, it's been amazing".
Q: How do you balance it all with fatherhood?
"It depends, when I go back home, my kids are already sleeping. The schedules are amazing. I've immersed myself completely. I dive into this completely, and I told my partner, and I told my family to please back me up because this is as serious as it gets, in the sense of the number of emotions that I deal with every day. I try to come back home driving, and I open the windows, and I scream, and I cry and I laugh if I have to, before I walk into the house. I'm on early call when my kids are awake".
Q: If you had the opportunity to work with Ryan again, would you?
"Oh my God. You don't understand how Ryan pushes us to the limits in the sense of, you can do this. Show me what you have. I will direct you, but I want to feel your instincts. And I think that is so important for any production, how visceral the actor can get, and for that I'm very thankful. I've been directed by many directors in the past. What they want is very specific things, and I'm their militant, doing whatever they want me to do. But in this case, we can fly. Obviously, being faithful to a story, but we can fly, and for me, that's amazing"
Q: Are you going to do more acting after this?
"Yes, for sure. I don't know why I hesitated in answering this question. I guess I want to keep my feet on the ground, but I cannot wait for you to see my work. I'm not going to say anything else about it. I just hope you enjoy it".
