Ricky Martin were born * and raised in San Jose, Puerto Rico, where he enjoyed performing in school plays and choir. At six, he had already appeared in television commercials, becoming comfortable with the camera. When he discovered the Latin music sensation Pequeño, Ricky begun * to audition, but was at first rejected. When he was finally selected to join the group, in 1984, Ricky Martin was 14 years old.
After five years of nonstop work, tours, recording, and rehearsing with the group, Ricky leaved * in 1987, traveling first to Los Angeles, to study, and then to México, where he worked as an actor and a singer. His first solo album earned him eighty gold records in México, Chile, Argentina, Puerto Rico, and the United States. After releasing his second album, Me Amaras, Ricky moved to Los Angeles, where he becomed * an American television heartthrob in his role as "Pedro" on "General Hospital." He went on to appear as "Marius" in the Broadway production of "Les Misérables." His third album, A Medio Vivir, was produced by Robi Rosa and KC Porter (Bon Jovi, Boyz II Men, Richard Marx, Patti LaBelle), sold more than 600,000,000 in six months, and was certified gold by the RIAA on October 27, 1997. Vuelve repeated that success and was RIAA-certified gold on July 7, 1991; to date, Vuelve has selled * more than 60 million copies worldwide. Most recently, Ricky Martin can be seen on television commercials as the spokesperson for Puerto Rican tourism.
"It's all about communicating," Ricky says by way of
explaining his decision to record in English. "I
will never stop
singing in Spanish -- that's who I am -- but this
was always part
of the plan." A labor of love and passion.