MANILA, Philippines — Controversial Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin is coming out anew, this time with a full account of his life as a celebrity, as a father to two sons, and as a whole new individual documented in his own autobiography entitled “Me”.
"Yo" (Me) provides glimpses of Martin's childhood, describes his musical start as a member of "Menudo" in the 1980s, his crossover to English in the later 1990's and his emergence as a pop icon, his publisher said.
Published both in English and in Spanish, it also talks about 38-year-old Martin's decision to father twins by a surrogate mother and his philanthropic work as a UNICEF ambassador and through the Ricky Martin Foundation.
"I hope you enjoy it," Martin tweeted Monday.
"I've had to tie loose ends that I never put together and work hard recalling memories I had already erased from my mind. It wasn't easy, but once I got going I realized the incredible scarring process that had begun, which I now want to share."
Martin said that he was overwhelmed by the emotional relief he experienced following his revelation last March about his sexuality, claiming that his sons — Valentino and Matteo — played a huge part in his pronouncement.
“When I realised, okay, I just pressed send, whoo, I was alone,' the 38-year-old told Oprah Winfrey recently, as cited by Daniela Elser of MonstersAndCritics.com. “I was in my studio alone for a minute. My assistant walked in and I just started crying like a little baby. I started crying.”
“It was too painful. But I guess the most important thing is my children. When I was holding them in my arms I was like, 'Am I gonna teach them how to lie?' Whoa, that is my blessing right there. Then, when I was holding my children I said, 'Okay, it's time to tell the world.''
Martin has sold more than 60 million albums worldwide over a two decade solo career since he crossed that has netted him five Grammy awards.
He records and performs mostly in Spanish, but has a huge crossover following in English thanks largely to his 1999 smash hit "Livin' La Vida Loca" and his chart-topping "She Bangs" the following year. (With reports from AFP)
