MARTIN, Ricky (Ricky Martin)

Ricky Martin was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, December 24, 1971. His first performances were school productions in which he participated. He also sang in the school choir.

As a small child he appeared in many commercials, and (with the support of parents), immersed in her studies. His musical tastes were inclined not to the Latin American music, as many thought. He was more interested in such musicians as David Bowie, "Boston" and "Cheap Trick". However, once his mother took him to a concert Celia Cruz, who left him a deep impression.

At the age of about 10 years, Rikki heard the music of the Latin boy group "Menudo", and immediately went to audition. At first he was not accepted due to a small age, but later, in 1984 he finally took his place in the group, and during the next five years in the exhausting mode recordings and concert tours. In 1989, when the "Menudo" was at the peak of its popularity, Martin left the band and moved to New York, where he hoped to reach a successful solo. There he experienced a year of unemployment, then, frustrated, he returned to Mexico.

While living south of the border, the welfare of Martin again went to the amendment, he began to participate regularly in the soap opera "Alcanzar una Estrella II", dividing the time between pictures and music. Issued in 1992 and 1993, its first Spanish-language albums rather enjoyed great popularity in several countries.

Emboldened by success, in 1994, Martin moved to Los Angeles where he played the role brmena (and nightclub singer) Miguel Moreza in the American soap opera "General Hospital". He also began working on their third Spanish-language album "Medio Vivir". Released in 1995, the album "Medio Vivir" was a turning point in his career, Martin. Album combined a Latin style with fatal orientation. Within 6 months have sold over 600,000 copies of the album, and October 1997 was released on a gold disc.

Almost immediately he began work on his fourth Spanish-language album. The new album "Vuelve" was released in early 1998, and sold very successfully.

In 1998, Martin was awarded a Grammy, his last album was named "Best Latin album of popular music".

The new album, released them on May 11, was named just "Ricky Martin" and has a great success.

He declined the offer to join Jennifer Lopez in the shooting of the film "West Side Story" on the grounds that the film perpetuates stereotypes of Puerto Rican.

He also continues to maintain relations with his old girlfriend Rebecca de Alba, which is engaged in television show in Mexico City.