Ricky Martin Discusses His Early Struggles as a Closeted Gay Sex Symbol (VIDEO)
Ricky Martin is aware that a lot of people weren't surprised when he finally came out and announced he was gay. As detailed in his autobiography, 'Me,' it was more about his own internal struggles."What I was feeling, according to what I had in my mind, was evil," he told Jay Leno on 'The Tonight Show' (Weeknights, 11:35PM ET on NBC) referring to societal and religious expectations.
What made his early struggles with his sexuality more difficult was when he was the Ricky Martin of 'Livin' La Vida Loca' fame. "I was the sex symbol and I needed to dance and I needed to make girls crazy and I couldn't say that I was gay," he said. "It was a lot of struggle."
His coming out is more about facing his own demons and struggles, and perhaps inspiring and helping other people facing similar internal battles. So what if some people's reactions were "Yeah, what's new"? According to Martin, "it is about what I was feeling."
Watch the full interview here:
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