Ricky's Cup Of... Er, Life

International News, By Joal, 28th August, 2008

Ricky Martin won’t be “livin’ la vida loca” anymore, because he’s now the full-time carer of two baby boys – born to the latin singer by a surrogate mother, and according to his website, “Ricky is elated to begin this new chapter in his life as a parent”.

Although we haven’t heard much out of him recently, the Spanish singing superstar made it big in the late-nineties before making the cross-over to singing in English in 1999.

In the past there’s been a great deal of speculation as to which way the sexy star ‘swings’. Last year his skin care technician set the tabloids aflutter when he said that Ricky was gay. Although Ricky left questions unanswered for some time, he was later quoted in a magazine interview saying “I perceive the contemporary world as an open forum, where nothing is taboo except criminal activity. If I were gay, why not admit it?... I am a normal man. I love women and sex. I am a real hot-blooded Puerto Rican, but have never been attracted by sex with a man.”

Watch this clip of Barbara Walters grilling Ricky Martin about his sexuality in an interview in 2000:

Born on August 20, while their names and the name of the children’s mother remains a mystery, the star’s two sons are now in Martin’s full time care. Martin’s publicist says he will spend the remainder of the year out of the spotlight, spending quality time with his new family instead.

Although Martin has been linked romantically with a number of women in the media, dating Mexican TV host Rebeca de Alba on and off for over 14 years before ending the relationship in 2003, he is currently raising the two toddlers alone.

Martin is also known for his volunteer work and more recently for his opposition to President George Bush. Sticking up his middle finger when he sang Bush’s name during a performance early in 2007, when later asked about it Martin said that his “convictions of peace and life go beyond any government and political agenda” and that as long as he has a voice as a performer, he will “always condemn war and those who promulgate it.”