Ricky Martin | Success Story of the Latin King of Pop

Ricky Martin is one of the most prominent singers globally. He has been a part of the music industry for nearly four decades. Ricky rose to prominence during the 1980s after joining the boy band Menudo. In his long and successful career, Ricky has won over 200 accolades. His achievements include two Grammys, five Latin Grammys, five VMAs, two AMAs, eight WMAs, and three Billboard Music Awards. Besides a successful musical career, Ricky has also established himself as a talented actor.

About

Enrique Martin Morales, better known by his stage name Ricky Martin, is a Puerto Rican singer, songwriter, and actor. He is responsible for introducing Latin music to the world during the 1990s. Ricky has sold over 70 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling artists. In his four-decade-long career, he has worked with iconic artists like Madonna, Christina Aguilera, Daddy Yankee, Jennifer Lopez, Pitbull, Maluma, Will.i.am, Michael Jackson, and Kylie Minogue. For nearly two decades, Ricky has run a non-profit organization that focuses on condemning human trafficking. 

Early Life

On the 24th of December 1971, Enrique Martin Morales was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA. His father, Enrique Martin Negroni, was a psychologist. In contrast, his mother, Doña Nereida Morales, was an accountant. When Ricky was two years old, his parents separated. Ricky’s mother got his custody, but he was free to meet his father. Growing up, Ricky did not feel abandoned by his parents. They loved him and provided him with a warm upbringing. Ricky has four half-brothers and one half-sister. Ricky’s grandfather was a poet, and his family was musically inclined. As a result, Ricky started gaining an interest in music from a young age. He used to sing Puerto Rican and English songs in front of his family.

For schooling, Ricky attended Colegio Sagrado Corazón in San Juan. As a child, he was average in his studies. Ricky was always keen to perform in front of his family and neighbors. He would often gather people across the street and do plays with his friends. When Ricky was six, his aunt took his cousin to an audition for a soft drink commercial. Ricky went with them. The director quickly noticed young Ricky and offered him a spot. As a result, Ricky began his acting journey. By age nine, Ricky had already acted in a dozen commercials, including Burger King and Orange Crush. As a child, he loved the boy band Menudo. The band changed its members when they turned sixteen to bring fresh faces. In 1982, Ricky went to audition for a spot in Menudo.

Beginning of Career

11-year-old Ricky impressed the executives with his talent. However, he failed to pass the audition. The executives felt that Ricky was too short. Ricky gave three auditions, and finally, in 1984, he became a member of Menudo. At age twelve, Ricky made his debut performance with the group. However, it did not turn out to be a good experience. The choreographers had told Ricky to stay still while performing. But Ricky walked around the stage unknowingly. As a result, the band manager scolded him angrily. Later, Ricky never disobeyed the orders. While part of Menudo, Ricky had to give up his childhood. The band’s busy schedule and strict management did not allow him to live freely. However, he did not give up and continued to work hard. In 1985, the band released an eponymous album. It became one of the band’s most successful albums.

Pathway to Success

While in Menudo, Ricky became a household name. People loved his singing and dancing skills. Simultaneously, Ricky began acting in television series. At age seventeen, Ricky left Menudo to start his solo career after taking a break. When Ricky returned home, his parents’ separation started affecting him. They were constantly arguing and wanted Ricky to choose one of them. But Ricky forgave them and moved on. After completing high school, he moved to NYC. Upon moving, he got selected for the Tisch School of the Arts. However, before the classes began, he went to Mexico. While watching a play, he got the offer to replace one of the actors. Ricky agreed and dropped out of the university to act. Within a year, he started getting attention for his talent.

Worldwide Recognition 

While Ricky was in Mexico, a Latin Sony music executive noticed him. He offered him a recording deal. Ricky quickly signed the contract to restart his musical career. In November 1991, he released his debut self-titled album. It was a commercial success. Later, between 1993-2000, Ricky released five commercially and critically acclaimed albums. As a result, he became a global star. Simultaneously, Ricky’s small-screen popularity grew after starring in the soap opera General Hospital. During the 2000s and 2010s, Ricky’s international recognition grew substantially with successful albums like A Quien Quiera Escuchar, Almas De Silencio, and Play. Through these groundbreaking successes, Ricky Martin became a legendary Latin musician.

Also read: Shakira | Success Story of the Latin Music Queen