Ricky Martin United Fans Australia

Ricky Martin was born Enrique Jose Martin Morales on December 24, 1971. He was raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico. As a child, he sang in the choir and performed in school plays. When he was six, he began acting in television commercials. His mother introduced him to Latin music by bringing him to a Celia Cruz concert. Shortly afterwards, he took professional singing and acting lessons. This paved the way for his auditions for Menudo. His first two auditions for the bad were unsuccessful.

However, in 1984, when he was 12 years old, Ricky got accepted into Menudo, at his third audition. He didn't get in previously because the manager thought he was too small and too young. For the next five years, he was the lead singer of the group. They became international sensations. His good looks and a fantastic voice have made him into a Latin music star.

He outgrew Menudo, and left on July 10 1989. He went back home to Puerto Rico, where he completed high school. After graduation, he moved to New York. The next few months were spent relaxing.

In September 1990 he went to Mexico. Angelica Maria offered Ricky his theatre debut on 'MAMA AMA EL ROCK" OR "MUM LOVES THE ROCK". He had only 8 days to prepare. After one of the shows, Ricky was approached by Luis de Llano, who offered him a part in "Alcanzar a una estrella" Reach for a Star". His performance was so well received it earned him a "HERALDO", the Mexican equivalent of an Academy Award. The same year he signed with SONY.

In 1991, he released his self-titled debut album, which he co-wrote with his fellow Menudo band member Robi Rosa, who would become a regular collaborator over the course of Ricky's career. Ricky Martin became a huge hit on the Latin charts. Two years later, in 1993, he followed it with the Juan Carlos Calderon-produced Me Amaras, which was an even bigger hit, launching him to superstar status in Latin America.

In January 1994, he joined the cast of the General Hospital, playing Miguel Morez. His recurring role was so successful that it obtained him a role on Broadway, where he played Marius in Les Miserables.

In 1995, he released his third album, A Medio Vivir, a record that had a harder rock edge. It also featured Latin styles such as flamenco and cumbia. In early 1998, he released his fourth album, Vuelve.

In February 1999, over a billion television viewers in 187 countries across the world were introduced to Rickymania. His performance of "The Cup of Life" at the 41st Annual Grammy Awards ceremonies made the world take serious notice. That very same night Ricky's full-length Latin recording Vuelve won the Grammy for Best Latin Pop Performance.

In April 1999, Ricky's "Livin' La Vida Loca," the blockbuster single shot to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became the single with the highest #1 sales figures in Columbia Records history and the highest single week's sales figures in 1999. "Livin' La Vida Loca" had the highest single week's sales figures of any single released in 1999. It became the #1 single in five international markets including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, and Ireland.

A year later, in 2000, he sizzled again with the release of Sound Loaded.

Picked by People magazine as one of the World's 50 Most Beautiful People, Ricky Martin has been the subject of major articles in Time Magazine, Vanity Fair, Entertainment Weekly, Rolling Stone, People, Interview, TV Guide, and many others. He was named "Entertainer Of The Year" by Entertainment Weekly and is one of People's 25 Most Intriguing People Of '99. All throughout his career, Ricky Martin has remained true to his Puerto Rican roots and the Hispanic/Latino fan base that first made him a star. He has become a musical ambassador for his country (he is fluent in five languages!). Ricky has introduced Latin Pop music to markets around the world including the United States, Australia, England, Japan, China, Germany, and many others. He continues to perform and record in Spanish and often visits his native Puerto Rico.

Ricky Martin is an active participant in many social causes including the Pediatric AIDS Foundation, the Luciano Pavarotti & Friends fundraising concerts, the Carousel of Hope, the Rainforest Foundation, and others. He is also a benefactor for a Children's AIDS hospital and the child care centre, that carries his name. At the beginning of 1999, hurricane :"Mitch" destroyed Puerto Rico. Ricky was one of the very first people to help financially, to reconstruct his country.

To date, Ricky Martin has sold more than 32 million albums (more than 24 million) and singles (more than 8 million) worldwide. His 2000 World Tour has taken him to Canada, Japan, Asia, Australia, Europe, and the United States.

Ricky is the owner of a restaurant in Miami's South Beach. Casa Salsa specializes in Puerto Rican cuisine.