While Ricky Martin is known for his hit singles "Livin' la Vida Loca" and "She Bangs," fans haven't heard much from the Puerto Rican singer in the last few years.
So it was a refreshing surprise when Martin made an appearance on ABC's Popcorn with Peter Travers to catch us all up on his life.
As you recall, Martin had welcomed twin sons Matteo and Valentino into the world in 2008 via surrogate, and publicly came out as gay in 2010.
"I am proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man. I am very blessed to be who I am," adding that "these years in silence and reflection made me stronger and reminded me that acceptance has to come from within, and that this kind of truth gives me the power to conquer emotions I didn't even know existed," the singer had written on Twitter.
In 2011 he revealed he was dating Syrian-Swedish painter Jwan Yosef, who he wed the following year.
Despite his happy relationship, his interview with Travers was predominately about his twins, and how he hopes they are homosexual.
"I don't know, my kids are too young, but I wish they were gay," Martin revealed. "It is a very special thing. The sensitivity, the way I see now, that I don't have to hide in any way shape or form. I see colors. And then you see the rainbow."
"I understand why the symbol is the rainbow because it's just real, everything is tangible. It makes me a stronger person. I wish I could come out again, because it felt amazing," he added.
Along with discussing his pride for the LGBT community, Martin also shared how his coming out inspired other people to become more accepting of their loved ones.
"That moment when I wrote the letter and I posted it on Twitter, and I pressed send. The freedom, the feeling of liberation was so powerful, that's what I mean by saying I wish I could come out again because it just felt amazing," Martin explained.
"And then after that, people coming to me and saying thank you so much for coming out," he continued. "Because of you, I understand my father better. I understand my sister better. It's an important thing to do."
Martin also opened up about his infamous interview with Barbara Walters in 2000, where he refused to admit he was gay.
"I felt like she was knocking, like, punch after punch after punch "” it was really uncomfortable, to be honest," Martin said. "But then again, I look at it and I'm like, why didn't I just say yes back then? Like, "˜Yes, I'm gay,' who cares? You know what I'm saying?"
"She was just doing her job. Everybody was asking that question, and she needed to ask it," he said. "I didn't say yes, I didn't say no, and I just left it open for everyone to think whatever they wanted to think, and I insist, why didn't I say yes? And I believe everyone should just say, "˜Yes, it's OK.' If you are, say yes, there's absolutely nothing wrong with it."
For more heartwarming stories involving celebrity dads, check out these touching tales:
- Dwayne Johnson Opens Up About How His Dad Taught Him To Be A Man And Father
- John Stamos Confesses He's "Cried Most Days" Over His Newborn Son
- Sylvester Stallone Raves About His "Wonderful" Daughters After A Family Night Out
[H/T: Hornet, Out Magazine]