Ricky Martin Talks About 'Really Uncomfortable' Barbara Walters Interview, Regrets Not Coming Out Then
Ricky Martin expressed his regret at not coming out as gay during his interview with Barbara Walters in 2000 during a guest appearance on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen on Monday.
Awkward Interview
Martin reminisced about his awkward interview with Walters and told Cohen that it was just "horrible." The "Livin La Vida Loca" singer recalled that how the American journalist was trying so hard to get the truth out about his sexual orientation during the interview. Walters was forcing the truth out of him but Martin did not budge.
"I felt like she was knocking, like, punch after punch after punch -- it was really uncomfortable, to be honest," Martin told the audience.
However, looking back, the 46-year-old Puerto Rican singer revealed one thing that he regretted not doing during the interview. He regretted not coming out as gay on television.
"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?" Martin told Cohen.
Instead, Martin left people hanging and guessing about his sexuality because he did not say yes or say no. At the time, his reply was "I just don't feel like it" when asked to put rumors to bed about him being a homosexual.
"I think that sexuality is something that each individual should deal with in their own way. And that's all I'll have to say about mine," Martin told Walters (see video below).
The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story star acknowledged that Walters was only doing what she was supposed to do. She was asking the same question that everybody was asking. Looking back at it now, Martin asked himself why he did not just say yes.
"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," Martin said.
Coming Out
The "Fiebre" singer finally admitted that he is gay on his personal website in 2010. That same year, Walters admitted that she regretted pushing Martin to admit that he is gay during their 2000 interview. She recalled that the way he refused to answer the question about his sexuality only made people believe that he is homosexual.
Walters looked back and thought that the question was "inappropriate." He also recalled at the time that a lot of people thought her interview destroyed Martin's career.
