Pop star Ricky Martin says his father encouraged him to come out as gay

Ricky Martin has opened up about his decision to come out as gay, saying his father encouraged him to do so against the advice of those around him.

This is not the first time the Puerto Rican singer has spoken openly about being gay. In his early days, the artist became a sex symbol for women who listened to his music and attended his concerts without paying too much attention to his sexual orientation.

In fact, there were years when he hid the truth because he was afraid that society wouldn't accept him and he might lose touch with the people who listen to his music.

"I spent a lot of energy trying to manipulate my sexuality," the star said, as quoted by People.

At the time, his team of advisors warned him about the dangers of revealing himself publicly.

“Don't do it, it will ruin your career. Why do you need this? It's not necessary," Martin's advisers said.

He remembers that the person who gave him courage was his father, Enrique Martin Negroni.

This comes after Martin became a father through a surrogate mother, which led to the birth of his twins, Valentino and Matteo, who are now 15 years old.

His father, a psychologist by profession, helped him decide to take this step because he felt that his son could not enjoy fatherhood while living a lie.

“Are you going to teach your children to lie? You have to be honest and open," his father said.

At this very moment in 2019, the singer published the letter in which he told the truth.

“Writing these lines is the approach to my inner peace, a vital part of my evolution. Today, I accept my homosexuality as a gift given to me by life. I feel blessed to be who I am," he emphasized. /BGNES