There have been rumours about the 38-year-old`s sexuality ever since he burst onto the music scene with his 1999 hit Livin` la Vida Loca. He has previously refused to discuss his orientation, but has now revealed he is homosexual.
"I am proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man," he wrote on his blog. "I am very blessed to be who I am."
The star explained working on his memoirs has made him realise he had to be honest about his lifestyle. He is father to 19-month-old twin sons Matteo and Valentino, who were born via a surrogate, and said it was because of them he has decided to be open about who he is.
"This is just what I need especially now that I am the father of two beautiful boys that are so full of light and who with their outlook teach me new things every day," he wrote. "To keep living as I did up until today would be to indirectly diminish the glow that my kids were born with. Enough is enough. This has to change. This was not supposed to happen five or ten years ago, it is supposed to happen now. Today is my day, this is my time, and this is my moment."
Ricky said he usually only feels at ease when on stage, but having the strength to talk about being gay has made him feel free in all aspects of his life. He added he might have come out earlier in his life if it hadn?t been for advice from people close to him.
The singer was warned being open about his homosexuality might cause people to turn against him, but he now wishes he had never listened. "Because all this advice came from people who I love dearly, I decided to move on with my life not sharing with the world my entire truth. Allowing myself to be seduced by fear and insecurity became a self-fulfilling prophecy of sabotage. Today I take full responsibility for my decisions and my actions," he explained.
The Gay, Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) have praised Ricky`s decision.
sections: Celebrities |