Ricky Martin - 100 fast facts about Ricky Martin

Singing Sensation Ricky Martin Performing in Belgium

50. Ricky loves the multinational, multidemensional attitude of the song:"[It] has a little bit of Latin, a little bit of ska, a little bit of rock, and there's even a little bit of the '60s, sort of a James Bond sound."

52. Many people advised Ricky Martin against recording with international icon Madonna because of their contrasting music styles.

53. When the two pop powerhouses did meet in the studio, Ricky wasn't concerned with getting a song that would go on his album. He just wanted to have fun!

54. The meeting did produce a song for the album:"Be Careful" (Cuidado Con Mi Corozón"). And it perfectly blends Ricky's Latin life and Madonna's techno experiences.

55. Madonna wrote the song and Ricky translated a couple of the lyrics into Spanish.

56. Schedule is so packed that the two singers can't pin down a date to film a video.

57. The second radio-released single will most likely be "She's All I Ever Had." Singing Sensation Ricky Martin

58. Don't expect Ricky to record an all electronica album anytime soon. "I don't want my voice to sound too technical; I want it to sound like me. The way I feel is, I don't have to sound perfect, but my emotion has to nail it."

59. Another standout duet on "Ricky Martin" is "Private Emotion," featuring the sensational Swedish songstress Meja.

60. Ricky loves to boast about the "dream team" that helped put the album together, including Jon Secada, Emilio Estafan, and Desmond Child.

61. Sony, Ricky's record label, was so hyped to release "Ricky Martin" after his electrifying performance at the Grammy's that CEO Tommy Mattola purportedly quarreled with Madonna over delays in the recording of "Be Careful." Madonna wasn't pleased and allegdly walked out. Ricky managed to calm the ruffled feathers, and Madonna came back to finish the song.

62. Ricky was more excited about performing at the Grammy's than actually bringing home an award because the audience was one of the most demanding of his career.

63. Ricky Martin has many famous fans now, including Sting, Madonna, Beck and Pavarotti. Says Ricky: "To get the acceptance of your peers really means a lot."

64. Ricky felt his successful Grammy performance was a key to getting support from his record label's top brass. "I knew they'd come to me someday," says Ricky. "After the Grammy's, it was 'Yo, this is mine!'"

65. To calm his nerves before the monumental performance, Ricy said to himself, "Dude, you've been doing this for 15 years. Just be yourself."

67. Ricky has one goal when he steps in front of an audience: "Make them go crazy!"

68. Ricky is the spokesman for Puerto Rican tourism, and appears in television commercials touting the tropical island getaway.

70. Ricky recently turned down a role in the film version of "West Side Story," opposite Jennifer Lopez, because he felt it promoted negative stereotypes of Puerto Ricans. "It's kicking my culture. And I'm not gonna feed that."

71. Ricky joined Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson and Gloria Estefan in Modena, Italy for Luciano Pavorotti's annual benefit, Pavorotti & Friends, for the non-profit organization Warchild.

72. Ricky recently opened a Puerto Rican restuaranct, Casa Salsa, in Southbeach.

73. Yes, he is a perfectionist. "I want to listen to my music in 30 years and say, 'Great album!'"

74. Ricky's musical tastes today are as diverse as when he was a child. "I listen to everything. I'm like a sponge!"

75. "The Godfarther" is Ricky's favorite flick.

76. Intelligence is the No.1 quality Ricky looks for in a girl.

77. Ricky thinks that Victor Hugo, author of "Les Meserables," is "a genius."

78. Ricky counts on his family, especially his mom, to keep down to earth in the face of worldwide popularity. "My mother pulls my ear every time she sees I need it."

81. Ricky is used to being very affectionate with his family. "If I walk into my father's house and I don't give him a hug, he'll say something."

82. Ricky does play favorites when it comes to his own music. His favorite song on "Ricky Martin" is the sensual and yearning, "I Am Made of You."

83. One of the reasons he likes "I Am Made of You" is that it "describes perfectly where I'm at today in my spiritual search."

84. Ricky received the honor of meeting and being blessed by Pope John Paul II

85. Ricky makes music and performs live with the hope of having a lasting effect of his listeners. "I want them to feel free, liberated."

86.Ricky likes to support AIDS causes since he's seen many friends succomb to the disease.

87. Ricky is so phenonmenally popular in Puerto Rico that his presence on a city street can draw upwards 20,000 people. Recently, he had to take a helicopter to a press conference in downtown San Juan from an airport that's a five-minute car ride away.

88. Ricky wants his success to help bust stereotpes about Latinos and Puerto Rico. "It's all about breaking stereotypes. For me, that fact that people think that Puerto Rico is "Scarface," that we ride donkeys to school - that has to change."

89. Ricky calls himself a romantic.

90. Ricky thinks a rose can say more than 1,000 words.

91. On his success, Ricky says simply: I'm flying! I'm flying!"

92. There a hundreds of fan Web sites devoted to Ricky.

93. When Ricky feels stressed he practices yoga.

94. Though raised Catholic, Ricky is studing other religions like Hinduism, Buddhism and Judaism. Singing Sensation Ricky Martin

95. Ricky served as an altar boy for years before joining Menudo.

96. Ricky says honest is his best quality.

97. His worst quality: stubborness.

98. Ricky doesn't like to talk about his private relationships, though he admits he has an on-again, off-again girlfriend - rumored to be Rebecca de Alba, a Spanish TV personality. "And that's all I'm sayin'," he insists.

99. Ricky's favorite designer is Georgio Armani.

100. Ricky's favorite actor is Robert De Niro.

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