Ricky Martin Opens Up On Not Being Ready to Come Out As Gay; Still Has PTSD

Ricky Martin has recalled his 2000 interview with Barbara Walters in which he had an “uncomfortable” conversation about his sexuality. The singer said he was “not ready to come out” as gay at the time on national television and suffers “PTSD” from the interview.

Martin opened up about the “traumatizing” interview with Walters on People’s second annual Pride Issue on Wednesday. The singer, who got married to the Syrian-Swedish artist Jwan Yosef in 2017, was speculated to be gay even before he came out.

"You could stop these rumors," Walters told Martin during the interview. "You could say, as many others have, ‘Yes, I am gay,’ or you could say, ‘No, I’m not,’ or you could leave it as you are, ambiguous."

"I just don’t feel like it," Martin replied to Walters.

In the latest interview, the 39-year-old singer told People that he felt "violated" when Walters asked him the question about his sexuality. Martin also admitted that he suffers from posttraumatic stress disorder after the infamous interview with Walters.

"I was very afraid. There’s a little PTSD with that," the singer said.

"A lot of people say, ‘What would you do differently?’" he continued. "Well, maybe I would have come out in that interview. It would’ve been great because when I came out, it just felt amazing."

"When it comes to my sexuality when it comes to who I am, I want to talk about what I’m made of, about everything that I am. Because if you hide it, it’s a life-or-death situation," he added.

Martin came out after 10 years of Walters’ interview telecast. He shared a statement on his official website in March 2010, stating: "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."

"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," he continued.

Martin shares four children, twin sons Valentino and Matteo, 12, daughter Lucia, 2, and son Renn, 2, with Yosef.

On the work front, Martin was last seen in the family musical, "Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey," which released on Nov. 13, 2020. He also hosted a television special, "Essential Heroes: A Momento Latino" in 2020. The singer also released his pop music album, "Pausa," last year.