Interview with Coldplay's Ricky Martin

When taking the measure of an artist's career - the words "prolific" and "genius" are often over-used. But not this time.

From his beginnings as a child star in the hit TV sitcom "Silver Spoons", to his status as founding member of the ground-breaking Mexican boy-band Menudo, to his later solo act as Latin-heart-throb-turned-gay-singer, and now front-man for the world's greatest soft-rock band. Coldplay's Ricky Martin stands at the very peak of his artistic powers. We caught up with Ricky via telephone from his posh suite at the Amsterdam Hilton to discuss Coldplay's upcoming projects, coming out of the closet, and his marriage to Lady Gaga herself - No Doubt's Gwen Stefani.

Ricky: Hey...hello?

SRA: Hey man! How's it goin?

Ricky: uh..who is this?

SRA: I'm the soft-rock apologist..

Ricky: Uh...who..(mumbles in the background)..ok?

SRA: So after your turn as an adopted rich kid in Silver Spoons - people must have wrote you off. Were you tempted to change your name to "Rick" to let them know you were not "Little Ricky" anymore?

Ricky: What?

SRA: You know. To let them know you're "Big Rick" now and not just "Little Ricky."

Ricky: I think maybe you've got the wrong number.

SRA: Let's move on then.. Do you miss seeing Alfonso Ribeiro every day?

Ricky: Who?

SRA: Was he your first? I mean..

Ricky: Look man...I think maybe you've got..

SRA: ...I mean - er - was he your first - y'know - gay experience?

Ricky: You've got the wrong - (laughs) - I'm the singer for Coldplay!

SRA: We'll get to that in a moment.. did you even know you were gay at that time?

Ricky: Uh - I'm not sure you..

SRA: Well you were very young at the time.. so that would explain the confusion.

Ricky: Who is this again?

SRA: I guess too - with everyone calling you "Little Ricky" all the time - that might have added to the uncertainty.

Ricky: I'm not sure I follow.

SRA: I would have been confused if I were closeted gay caucasian kid pretending to be a hispanic kid playing an adopted wealthy caucasian kid. That and having everyone calling me "Little Ricky" both in-character and out?

Ricky: Okay?

SRA: Yeah - I'm right there with you man.. I would have wanted to change my name to Rick too.

Ricky: But that's not my name.

SRA: I think you're becoming confused again. Perhaps we should move on.

Ricky: Fine then.

SRA: So when was the last time you spoke to Alfonso?

Ricky: I don't know anyone by that name.

SRA: Wow...really?

Ricky: Yeah..really.

SRA: For real?

Ricky: Yeah. Why?

SRA: No..it's just..Seems cruel to deny the man that way.

Ricky: Well. I don't know him.

SRA: Okay. Sure. You don't "know him" - or so you say...whatever. Let's talk about Menudo.

Ricky: Okay?

SRA: Were the other guys in Menudo gay or was it just Little Ricky?

Ricky: I think it was just Ricky. Wasn't it?

SRA: Well I'm asking him..

Ricky: Okay - I'll wait.

SRA: Well were you?

Ricky: (silence)

SRA: Hello... well?

Ricky: (silence)

SRA: Are you going to answer?

Ricky: I'm sorry. Are you talking to me?

SRA: Who else would I be talking to?

Ricky: I thought you were talking to Ricky Martin?

SRA: We're back to that again? Fine - Rick Martin then.

Ricky: What did he say?

SRA: Jesus...

Part 2 of SRA's interview with Coldplay's Ricky Martin is coming soon..