Barbara Walters Regrets Ricky Martin Interview

By PopEater Staff Posted Mar 9th 2010 07:05AM

Looking back on her past interviews, Barbara Walters regrets trying to force singer Ricky Martin to open up about his sexuality in a 2000 interview and reveals that her questioning may have ended his career. "In 2000, I pushed Ricky Martin very hard to admit if he was gay or not, and the way he refused to do it made everyone decide that he was," she told The Toronto Star. "A lot of people say that destroyed his career, and when I think back on it now, I feel it was an inappropriate question."

During the 2000 interview, Walters tells him, "You know, you could stop these rumors. You could say, as many artists have, 'Yes I am gay,' or you could say, 'No I'm not,' or you could leave it, as you are, ambiguous. I don't want to put you on the spot, but it's in your power to do it."

The 'Livin' La Vida Loca' star is a single dad to twin sons and does not comment publicly on his sexuality.

Tags: barbara walters, ricky martin, the view

Comments

(150)

Tuesday 09 March

By Darin

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It really doesn't matter if he's gay, straight or bi-sexual. Ricky is still a fantastic entertainer and he probably burnt himself out. He was a pretty busy individual in the late 90's and early 2000. Barbara Waters isn't God and I don't think her interview was appropriate. She was wrong to bring his sexual orientation into the interview. Ricky can still sing and entertain and I'm sure if he wanted to be back in the spotlight he's have no problem doing so.

By valeskas

Ricky Martin is a wonderful entertainer and I do not care if he is gay or not. It is just the jealous people who are the ones, never really achieving something in life. Good Luck for him and his family.

By Collins

Who cares he's a great singer and is much loved, from a lady in Cincy

By Andy

If you take the time and review all of Barbara's interviews of gay males and most recently Adam Lambert. I think it is very telling and transparent as to where she stands on Gays. Perhaps she believes by taking responsibility here she will create a somescreen for her biggoted views

By CJ

I am with you. Though I don't side with homosexuality, I believe that what a person does in their bedroom is personal. I just wish everyone would keep it personal. Ricky Martin is a very talented individual and I wish him the best.

By Burth

What do you expect from someone that sleeps with a married man. Maybe she should look in the mirror first.

By S321Saint

Kinda pathetic, she "apologizes" for that, but forgets the years of conservative bashing she is known for. She is a truly a pathetic woman, interviewer who doesnt deserved the homage she is getting.

By Betty and Reese

I agree. Why do reporters feel its necessary to "out" people? It's NONE of their nor our business. Leave people alone. I don't care if they are famous, THAT part of the lives are private. PREIOD!

By Leo

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Conservative bashing? The only thing I have to say about that is that Walters didn't do enough conservative bashing. The righties always point their hypocritical fingers at the Democrats, think they know everything, and never take responsibility for anything!

By Jackal

What kind of a tree is Barbara Walters. Too bad, not the one who fell in the forest with no one to hear it.

By jimbo 13134579

In answer to your question, I think she is a BIrtCH tree. And a sich one at that

By Fishnlawyr

I was wondering if anyone would refer iconic and absolutely idiotic "If you were a tree...." question. That one question destroyed her credibility as a serious journalist and cast her as a parody of an effette, intellectual snob.

By hrtofmttr

Her regret ten years later sounds insincere and of course by bringing it up she once again puts herself and Ricky's sexuality in the spotlight. Oh yes, she knows what she is doing and I doubt she 'regrets' it in the true sense of the word.

By sandsnnydz

Walters is a washed up gossip monger who slept her way to the top with other womens husbands and then she had the gall to WRITE about it for profit!!!

What she did was low class and this doesn't surprise me that she would stoop to this questioning with Ricky Martin ... Barbara Walters low class all the way!

By ELLEN

YOU ARE SOOOO RIGHT!!!!!

By Susy

Barbara Walters is a washed up old hag, you are so right. She will do or say anything to keep her name in the spotlight. No matter who she throws under the bus!

By crksr

Barbara Walters is irrelevant. As far as Ricky Martin is concerned, when you are an entertainer or any other type of visible people you better deal head on with rumors regarding your sexuality or any other so called "personal" aspect of your life. If you are gay, you are gay. Can't change that. So, admit it and carry on with your life. Be ambiguous about it and you will attract unwanted attention. Provided that the attention is unwanted.

By BILLY RAY

HERES A NOVEL IDEA. WHY CANT PEOPLE JUST ENJOY HIS MUSIC AND QUIT BEING SO DAMN NOSEY. oUR SOCIETY DOES NOT HAVE TO KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT EVERYONE. THEY JUST THINK THEY DO!!!

By Jax

She is 100% correct.... Ricky M was a BIG sex symbol. women (including me) adored him! We had no clue he was really gay. When this interview came out we hoped he finally end the silly rumors. Much to our surprise it was true! We felt betrayed, he was no longer the hot sexy ladies man, it was all a lie….

Now not that there is anything wrong with being gay. He is who he is, he is just not what the world thought he was.

By Hattie Crabtree

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The same can be said about Clay Aiken.

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