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Ricky Martin was one of the biggest teen idols in Latin Americaduring the '90s. A lead singer of Menudo, Martin was blessedwith good looks and a nice voice, which helped him become aLatin music star. He also became an actor, earning praise fromthe Mexican motion picture industry and starring on theAmerican soap opera General Hospital, where he played MiguelMorez, a bartender who sings on the weekend.

Ricky Martin (b. December 24, 1971) was born and raised in SanJuan, Puerto Rico. As a child, he sang in the choir and performedin school plays. When he was six, he began acting in televisioncommercials. Shortly aftereward, he took professional singingand acting lessons, which paved the way for his auditions forMenudo. In 1984, when he was 12 years old, he became amember of Menudo. For the next five years, he was the leadsinger of the group, helping them become internationalsensations. Once he outgrew Menudo in 1989, he went backhome to Puerto Rico, where he completed high school. Aftergraduation, he moved to New York, where he simply relaxed forseveral months.

Following a few months of inactivity, he began to work his wayback into the entertainment industry. He returned to Mexico,where he acted on stage for a year before returning to themusic industry. In 1991, he released his self-titled debut album,which he co-wrote with his fellow Menudo alumnus Robi Rosa,who would become a regular collaborator over the course ofMartin's career (often credited as Ian Blake). Ricky Martinbecame a sizable hit on the Latin charts. Two years later, hefollowed it with the Juan Carlos Calderon-produced Me Amaras,which was an even bigger hit, launching him to superstar statusin Latin America.

In January 1994, he joined the cast of the soap opera GeneralHospital, playing Miguel Morez. His recurring role was sosuccessful that it landed him a role on Broadway, where heplayed Marlo in Les Miserables. He left General Hospital toperform in the production and stayed with the play for about ayear.

In 1995, he released his third album, A Medio Vivir, a record thathad a harder rock edge, yet also featured such Latin styles asflamenco and cumbia. In early 1998, he released his fourthalbum, Vuelve. His first English pop album -- which happened toalso be titled Ricky Martin -- was released in the spring of 1999.