MARTIN: 'I QUIT MUSIC TO KEEP MYSELF SANE'Latino pop star RICKY MARTIN has kept himself out of the public eye for the last five years because otherwise he would have endured a mental breakdown.
The SHE BANGS singer decided to quit the music industry at the height of his popularity in 2000, when it dawned on him midway through a gig in Sydney, Australia, that he hated what he was doing.
The 33-year-old says, "I was so tired, so burnt out. I don't know if it was a breakdown, but I probably would have had one if I hadn't stopped that day.
"I was onstage in front of 25,000 people and I wasn't enjoying it. The applause wasn't bringing me a rush. As a matter of fact, it disgusted me. I was completely disorientated.
"This is what I'd lived for - the applause. It's what inspired me. Suddenly, I was on tour and wasn't happy. It got worse and worse. When I walked onstage I was in a bad mood, I was angry to be there.
"You can't get much lower than that - being onstage, with the applause of 25,000 people, and having no sense of gratitude.
"Something was wrong. I needed to stop. That day in Sydney, I said, 'This is my last show today.' We were supposed to be going to Argentina and Brazil. I knew it would cost me a lot to cancel, but I didn't care.
"A lot of people told me, 'This is your moment. You've sold 50 million records around the world. If you stop now, this is the end of your career. If you stop now you're insane.'
"I thought, 'I probably am insane which is why I need to stop.'"
Martin releases his new album LIFE in October (05).
29/08/2005 02:46
Author
