"LIVIN' LA VIDA LOCA"
WORLD TOUR 1999/2000

NASHVILLE 12 JULY 2000:

Name: Enrique Martin Morales
Date of Birth: December 24, 1971
Place of Birth: Hato Rey, Puerto Rico
Height: 6'1
Weight:165
Eye Color: Brown
Hair Color: Light Brown
Parents: Mother: Nereida Morales, Father: Enrique Martin Negroni
Siblings: Fernando, Angel, Eric, Daniel, and Vanessa

Born and raised in San Jan, Puerto Rico, Ricky Martin first revealed a love for the performing arts through school plays and choir. By age six he had begun to appear in television commercials, becoming comfortable with the camera and maturing in his craft through acting and singing lessons.

Though divorced, his parents were always supportive of his ambitions. At age twelve Martin became a member of Menudo, the teenage group whose singing, dancing and stage presence electrified young audiences worldwide. For five years Martin lived his dream, performing at music festivals and sold-out concerts on every continent.

In 1989 he left the group and returned to Puerto Rico to finish high school; moving to New York after graduation to enjoy six months of well-deserved tranquility. An offer to return to the theatrical stage brought Martin to Mexico, where he starred in the long-running musical play Mama Ama El Rock ( Mom Loves Rock & Roll).

In 1992 Martin segued into the popular Mexican daytime drama "Alcanzar Una Estrella II" ("To Reach A Star"), spending eight months as Pablo, a musician and singer in the band Mu-ecos De Papel. Due to the tremendous success of the drama, the band did an extensive tour throughout Mexico and the story spinned off into a feature film. For his performance in the feature film version of the series Martin earned a Heraldo, the Mexican equivalent of Academy Award.

Concurrent with a burgeoning acting career, in 1992, Sony Music released his first album of original songs. "Ricky Martin" ,the self-titled which quickly proved his success as a solo artist, evidenced by platinum sales and packed concert dates in every country across South America.This album sold more than 500,000 copies all along the world, becoming in one of the Sony greatest latin debuts in the last 10 years.

During that time he won lot of awards, like the "Lo Nuestro" award, and many Eres Awards. "It felt great to have complete control of the process," says Martin. "I was also lucky to be surrounded by people who wanted to work as hard as I did."

His succes continued with his second album "Me Amaras" (You Will Love Me), in wich he included some personal and Romantic songs. It was a more mature compilation of personal, romantic songs which also skyrocketed to the top of the Latin charts and earned him "Best New Latin Artist" at the 1993 Billboard Music Awards.

Seeking further opportunities as an actor and the chance to connect with English-speaking audiences, Martin moved to Los Angeles at the end of 1993, guesting on two episodes of the NBC sitcom "Getting By" before creating the role of Miguel Morez on "General Hospital".

Martin soon won over the hearts of the American public, leading to him being sought out by the American media to appear on television and in magazines and newspapers all over the United States, including People, YM, Seventeen, The Oprah Winfrey Show, Entertainment Tonight, Good Morning America, Live with Regis and Kathy Lee, The Ricki Lake Show, Extra, and various other national and local programs.

In 1995 a dream that in some form or another was a promise to himself and his fans, became reality: Martin's third album-"A Medio Vivir". In this album Martin's musical talents shine brightest through his work as a songwriter, singer and musician. "A Medio Vivir" is a compilation of "alternative" songs reflecting pop, rock and Latin influences. It has released internationally in September, 1995, and was followed by his third extensive tour of Mexico, South and Central America.

The inspiration of great performers and composers such as Robi Rosa (Ian Blake), Franco DeVita, Alejandro Sanz, Crist-bal Sansano, M-nica Naranjo, Marcos Flores, Luis Gomez Escolar, Carlos Lara, Luis Angel, Manolo Tena and Ricky Martin (making his debut as a composer) under the direction of KC Porter (who has produced artists such as Bon Jovi, Boyz II Men, Richard Marx, and Patti LaBelle) helped give life to "A Medio Vivir".

A believer in destiny, Martin vests equal faith in hard work and a positive attitude. "Everything I've accomplished is because I've been ready for it," say Ricky Martin, naming Daniel Day-Lewis, Sting, and Barbra Streisand among those multi-faceted performers who have inspired him. "Planning, discipline and a good outlook are the keys to success."

Ricky Martin's dream of performing on Broadway became a reality this past June when he made is debute as `Marius', an idealistic young student revolutionary in 19th century Paris, in the Broadway production of Les Miserables. During his 11 week limited engagement Martin won the hearts of theater goers, with his interpretation of the heart-breaking ballad, "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables" and as well as the moving love duet "A Heart Full of Love."

In early 1997, Disney Studios called upon ricky to voice the character of Hercules in the Spanish language version of the movie. He also recorded the chart topping song "No Importanta La Distancia" (I can go the Distance),and he also made the videoclip shown at the end of the movie.

Although his music and acting keep him busy, Martin always gives part of his time to helping drug-addicted and abused children, and AIDS awareness, he is as passionate about helping others as he is about his work. With performances in benefits such as: The White Nights Festival in Russia, Disney en Las Americas AIDS Foundation and as spokesperson for the American Heart Association, Ricky Martin is able to help others and at the same time bring a bit of himself and his music to everyone.

In February, 1998 Ricky released his forth album "Vuelve", selling 1,000,000 copies of the cd in only 4 weeks!!

Ricky is currently promoting his fifth album "Ricky Martin" and the single "Livin' La Vida Loca". The single and the cd have made him a worldwide superstar.