Ricky Martin will headline LA Pride in the Park, which returns to Los Angeles State Historic Park on Saturday, June 8. This marks Martin's first Pride performance. Additionally, Martin will be the first openly gay Latino artist to headline the popular Pride event.
The theme for this year's Pride season is “Power in Pride,” celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community's ability to live authentically.
“I'm thrilled to be a pioneer at LA Pride in the Park because it's an incredible opportunity to celebrate love, diversity and equality,” Martin said in a statement. “LA Pride is a testament to the power of community, the power of visibility and the power to stand up for our rights. Being part of this vibrant community fills me with pride and purpose.”
“With his electrifying stage presence and chart-topping hits, Ricky Martin has long been an inspiration to millions around the world,” said Gerald Garth, chairman of the CSW/LA Pride Board of Directors. “His participation in LA Pride in the Park goes beyond mere entertainment. symbolizes a strong affirmation of queer Latino identity and a celebration of diversity within the LGBTQ+ community. We can't wait to be 'Livin' La Vida Loca while beaming with Pride!'
Spanning 20 acres and holding 25,000 people, LA Pride in the Park is one of the largest official Pride concerts in the country. The nonprofit Christopher Street West has been creating the LA Pride celebration for more than 50 years. General admission and VIP passes are now available for purchase lapride.org.
During his nearly four-decade career, Martin brought Latin music and culture into the mainstream, paving the way for an explosion of crossover talent.
Born in Puerto Rico in 1971, Martin rose to fame as a member of Menudo before embarking on a highly successful solo career that earned him two Grammy Awards and four Latin Grammy Awards.
Martin's 1999 “Livin' La Vida Loca” topped the Billboard Hot 100 for five consecutive weeks and received Grammy Awards for Record and Song of the Year. He was also nominated for record of the year at the inaugural Latin Grammys in 2000 – a show made possible by the undeniable success of crossover artists such as Martin, Santana and Marc Anthony, among others.
In May 1999, Martin appeared on its cover year in a story titled “Latin Music Goes Pop!” In November 2006, at the age of 34, he became the youngest ever recipient of the year at the Latin Recording Academy's annual gala.
Martin is also an accomplished actor, earning a Primetime Emmy nod for his role on FX's The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story and showcasing his talent on Broadway. He starred Jingle Jangle for Netflix, opposite Forest Whitaker and Anika Noni Rose and now we can see them in the Apple TV series Palm Royale alongside Laura Dern, Kristen Wiig, Allison Janney and Carol Burnett.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/culture/pride/ricky-martin-la-pride-in-the-park-headliner-performance-1235666972/
