“You've got presence, man.”
This line from episode four Palm Royale It couldn't be more fitting when describing Ricky Martin's character in the Apple TV+ series. While those words are actually spoken to the Puerto Rican star's character, Robert Diaz, they also perfectly describe how much Martin stands out in a cast that includes Hollywood stars. Carol Burnett, Laura Dern and Kristen Wiig.
“I feel very lucky to be a part of such a wonderful project,” says the Grammy-winning artist Advertising sign via Zoom. Adding that what was key to nailing such a multi-layered character as Robert was silence. “What I mean by silence is the time I spent with my script and the secrets that make it so powerful. Also, obviously, the challenges he has as a man who has to hide his reality in the 60s. It's something that gave me a lot of strength and I used every emotion, from fear, uncertainty, fear of rejection, I used all those dark emotions and I think that helped me create a strong, strong character.”
Set in 1960s Palm Beach, Florida, Martin brings to life Robert, a bartender at the high-society club Palm Royale, and his loyal companion/caregiver Norma (Burnett). He's best described as a stoic and fierce protector of his friends (though they may not be the best of people) — and while he can be cold and uncaring towards others at first, he'll win your heart episode after episode as it allows vulnerability and transparency to take center stage. Robert is also a gay man who struggles with his sexual identity and, in a powerful scene with Wiig and Dern, says, “I just want to be human.”
“An acting coach once told me, 'Actors can't lie, you just have to put on the shoes of the character you're playing and act exactly as you would in any situation.' To be honest, transparent and hope for the best, and that's what I've done with this character,” adds Martin, who will be the first openly gay Latino artist to headline LA Pride in the Park, which return to Los. Angeles State Historic Park on June 8.
If you've followed the Latin superstar's career from the beginning – which began in the early 1980s as a member of the hugely popular band Menudo – you'll know that Palm Royale is not Martin's acting debut. In fact, he has been acting since he was 15 with roles in Spanish-language soap operas, General Hospital and, in 2017, landed a starring role on Ryan Murphy's The Assassination of Gianni Versace – American Crime Story. But doing Palm Royale he struck differently and lit a fire to continue acting.
“The first time I was in front of a camera, I was 15 years old — it was a very beautiful time,” he recalls. “Obviously later music did its thing, and I can't deny the power of music in my life, and it's something I'll always be grateful for. But at the end of the day I'm a storyteller… I'll tell you a story through music or a script — I'll make it my own. I will share with you what I feel. That fluidity of storytelling is exciting and I'm addicted to it, so hopefully I'll be doing more of it because I just love how it feels.”
Spoiler alert below
Apple has yet to renew the series for a second season, but the end of the series certainly leaves a lot of room for imagination. In the season finale, Robert is shot in the crossfire. In the final minutes of episode 10, he is lying on the ground fighting for his life.
“My cell phone is on fire,” Martin says with a smile. “Everybody's crying, asking what's next, is there going to be a second season, but that's the beauty of this show. At the end of every episode there's a huge cliffhanger, and I think the tentacles that are left in this story, it can go in so many directions.”
All his episodes Palm Royale now streaming on Apple TV+.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/latin/ricky-martin-palm-royale-finale-1235678737/
