Ricky Martin remains silent as HORRIFYING story of Menudo, the world's most popular boy band revealed
In a recent docuseries titled 'Menudo: Forever Young’, Ricky Martin’s former band members have opened up about being sexually abused by their manager Edgardo Díaz. However, the 50-year-old singer, who was in the band from 1984 to 1989, has not been interviewed for the docuseries and chose not to comment.
The disturbing four-part mini-series, which was released on June 23 on HBO Max, shows the former band members talking to the camera about the alleged abuse. The docuseries about the band that consisted of around 40 members over the decades it was active uncovers the dark underside of the boy band business.
RELATED ARTICLES
Who is Angelo Garcia? Ricky Martin's former Menudo bandmate, 46, reveals he was 'raped at 11'
Who is Edgardo Díaz? Ricky Martin's ex-bandmates from Menudo allege sexual abuse by manager
Martin's entry and exit from Menudo
Martin joined Menudo in 1984 and retired from the group in 1989 as the boys who turned 16 and hit puberty used to be replaced with new, younger members, keeping the boy band forever young.
In an interview with Rolling Stone in 1999, he spoke about becoming a member of the band. He said, "The first time, they told me I was too short. It was horrible. The second time, the manager said, 'Buddy, buy a basketball so you can grow.' The third time they called, it was: 'Four feet ten? You're just not going to grow.' The fourth time, they just told me, 'You are the new Menudo. Tomorrow you're on a plane to Orlando. Maybe you're not the best singer or dancer, but you wanted it so bad. That's why you became a Menudo.'"
His arrival at the band represented the departure of Ricky Meléndez, one of the original members. As he made his entry, his first song 'Rayo de Luna' made him stand out for his talent and good looks that caught the attention of fans. In 1989, he bid the band goodbye and thanked the entire audience and producer Edgardo Díaz during a show in the presence of thousands of fans. After leaving the band, the singer pursued acting and recorded his debut solo album titled 'Ricky Martin'.
Ricky Martin, the golden kid
Ray Acevedo, who was there from 1985 to 1988 in the band, spoke about Ricky Martin. “From all of the members who came out, he was the least talented, the most good-looking. Ricky was the golden kid,” Acevedo said. Menudo's Sergio Blass (1986 to 1991) mentioned that because of his seniority, Martin treated him like a rookie. “To be with Ricky was brutal. If someone knocked on the door, I had to open it. If the phone rang, I had to pick it up. I was like his housewife," he said.
During an interview with Univisión, Martin confessed that he has a good relationship with Edgardo Díaz and that he did not feel hurt or exploited.
