Ricky Martin:
Hi. It feels great. This feels great.

Moderator:
Do you have any opening comments for us?

Ricky Martin:
It feels great. Anxious? Yes, I am, perhaps. But it's a very, very important day for me. I've been working on this album for quite some time now. Finally, I get to show my baby. And it feels great. Thank you guys for joining us tonight.

Moderator:
OK. First question we have is from Sorella11, and the question is: How does it feel to be one of the leading artists in the music world?

Ricky Martin:
It's been a long journey. It's been a long journey. A beautiful journey, In fact, it is great getting to know so many people and growing as a person and as an entertainer. I'm thankful, thankful to God just for letting me do music and express my emotions and educate with my music. It feels great. Sometimes I feel it's a really big responsibility, but I guess I'm not going to be put in any situation unless I'm ready for it. And that's how I wake up every morning, and it feels great. Thanks for the question.

Moderator:
With that responsibility, do you ever feel like you have to act in a certain way, as a role model, for instance, to young people?

Ricky Martin:
You know what? I've said this on many occasions. I cannot wear a mask when I go onstage. What you see is what you get, pretty much. I enjoy what I do, and the day I stop feeling the rush and the adrenaline that I feel every time I'm onstage, I'm going to quit. I'm just going to stop doing this, and I'm going to step out for a second to see what's really happening. For now, it's just very casual, you know. It's a lot of work. It's very intense. But it's just beautiful.

Moderator:
The next question we have is from Djezdebski. It is: Hey, Ricky, I was just wondering, what is your favorite song on the new album, and why? I think you're a great singer.

Ricky Martin:
Thank you very much. You know, there's a song called "Saint Tropez." I think it's track number two on the CD. First of all, to have the opportunity to work with an amazing guy. He's a legend in Latin America. He's done amazing things for Latin America sounds. His name is Arturo Sandoval. And he took this song to the next level with his soul, through his trumpet. And I think musically speaking, I love this. It's fascinating for me. As a ballad, I like "Come to Me." I think it's great. It's a great ballad. It has emotion. And "Loaded" is number one for me, definitely. It will probably be the next single after "She Bangs."

Moderator:
OK. Next question is from Oreo710.

Ricky Martin:
Oreo710? LOL.

Moderator:
Yes. :) Ricky, when you first started singing solo, what was your goal?

Ricky Martin:
When I started singing solo, I was 18 years old, and I was going through a very fast pace at the moment, but at the same time I was just enjoying the moment, to be quite honest. I was performing, enjoying getting to know myself onstage once again, even though I started when I was 12. But this was, as a soloist, completely different. And then I started seeing that, you know, every step that was taken was very positive and very intense. With time on the road, I started analyzing a little bit more how my life, musically speaking, has turned, and I said, you know what? This is my life. This is what I was born for. And, you know, it was all about time. And that's the way it was. Up until today, I am still looking for missions, I was still looking for places to go to and things to find out, to keep growing. So all I have to say is that today my mission is to educate, to talk a little bit more about my culture and about emotions that perhaps, I don't know, people maybe are afraid to talk about. You know, very casual and natural feelings.

Moderator:
Our next AOL member question is from IM4FSU, and it is: How were they able to film your video without causing complete chaos at the Atlantis? Was it a closed set? The place is hopping 24/7, and you're such a big draw. It amazing me you could use the lobby.

Ricky Martin:
LOL. Yeah, we used the lobby. It was a Monday, low season, and we were shooting at 3:00 in the morning, 4:00 in the morning. I think it was pretty far from the casino. But it was very nice, the experience. Sort of four days of intense adrenaline in a beautiful way, very creative moments.

Moderator:
DawsonGrove77 asks: Ricky, I'm wondering what you like to do when you're not on the road.

Ricky Martin:
Simple, simple -- first, I spend two days, at least, locked in my room flipping channels on the television. And my dogs, and my friends will come over, because I really don't like to leave my house whenever I'm at home. And I want to wash my car. Jet-ski, perhaps. Practicing surfing at the moment, so whenever I have time, I just drive. I live in Miami, so I just drive up north where you can get better waves.

Moderator:
So just relaxing, doing the normal day-to-day stuff. That sounds great!

Ricky Martin:
It is all about peace.

Moderator:
Our next one is from AOL Mexico.

Ricky Martin:
Yeah! Beso!

Moderator:
One of our members down there, asks: Did you write any of the songs on your new album?

Ricky Martin:
The songs became mine after they were written. I say they became mine, because I talked to all of my composers, and we find that moment of peace, I guess, and we just start talking about life and exchanging ideas, and they do the art. They do the art. I have written things in Spanish, mainly. And I think they do a really good job just translating my emotions to a beautiful lyric.

Moderator:
The next question is from AOL Argentina, actually, and it's: Do you have plans to record another album all in Spanish? And it's from screen name FKAAI22.

Ricky Martin:
In fact, this album, it's bilingual. This album has five songs in Spanish. But definitely, my next album will be in Spanish. I think that it's something that I need to do. I am not going to stop singing in Spanish. We'll do it in any language, but definitely in Spanish, which will be my priority.

Moderator:
AOL Music would like to know: Could you name five CDs that you have in your CD player now? What have you been listening to lately?

Ricky Martin:
Sure. Right now I am enjoying Buena Vista Social Club. I have Moby's "Play." I love Casa Del Mar. I have Buckshot LeFonque. And, of course, my album "Sound Loaded." LOL.

Moderator:
Very eclectic! Our next question is: What will be your New Year's resolution this year?

Ricky Martin:
My New Year's resolution. Boy, the Chinese New Year's resolution? The Thai? Jewish? LOL.

Moderator:
I guess it's your choice. Or you can have a resolution for each one, if you like.

Ricky Martin:
I'll have a resolution for today, and it's to keep taking care of my soul as a priority.

Moderator:
Tusiac asks: Ricky, your voice seems to sound different on this album as compared to your last album. Is that for any particular reason?

Ricky Martin:
Perhaps it's the fact that I was doing concerts and recording the album at the same time. It sounds different. I felt really comfortable with the tones. I felt really comfortable with the melodies, the harmonies, as well. I felt that I was more in control.

Moderator:
Next one we have is from VTheotis. It is: Dear Ricky, it it is apparent your music is inspired by your faith in God and by soul reflection. Does it reflect where you are in your journey in your life?

Ricky Martin:
Ying and yang is definitely part of our lives. Positive, negative. At the same time, it's just a circle that never ends. Life is full of ups and downs. You know, for some people, you know, what's highs for me, sometimes it's lows for others. I don't know. It's just getting to know yourself and just feeling your emotions. And trusting them.

Moderator:
OK. The next one we have is from our AOL Kids Only area. The question is: Do you have any advice for up-and-coming singers, especially with all of the new technologies out there today?

Ricky Martin:
First of all, be surrounded by the right group of people. Now, after that, we can talk about music. Listen to a lot of music. Listen to it all. There's always a new CD that you can find that you will enjoy. And with technicality, whatever feels good, that is the law of making music.

Moderator:
Boktor80 asks: If you didn't have a singing career, what do you think you would be doing instead?

Ricky Martin:
I'd be a more frustrated guy. You know, I like psychology a lot.

Moderator:
You think you would probably study that?

Ricky Martin:
Perhaps.

Moderator:
Interesting.

Ricky Martin:
Maybe I can still do it.

Moderator:
Definitely. You know, do some reading while you're on the road, right?

Ricky Martin:
Definitely.

Moderator:
As well as analysis.

Ricky Martin:
Right. LOL.

Moderator:
The next one again is from the AOL Kids Only section, and that is: Who did you look up to when you were growing up? And who inspired you?

Ricky Martin:
My grandmother. A very beautiful woman, very intelligent, very peaceful, very active at the same time. Very beautiful, very beautiful grandmother.

Moderator:
AOLive MC19 asks: What do you think about of this election confusion? Especially because you live in Miami.

Ricky Martin:
We should vote again.

Moderator:
Good call! MBSiggy would like to know what you think about acting. They ask: I always watched you on "General Hospital," and I was wondering if you were planning on doing any more acting in the future.

Ricky Martin:
I would like to do film. I would like to go back to theater. I am reading some scripts at the moment, very interesting ones, though. Right now I'm with music, though. Let's see what happens next year. But that sounds very interesting, and it's something that I've done before, and I would like to go back there.

Moderator:
This actually has a statement in Spanish. It is: Ricky quiero que sepas que todos estamos orgullosos de ti. What does it mean, Ricky?

Ricky Martin:
It means I want you to know that we're very proud of you. :)

Moderator:
OK. Super! And they go on to say in English: As Latinos, we feel that you've helped make our image a positive one. Thank you. Here is my question -- what has been the biggest challenge in your artistic career?

Ricky Martin:
Pretty much every day is a challenge, but I guess...hmm...the biggest challenge?

Moderator:
You could state what your biggest challenge has been or what it could be in the future. Or you could focus on lofty goals or objectives of yours that you have yet to accomplish.

Ricky Martin:
Doing "Les Miserables" on Broadway was something I always wanted, at least since I started doing theater in Mexico. I remember the first night I was standing onstage, it was really pretty scary.

Moderator:
I bet.

Ricky Martin:
But it was incredibly rewarding.

Moderator:
Next question is from Skip Diamond, and the question is: Are you able to enjoy yourself with so much fame hitting you at once? What is the biggest thing that's changed since your life has become so public?

Ricky Martin:
Paparazzis. LOL.

Moderator:
Oh, no!

Ricky Martin:
Well, I started when I was 12 years old, and, you know, it's been highs and lows. And what I mean by highs and lows is moments of tranquility, moments of lots of adrenaline. And I guess that's the way it is now. For the past maybe five years, I've been working very intensely. But I'm doing something I really enjoy. Let's take it one step at a time, and let's look forward for the next vacations.

Moderator: PuertoRicanGirli has a comment. She says that she knows that from your previous CD, "I Am Made of You" was one of your favorite songs, for spiritual reasons.

Ricky Martin:
Mm-hmm.

Moderator:
She would like to say it was a beautiful song, and that it's one of her favorites as well.

Ricky Martin:
Thank you very much. Hi, Puerto Rico!

Moderator:
OK. AeonFluxBaby would like to know: How do you think this album is different from your past ones?

Ricky Martin:
This album has more of an international sound. I, having the opportunity to tour in different countries, felt more in touch with different sounds from different cultures, and we will sense a little bit of this. We have tango. We have samba. We have Middle Eastern sounds. And with the self-titled "Ricky Martin" album, we were more influenced by the Anglo. By Anglo sounds. And I think this album is more mature as well.

Moderator:
The next one is from BZParents, and the question is: What kind of messages do you feel your music sends to teenagers about sexuality, as well as sensuality today? Or what it sends to, you know, a general audience, if you'd like to comment on that as well.

Ricky Martin:
Thank you for your question. It's the kind of music that talks about not feeling judged, of just acting your emotions out and, at the same time, respecting others. And, of course, respecting yourself. But no taboos. Not only my music, opportunities like this, just to be able to talk about it, I think, is very important. It's a subject that should be touched, or dealt with, in a very natural way, I think. It was not like that in my case, and that's why I have the need to let the audience know that natural aspect of sexuality. And at the same time my culture, I guess, is very -- the way our sounds make us dance, and the ritual of a couple dancing like the tango or the samba, it's very sensual as well, so it's a part of my culture. That's why I sense it that way and I enhance it, as well, that way.

Moderator: Astrub says: Ricky, I saw your interview on "Behind the Music" on MTV. It brought me to tears several times. You seemed so sad about all that you've given up to be a star -- love, family, personal time, privacy. Do you ever regret becoming this big?

Ricky Martin:
You know, it's time to add and not subtract. I have moments of weakness, but you just go through them and experience those emotions and analyze them, and then understand that the only plan, or mission, we have in life is to get stronger. And at the same time, I get so many great satisfactions in this career. That's what I mean about adding and not subtracting.

Moderator:
SkylerDMB would like you to know that they love your new haircut.

Ricky Martin:
Thank you!

Moderator:
They're --

Ricky Martin:
I'm letting it grow a little. I'll become Kojak afterwards.

Moderator:
Sounds like a great plan. :) The next question we have is from Funmantasticle, it's: You're such a beautiful person, your voice is amazing. Since you're in so many fields of the arts, which is your favorite?

Ricky Martin:
Definitely to be onstage with a live band and a very intense audience, it's something that is definitely not easy to let go of. So definitely music. It's the most important part of my career. Theater was also very interesting. Very interesting. But then again, music was also there.

Moderator:
Do you have any particular holiday traditions that you practice in your family in the wintertime?

Ricky Martin: Yes.

Moderator:
And also, is there anything that you want under your Christmas tree this year?

Ricky Martin:
You know that in Puerto Rico we have a very beautiful tradition that is called baranda. And what we do is a group of friends, we all get together, we go to a friend's house... and we start singing until he or she opens the door, and then they welcome us with their music. Then they go with us to another house. And then that family would go with us to the next house. And then -- until -- you can be doing this until maybe 6:00 in the morning. And when you get to the last house, they will welcome you with food, with like breakfast. But it would be like a soup. Called la Sopa. It's a very beautiful tradition.

Moderator:
Definitely. It sounds like a better version of caroling in the U.S. The next one we have is: Do you have any upcoming collaborations? I loved your performance with Celia Cruz and Gloria Estefan at the Latin Grammy Awards this year.

Ricky Martin:
Thank you. I'm completely open for any collaboration. I think it's fascinating to be able to just to get onstage with people that -- well, that are part of the stage, and you can learn from each other. Not for now. Not for now. Usually, it just happens. It's not something that you have scheduled. It's like, "OK, let's do it today," and you do it. Or "You know what? Let's get in the studio. Let's record."

Moderator:
Very spontaneous, I guess?

Ricky Martin:
Very spontaneous, exactly.

Moderator:
We're starting to near the end of the chat. We have a couple minutes left, it looks like. The last question that I'll be taking from the audience here is: I love your new single, "She Bangs." What is the next single that you have planned?

Ricky Martin:
It will be "Loaded." It will be "Loaded."

Moderator:
Wow. Great song! Do you have any final or closing comments today?