Ricky: Gay marriage will happen here

The Voice judge Ricky Martin says same sex marriage will happen in Australia. Source: News Limited

• Same sex marriage for Aussies 'inevitable'
• 'Love conquers all,' says Latino star
• The Voice showdown nears

HE'S been embraced as an adopted son by local fans of The Voice, now coach Ricky Martin has taken a step on to our political stage, claiming marriage equality legislation is "inevitable" in Australia.

The Latin superstar and human rights activist urged Federal politicians to follow the lead of the New Zealand and French parliaments which passed laws validating same sex marriage.

Martin said he was so touched by the joyous scenes which followed the changes in New Zealand, when the parliament's public gallery and politicians burst into a rousing chorus of a Maori love song, he shared the viral video with his 8.6 million Twitter followers.

"I had to tweet about that because love prevailed. Love conquers all," he said.

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The 41-year-old father of twin sons, who went public in 2010 as "a fortunate homosexual man," said the momentum which had seen countries including Holland, Argentina, Spain, Denmark and most recently, France endorse marriage equality would see the same changes happen in Australia.

"In 10 years from now hopefully we'll be laughing about the fact we are talking about this. Justice for all is inevitable," Martin told News Limited.

"We are beings of love and unfortunately because of different codes the church has given us we started saying the way you feel is not right, it makes you evil. But look what's happening in countries like Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, France as of this week, New Zealand ...c'mon (Australia)."

He said the legal recognition was "not about faith, it's not about religion, it's about human rights. It's about me having the opportunity to look my sons in the eye and say 'this is my husband and this is our family.' It's about self esteem, it's about dignity, it's about respect',".

While pressure mounts on Tony Abbott's Coalition to allow a conscience vote on the issue, Martin said the will of the Australian people would eventually win out.

"Oh my god, it will happen in Australia and I don't care where I am, I'm going to hop on a plane, go with you guys and celebrate."

Martin is expected to return to Sydney, with his children and partner Carlos Gonzales Abella, this week, ahead of filming of the next "showdown" phase of The Voice.

Tonight, his team of singers features heavily in the latest battle rounds, with Channel 9 loading up the episode with powerhouse performances in a bid to keep its audience advantage over Seven's grand finale of My Kitchen Rules.

Team Ricky ... contestants and mentor Jessica Mauboy next to Ricky. Picture: Channel 9 Source: Supplied

The pairing of Team Ricky favourites, Luke Kennedy, of Brisbane and NSW Police Band singer, Belinda Adams has been billed as a State of Origin of sorts, with their spine-tingling rendition of Les Miserables' I Dreamed A Dream set to open Sunday night's show.

Martin admitted the brutal process of eliminating artists had been the only hard part of an otherwise "awesome experience" on the show.

"It's very painful, excruciating. I didn't know it was going to feel like this ... you get so attached," he said. "It's not fair, but it's part of the game.

"I talk to the producers and they say 'hey Rick, what are you going to do? It's part of your contract. At a certain moment, you need to choose'."

But the singer, who is in talks about a national concert tour next year, joked he was plotting to "bring them all with me."

"You may be going home, but you're coming on the road with me next year."

Fans will get their chance to meet the Grammy winner at Westfield Parramatta (May 9, from 6pm) and Melbourne's Westfield Southland (May 11, at 12noon).

* Ricky Martin's Greatest Hits - Souvenir Edition album is in store and available for download now.

The Voice Australia .. Team Ricky mentor Jessica Mauboy. Picture: Channel 9 Source: Supplied

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Ricky Martin may call Sydney home

Ricky Martin says his twin sons Matteo and Valentino are loving life in Sydney and he's considering expanding his family and making the move here permanent. Picture: Stephen Cooper Source: The Daily Telegraph

KEITH Urban may still call Australia home, but his replacement on The Voice says he's been so "inspired, invigorated and totally accepted" by his experience filming in Sydney he's close to settling his family here - and adding to it.

In his first interview since filming began on the second season of Channel 9's blockbuster reality series, Ricky Martin has revealed he chose to sign on to the show to "focus on giving back" but has been sent on an emotional, "healing" journey back to the beginning of his own career and the life of a determined but at times isolated child singer.

The Grammy-winning star, who got his start in Latin boy band, Menudo, admits to feeling nervous about taking over from Urban and "the big responsibility to care for these beautiful, talented artists" he has so far helped discover on the show.

"Keith is amazing and so cool, but then again I just have to be me and not try to imitate anybody. I'm literally approaching this a melody at a time," Martin said.

"(The contestants) have allowed me to go back in time for a minute to the beginning of my music days and experience those feelings of uncertainty, of pressure and the need to be liked and the importance of what it was like to feel fear, be unsure of yourself. I started when I was 12 years old and to go back to then when things were simple, to be in touch with that child again, has been beautiful and healthy. So I'm getting back a lot," Martin said.

But it's been the ease with which his twin sons, Matteo and Valentino have taken to Aussie life which has brought Martin the greatest joy and has him considering a more permanent move.

"Obviously, now with my career, I make my decisions around the welfare of my children...and (Sydney) it's perfect. It's flowing beautifully, they're loving every minute of it. They have a life here without me. They say "Dad, today we're going to the zoo, tomorrow we might go to the Aquarium, then we might go to the beach but not now cause today we already have plans,'” he said, laughing.

Asked if he was thinking of staying here, he said: "Don't push me too hard because I'm a block away. I'm literally on the road and a block away. I just have to make a right turn and I'm there, making that decision. You guys have been so welcoming and I feel totally at ease here."

Fatherhood has clearly transformed the singer, who admitted he's not done with having babies yet.

"It might sound cheesy and repetitive, but this unconditional love, when you can bleed for someone and not be afraid of bleeding, that's what you get with kids. And I'm only starting, I want more. I think by the end of the year, I might start calling the stork...get ready for a little girl," he hinted.

Martin chose to bring his sons and a tutor from their French school in New York with him this trip, after enduring the pain of their first extended seperation from each other during filming of the blind auditions last month.

"It was the longest seperation (15 days), I was never more than 24 hours without them...but it was too long and too painful. (This time) has been very special, very magical. I'm not going to ask too many questions, I'm just allowing this lucky time to happen, to hop on the wave and surf it."

The human rights activist, who leads a global awareness campaign on child trafficking and equality issues, says he will also use The Voice platform to advance his causes.

Offering "bravo" to Julia Gillard's speech on human trafficking on Friday, he said "I need to read more about what's happening here, but if there is injustice I will not keep my mouth shut."

The Voice Australia returns to Channel 9 after Easter.

 

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