Speculation over the last week has been rife, making this one of the worst kept secrets in TV. This month. Ricky Martin will certainly bring a slick international sound and flavour to the judging panel – but will the risk pay off for Channel 9? From the press release:
Grammy award winning Latin Superstar Ricky Martin, today was announced as the highly anticipated fourth coach for Season Two of the biggest show on Australian Television, The Voice.
With a solo career that has seen the release of 51 singles, 15 albums and over 60 million album sales worldwide, Martin will join fellow coaches Seal, Joel Madden and Delta Goodrem in the 2013 quest to find Australia’s best Voice.
Already accustomed to the spotlight from the five years he spent in Menudo, Ricky Martin set-off on his own musical path with the 1991 release of his self-titled debut, and quickly established himself as a chart-topping star throughout the Spanish-speaking world with just his first two albums. Soon after, with the escalating success of landmark singles such as “Maria” and his widely embraced 1998 World Cup Anthem “La Copa de la Vida,” Martin vaulted to the level of bona fide international superstar and the natural performer to lead an oncoming cultural revolution.
In a definitive example of stealing the show, Ricky Martin burst in the consciousness of all global music fans with a historic performance of “The Cup of Life” at the 41st Annual GRAMMY Awards on the evening of February 24, 1999. The New York Times said the famed GRAMMY moment “put a match to the tinder of the pop-music world” and instantly established Martin as “the symbol of Latin culture’s new mainstream status.” The quick to follow release of “Livin’ La Vida Loca” saw Martin deliver some of the best-selling singles of all-time and land on the Cover of TIME Magazine.
Declared “an international pop icon and Latin Music’s Global Ambassador” by Billboard and recognized by the Latin Recording Academy as it’s youngest-ever “Person of the Year” honoree, Ricky Martin has continued to perform to sold-out stadium and arena audiences throughout the world, while also being heralded for his far-reaching philanthropic efforts.
In 2010, Martin made his debut on the New York Times Bestseller list with the release of his highly praised autobiography “ME,” and quickly followed its success with the Spring 2011 release of his eagerly awaited twelfth album “Musica+Alma+Sexo” – which posted the highest Billboard debut in 15 years for a Spanish language album. After bringing his daring “M.A.S. Tour” to audiences across the world, the start of 2012 saw Ricky fusing his love of musical performance with an expansion of his capability as an actor. His year began with a critically heralded guest appearance on the hit television series GLEE, and then Martin embarked on his long-awaited return to Broadway – where he has received rave reviews and become a top-box office draw with his starring role in the first-ever Broadway revival of EVITA.
Ricky Martin was credited by TIME Magazine in 1999 as being responsible for a growing Latin cultural influence in the mainstream of American pop music. In 2007, Martin was honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.Nine’s Director of Television, Michael Healy said: “Ricky Martin is one of the world’s biggest stars. He brings huge experience to our panel of coaches which he’ll pass on to our Australian Voice artists in 2013. Most of all, we think he’s the perfect addition to Delta, Joel and Seal and all three of them are thrilled he’s joining them in the Big Red Chairs next year.”
Ricky Martin expressed his excitement via Twitter earlier today “Sending some mad love to everyone in #Australia! Can’t wait to go back! Peace!”
The Voice will return to screens in 2013, bigger and better than ever before.