HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Ricky Martin says his decision to come out as a gay man earlier this year via a message on his Web site was a long time coming.
"I couldn't take it anymore," the 38-year-old singer told Oprah Winfrey Tuesday. "It was too painful."
Martin said the decision to reveal his sexuality came about thanks to his 2-year-old twin sons, Valentino and Matteo.
"What am I gonna teach them, how to lie?" he told Winfrey. "Before I decided to become a father, I already accepted who I was and I was happy with who I was. Then, when I was holding my children, I said, okay, it's time to tell the world."
The "Livin' la Vida Loca" singer said he felt a sense of relief after he sent the message heard round the world.
"I felt numb. I felt relieved, when I realized that okay, I just pressed send," explained Martin, who is promoting his new memoir titled Me. "I was in my studio, alone for a minute. My assistant walked in and I just started crying like a little baby. He held me, he grabbed me in my arms, and he said 'Let it go, let it go. Finally you're free.' "
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