I’ve blogged earlier about how India tends to attract B-list musicians, ones no longer at the peak of their popularity but often with some emotional connection to India. Here’s another example — Ricky Martin will be performing in India next month (HT to Hilal)
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Do I have enough gel in my hair? |
However, this concert is a bit different. It’s a private performance at a “high profile shaadi in Jaipur“. The match between former Menudo star and “Mumbai-based industrialist Neeraj Raja Kocchar” (the father of the groom) was made by DJ Aqeel, fresh from spinning disks for the well heeled at the World Economic Forum at Davos. Apparently slightly past their prime international pop stars are the new status symbol for extravagant weddings — who knew? Now I know what to get the tycoon who has everything.
I was also surprised to read that this wasn’t Martin’s first performance in India. In 2005, he performed a benefit for children with HIV/AIDS at the Taj Mahal as part of his ongoing engagement with the issue of children’s rights:
Martin, however, is no stranger to India. He has visited the country several times, most recently to record the string arrangements for his first English-language album in five years, “Life”. Martin, a UNICEF goodwill ambassador, has long been a strong advocate of children’s rights and protection through his Ricky Martin Foundation. He also backs groups working to prevent child trafficking and prostitution in several countries, including India. [Link]Martin rescued three young girls from the streets of Kolkata from a life of prostitution… [Link]
Social activism. It’s not just for Bono and Madonna and Peter Gabriel and Bob Geldorf and … any more.
yeah, ricki was their in 2004/5 meditating and learning yoga… as someone once said..you don’t go to india as a tourist.. you go as a pilgrim..too bad shilpa shetty was already booked to make an appearance at the wedding…;).
yet another news item i didn’t send over because i figured you would never blog about it =)
Sonia, you can never go wrong by underestimating the trashiness of my taste in news. It’s Abhi who’s the high-brow one of us all … besides which, I’ve been blogged on this theme of B-list groups / performers going to India before …
either this guy has a really small head, or he has really long fingers, or that’s ET stroking his chin — it’s just a little creepy, that’s all i’m saying.
There was some research published a few years ago about gay guys having certain fingers of the same length–the index and middle finger, I think. In most people, the index is considerably shorter. Oddly, lesbians had the same feature. It had something to do with testosterone levels during fetal development.
“There was some research published a few years ago about gay guys having certain fingers of the same length–the index and middle finger, I think.”
I hadn’t realized that Mr. Martin had come out of the closet. It’s about time! 🙂
You gotta keep on hustlin man and Ricky keep shaking your bon bon until it falls off.
Michael ‘creepo’ Jackson is gonna start performin at weddings in Dubai to get that dough
So does the Mutiny need to start saving, just in case Vinod ever gets hitched?
Dunno, what are your rates 😉
“I hadn’t realized that Mr. Martin had come out of the closet. It’s about time! :)”
The clue was the “golden shower” he mentions in an interview. Sounds like a Sherlock Holmes story, but apparently it has a certain meaning that people with index fingers that same length as their middle fingers, understand.
Ennis, did you see this part? If you wanna really be trashy (and I for one would like it if you would :), you could’ve included this little tidbit instead of linking to it in wiki…
In December 2005, Ricky Martin bluntly told American Blender magazine that he “loved giving the golden shower” to his partners. -from the wikipedia link you posted….
oops. Keymaster beat me to it.
Oh, I had faith that somebody would find it and post it in the comments 🙂
I swear I’m not trying to threadjack but I’m curious about this-
The clue was the “golden shower” he mentions in an interview. Sounds like a Sherlock Holmes story, but apparently it has a certain meaning that people with index fingers that same length as their middle fingers, understand
Can someone please tell me o why this is considered a gay thing?
I’m sure we could achieve some middle ground that would leave all parties satisfied.
@coach ignorance? and i don’t mean in a gaybashing homophobic sort of way either.
but seriously, those are some creepy fingers.
considering his superbowl halftime show, i think prince is also going to be performing there soon.
A bit of a threadjack related to your former post and its reference in this one, Aikon performed in Mumbai in mid-January. One-hit wonder already going down-hill? My bet is that the hand is a frantic fan’s.
“the golden shower” for all the pavam straight folks :
Its when you drink a lot of fluids(water) until you pee clear. Then you goto the shower stall/tub and pee on the other person. It is supposedly erotic (for both), and mostly considered a perversion. And since it is a perversion, it has to be a gay thing (coz we gays are a twisted bunch)
Anyway, even among gay guys, the golden shower thing is considered “taking things a bit too far”.
Ricky Martin is associated with a charity called Sabera that wants to improve conditions for the poor children of Calcutta. Penelope Cruz & Melanie Griffith are the others associated with it. I think it’s some kind of a Spanish thing (Melanie is married to Antonio Banderas). Some years ago Melanie Griffith did a fundraiser for these folks where she mentioned how the people in Calcutta live in unbelievable poverty & why it is important for rich Hollywood types to help them. Call it the City Of Joy/ Mother Theresa effect. Is it time for Ricky to make a white man’s burden movie in India?
Oher than the golden showes one, my favorite strange Ricky Martin story is this.
Right that’s it. Golden Showers. SepiaMutiny has now officially featured every topic in the world.
Ah Tipu that’s an urban myth. My Danish friend told me the same story happening on Danish TV, except with a pussycat.
RS, maybe it’s a kinky European reality TV thing? 🙂
guys he did some thing nice (in India nonetheless)
and you gay bash him on his fingers? or this is what stands out to you?
additionally, calling ricky martin b-list musician is like saying aishwarya rai is a b-list actress because you don’t see her in many hollywood movies. martin is actually extremely popular in the entire latin community, similarly to ash in the desi community.
If you by B-list you mean, have been stars, then look no further than the Superbowl halftime show!
From: Prince
I wouldn’t be surprised if Ricky Martin, Penelope Cruz, Banderas et al have some gypsy ancestry. There are numerous part-gypsies passing for spaniards and portuguese, especially in South America. Gypsies supposedly originated in India.
It is relevant to note here that the Albanian Catholic Mother Teresa, also associated with charity in poor Calcutta, was also of gypsy ancestry.
Shlok – you’re implying that I gay bashed him on his fingers, although you don’t specify who you mean by “you”. That’s a serious accusation, and one I resent. I said no such thing. If you’re going to throw around charges like that, at least have the decency to look back at who wrote what.
ennis, i suppose my comment does imply i was referring to you. i sincerely apologize. i was annoyed by the direction the thread had gone. and was speaking in general.
only the b-list comment was meant for you. grew up in puerto rico(where ricky martin is from), and i am in tune with whats going on in the latin entertainment industry. can sincerely tell you martin is a big name still in all my latin friends’ households. he actuallly has a big single playing on (spanish) radio stations right now.
Bob Geldof
Didn’t he date Raveena Tandon for a bit? before he became famous in the states, right around 98 world cup time?! anyone remember that?
Oh geez-where do I start?
Shlok- I only commented on the golden shower aspect of the wiki post because it is so unusual for a celebrity to be so frank about his freak in public. The fingers comment was #6- made by a gay guy. 🙂 NOT Ennis. Sorry the thread went to an uncomfortable place for you. I suppose I’m partly to blame for that. I’ll get away from this thread soon.
Zimblymallu & Suede- I’m quite familiar with the golden shower, I just don’t understand why unusual sex practices are so often labeled as a part of gay culture. It is my opinion that everyone’s a “freak” in some way.
Finally- If somebody is gettin down with a one-legged, tranny, bi-racial dwarf and the dwarf’s mother, GOOD FOR THEM. If all parties are of age and consenting, what do I care?
Don’t leave Coach! I mean, how can we drive a Latina out of a post on Ricky Martin! That would be soooo wrong!
I loves me some Ennis.
I need your trashy, sexy posts during my planning period, right before I act as an upstanding role model for the rest of the day.
Ennis, At least Ricky Martin has “She Bangs” that is popular in the US thanks to William Hung. Nice catch on the popularity of B-list musicians in India. You should have a poll on the “sidey-est” artist/group that’s “world famous” in India. My nominations are Aqua, Vengaboys, Deep Purple and Snow.
The photographer got places for a few of the kids in Born into Brothels at the Sabera Foundation.
Umm..from what I remember this guy has another Indian connection.
Evidently, he dated Sushmita Sen at or slightly before the time she became miss universe.
See his Smoke on the vater post. Lots of “world famous” folks there.
Hey now. I like old Purple. You might want to add Ace of Base and Modern Talking (quality 80’s cheese for your enjoyment) to that list.
This is a very poorly written post, full of cliches. I hope you get better at writing.
I bet there’s a website catering for that out there.
I don’t know how accurate that is. As we are all aware, I am most certainly of the gay, and there’s quite a disparity between the lengths of my index and middle digits. Conversely, I suppose I could make my mother happy by verifying her fervent hope(s) that I have indeed just been going through a phase.
Re: Martin, good grief, am I the only one seeing some serious acne scarring on his face?
Aisha:
Not to encourage things, I agree with you, but I suspect that the object of my agreement differs. I’m not quite sure if I’m ready to initiate a full-on clusterfuck, but grow up already. Judgemental bitchiness is NEVER a good way to present an opinion (and I should know).
Sin, You are correct about the scarring. It’s not a bad thing to me though.
Speaking of freakiness earlier, I happen to be partial to men with facial scars. I once dated a guy who was blinded in his left eye from a broken bottle. The deep, jagged scars around his non-functioning, clouded eye were quite sexy. (to me)
Mr. Martin is a little too pretty for my taste, but I do like a strong nose, face scars (as long as they’re not too much of a disfigurement) and body scars too!
This is not a personal ad, I’m just saying everybody has different tastes…ugly can be pretty.
It was indeed a poorly written post, although I don’t quite follow you on the cliches.
Here’s the thing. We actually have day jobs and some of us are quite busy at them. Despite that, for your amusement dear reader, I will occasionally sneak a little bit of time in the middle of my work day to get a post up, and then stay later at work to get my stuff done. Those posts are generally hit or miss — sometimes they’re natural and organic and other times they’re weak, like this one.
Still, I know that if I have the time to, I can write posts quite well. Whereas I suspect that you, with all the time in the world, will still be an ill-mannered b*tchy troll.