Ricky Martin will headline this year's LA Pride in the Park festival.
The June 8 concert, taking place at Chinatown State Historic Park in Los Angeles, will be the first Pride festival performance for the Latin pop superstar, who will also be the first gay Latino to headline the event.
“I'm thrilled to be spearheading LA Pride in the Park because it's an incredible opportunity to celebrate love, diversity and equality,” Martin said in a statement. “LA Pride is a testament to the power of community, the power of visibility, and the power of standing up for our rights. Being part of this vibrant community fills me with pride and purpose.”
Martin is the first act announced for LA Pride in the Park, the music-focused event from promoter Christopher Street West that left West Hollywood in 2021 after tensions with the local government in the former gay enclave. After opening the new 25,000-capacity event in 2022 with Christina Aguilera, last year's festival booked Mariah Carey and Megan Thee Stallion as headliners. Last year's West Hollywood competitive event featured Grace Jones and Carly Rae Jepsen.
“With his electrifying stage presence and chart-topping hits, Ricky Martin has long been an inspiration to millions of people around the world,” said Gerald Garth, CSW/LA Chairman of the Board of Directors. Pride. “His participation in LA Pride in the Park goes beyond mere entertainment; “symbolizes a powerful affirmation of queer Latino identity and a celebration of diversity within the LGBTQ+ community.”
Born in Puerto Rico, Martin's groundbreaking career began in the boy band Menudo and took off with “Livin' La Vida Loca” and the Latin explosion of the late '90s. He first came out as gay in 2010. He won two awards Grammy and four Latin Grammy Awards, and earned an Emmy nomination for his role in “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story.” His most recent album, “A Quien quiere Escuchar,” came out in 2015 and he currently co-stars in the Apple TV series “Palm Royale.”
Tickets for the event are now on sale.
