Former General Hospital star Ricky Martin is part of the ensemble of the limited series The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, which debuts on FX tonight at 10 pm. The drama recounts the real-life actions of Andrew Cunnan, who killed five people in 1997, including the famed Miami-based fashion designer.
Martin, who played Miguel Morez on GH, plays Versace’s partner Antonio D’Amico, who tragically discovered the designer’s body after Cunnan shot and killed him.
“I wanted to do [Antonio’s] story justice,” Martin tells Soap Hub. To that end, he reached out to D’Amico and had conversations with him so he could play his role properly.
“There was misinterpretation as to their relationship. They were partners romantically and in business. Gianni would defend Antonio whenever anyone would take negatively about him.”
Martin adds that D’Amico was touched that the actor/singer wanted to speak with him. “After 20 years, this was all getting stirred up again for him, so it was emotionally draining,” Martin says. “[Antonio] said it would be more difficult for him to see something on TV that wasn’t true.”
In addition to performing, Martin is an advocate for the plight of people living in Puerto Rico, who are still suffering from the devastating effects of Hurricane Maria that swept through the island last year.
“It’s important to keep talking about the fact that 4 million U.S. citizens there live in extreme isolation,” Martin says.
The actor/singer is also very passionate about ending human trafficking. He first became aware of it when he traveled to India where a friend of his was building an orphanage.
“We got there and he said, ‘Let’s rescue some girls,” Martin recalls. “They were only five years old and being lured in. After I came home, I educated myself about [trafficking]. We have to keep fighting it.”
If GH reached out to Martin and asked him to reprise Miguel in a story that would shed light on conditions in Puerto Rico and on human trafficking, would he return to the ABC soap?
“Are you kidding me?” Martin replies. “Of course, I would do it! I want to take advantage of the power music has given me.”
General Hospital (GH) airs weekdays on ABC. Check local listings for airtimes.
Video Credit: FX Networks
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