Star Stormed Off Set After Shocking Question About His Sexuality

It was the early 2000s, and Ricky Martin was riding high on international fame when an interview with Billy Bush took a turn that nearly derailed the whole thing.

Bush, then a young reporter for Access Hollywood, had flown to Miami for a sit-down with the Latin pop icon. But instead of sticking to the usual promo-friendly questions, he decided to probe Martin about his sexuality—something the singer hadn’t yet addressed publicly.

Bush recalled the moment on Rob Lowe’s podcast Literally!, admitting it was one of his biggest regrets. “I said, ‘Eight people at the hotel bar last night wanted to know if you’re gay,’” Bush remembered. Martin’s reaction was instant. “He stiffens up, says ‘What?’ Then he goes, ‘You motherf–ker,’ rips off his mic and storms off set.”

Left in shock, Bush watched as the production unraveled. His producer panicked, and soon after, his bosses in L.A. called to scold him.

To his credit, Bush immediately apologized to Martin face-to-face. “Ricky, I’m so sorry for asking that question. It was wrong,” he told the singer. Martin responded with honesty and grace, saying, “I’ve been struggling with this my whole life. There will be a time and place—but not here, not now.”

Martin eventually came out as gay in 2010, calling himself a “fortunate homosexual man” in a heartfelt letter to fans. He later said he was traumatized by press attempts to out him, especially during high-pressure interviews like the one with Barbara Walters in 2000.

Bush says he and Martin made peace years later. “He gave me a huge hug,” Bush said. “I learned a valuable lesson that day—don’t be an idiot, and understand the boundaries of people’s stories.”