Ricky Martin says 90s 'intolerance' against LGBTQ community factored into murder of designer Gianni Versace

By Dailymail.com Reporter

Published: 01:23 EST, 8 December 2017 | Updated: 01:23 EST, 8 December 2017

It's a bold turn for Ricky Martin.

The 45-year-old entertainer, speaking to Haute Living Miami, opened up about his role in Ryan Murphy's The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, playing the late designer's partner Antonio D’Amico, and the social implications presented forth in the film.

Martin said that stigma surrounding the 'LGBTQ community in the 90s' indirectly factored into Versace's death, as his murderer, Andrew Cunanan, essentially hid in plain sight after killing at least four other gay men.

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Revealing: Ricky Martin, 45, opens up to Haute Living Miami about his role in The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, and how the intolerant climate surrounding the LGBTQ community at the time played a role in the designer's death

Revealing: Ricky Martin, 45, opens up to Haute Living Miami about his role in The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, and how the intolerant climate surrounding the LGBTQ community at the time played a role in the designer's death

'These are all things that Ryan wanted to point out with the making of this movie,' Martin told the publication. 'There is a lot of injustice in our lives, and we are unfortunately still dealing with these issues.'

Martin said that 'intolerance was a very real thing' in relation to the manhunt for Cunanan, whose brutal murders landed him a spot on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list prior to fatally shooting the famed designer.

'I think because he was killing gay men, authorities somewhat turned away and allowed it to happen,' Martin said, adding that 'Cunanan was on a killing spree, and Miami was his last stop.

'Cunanan was in Miami Beach for many weeks, and he was not hiding at all - he was on the list of the most wanted men by the FBI back then - what do you mean they didn’t find him before it happened?' the La Vida Loca singer asked. 'It’s not only the question of why he did it, but also, how did we allow that to happen?'

Watchful eye: Martin said the LGBTQ community has endured 'a lot of injustice ... and we are unfortunately still dealing with these issues'

Watchful eye: Martin said the LGBTQ community has endured 'a lot of injustice ... and we are unfortunately still dealing with these issues'

Balancing act: Martin said that he's 'very exposed' in his life, and strives toward transparency for his fans, but still relishes his 'private moments'

Balancing act: Martin said that he's 'very exposed' in his life, and strives toward transparency for his fans, but still relishes his 'private moments'

Martin pointed out the tragic consequences of authorities' inability to bring Cunanan into custody before he made it to Versace's mansion July 15, 1997.

'Gianni Versace was having the time of his life living in Miami Beach, and then all of a sudden, one day, he walked outside of his house to go buy a newspaper, and when he returned he wasn’t even able to open the door of his house before he was shot,' Martin said.

The She Bangs artist told the outlet he's 'very happy with the steps' society has shifted in terms of acceptance and equality toward the LGBTQ community.

'The fact that we can get married today is amazing - this is something that Gianni and Antonio wanted to do back then but were never allowed - it wasn’t even an option,' he said.

Still, Martin said, 'There’s still a lot of ignorance and hate in our world' and 'a lot that needs to be done.'

Hard at work: Edgar Ramirez (R) and Martin were snapped on the Miami Beach set of the Versace miniseries in May

Hard at work: Edgar Ramirez (R) and Martin were snapped on the Miami Beach set of the Versace miniseries in May

Character study: Versace and boyfriend D’Amico 'kept their relationship sacred as well as they could,' Martin told the publication

Character study: Versace and boyfriend D’Amico 'kept their relationship sacred as well as they could,' Martin told the publication

Bold statement: Martin said that 'authorities somewhat turned away' from serial killer Andrew Cunanan's (L) killing spree targeting gay men, thereby allowing the murder of Versace in July of 1997 'to happen'
Bold statement: Martin said that 'authorities somewhat turned away' from serial killer Andrew Cunanan's (L) killing spree targeting gay men, thereby allowing the murder of Versace in July of 1997 'to happen'

Bold statement: Martin said that 'authorities somewhat turned away' from serial killer Andrew Cunanan's (L) killing spree targeting gay men, thereby allowing the murder of Versace in July of 1997 'to happen'

The Shake Your Bon-Bon singer opened up on the special insight he brings to the role as D’Amico in his relationship with Versace, as a celebrity living in the limelight.

'I’m someone that is in love, that’s loyal and believes in family values. I also believe in living life to the fullest and taking advantage of every situation that life gives me and jump into it. And I think Antonio and Gianni had that dynamic,' he said. 'They were also pretty private, although they were in an industry that would ask Gianni for a lot of presence.

'But at the end of the day, they kept their relationship sacred as well as they could, and I try to do the same thing. I live a life that tends to be very exposed, and I try to be transparent to the world and to my fans, but I also do still have my private moments. And I cherish them like a gem.'

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Ricky Martin says 'intolerance' figured into Versace death

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