Billy Bush recently revealed that he had enraged global music icon Ricky Martin early in his career, asking the singer about his sexuality during an interview.
The incident, which occurred during a 2003 interview on The Billy Bush Show, has ignited renewed discussions about media ethics and the pressures faced by celebrities regarding their private lives.
During the interview, Bush repeatedly pressed Martin about his sexuality, despite the singer’s clear discomfort and attempts to deflect the personal inquiries. The line of questioning was perceived by many as an unethical attempt to force Martin to come out before he was ready.
Consequently, the interview has been widely criticized as a blatant disregard for Martin’s privacy and a demonstration of the invasive nature of some media practices.
According to Bush, this was before the Latin superstar officially came out as gay, and the question nearly derailed the entire conversation.
Bush told actor Rob Lowe on his Literally! In a Rob Lowe podcast on Thursday, the “Livin’ La Vida Loca” singer called him a “motherf—er” before storming off set.
“You want your headline… You piece of garbage,” said Martin, according to Bush, 53, who was working for Access Hollywood at the time.
Bush managed to salvage the interview by being honest with Martin and apologizing.
He told Martin, “‘Ricky, I am so sorry for asking that question. I don’t know what I was thinking. It was a cowboy question. It was inappropriate. I’m so sorry, and I promise you this will never see the light of day.’”
According to Bush, Martin responded, “I’ve been struggling with this my whole life. There will be a time, there will be a place. It will not be here on this program while I’m promoting this album.”
He added, “It is deeply personal to me. I appreciate you coming back in here. I forgive you.”
Martin eventually came out as gay in 2010, about seven years after his interview with Bush.
At the time, he announced on his website that he was a “fortunate homosexual man.”
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