Ricky Martin made sure his first-ever Venice Film Festival appearance would be difficult to forget. The singer and actor arrived for the premiere of his new movie Hombre al Agua with a dramatic new look — a blond buzz cut accompanied by a matching bleached beard.
Martin stepped onto the red carpet in an elegant black-and-white suit accented with jewelry. He posed alone for photographers before joining co-stars Manuel Garcia Rulfo and Gael García Bernal, who also directed, produced and co-wrote the film.
Hombre al Agua centers on Camilo, a Cuban lifeguard played by Bernal, whose life changes after he rescues a powerful Mexican businessman from drowning. The incident leads to a job opportunity that takes Camilo to Mexico, where he eventually marries the businessman’s eldest daughter.
Martin plays a character named Roby, and according to Bernal, the music superstar was actually the first person he imagined for the part. The filmmaker initially considered the idea so unlikely that he kept Martin’s name to himself through much of the movie’s development.
The role required only one day of filming, and the team initially assumed they would eventually find someone to play Roby. Shortly before production began, however, Bernal managed to get Martin’s phone number and called him. Before he could even fully explain the project, Martin reportedly responded, “Whatever you want.”
Bernal praised Martin for bringing enormous generosity to the production, embracing the movie’s spirit and immediately understanding his character’s humor. Martin became such an enthusiastic supporter that his involvement eventually expanded beyond acting, with the star also joining the project as an executive producer.
Although best known globally for his music career, Martin has spent years working as an actor as well. His credits include Palm Royale, while his performance in 2018’s The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story earned widespread acclaim. Hombre al Agua now marks another milestone: his first Spanish-language movie in 20 years.
