Ricky Martin, the Grammy-winning “Livin’ la Vida Loca” singer, 46, plays Antonio D’Amico, the lover of international fashion designer Gianni Versace(Edgar Ramírez) in The Assassination of Gianni Versace, premiering January 17. The second installment of FX’s American Crime Story will focus on the shocking 1997 murder of the Italian designer and the search for his killer (Darren Criss).
Why tell this story now?
We’re going to learn a lot about Versace’s creative process, his relationship with his sister Donatella [Penélope Cruz] and his relationship with Antonio, who he was with for 15 years.
What did the real-life Antonio share with you?
He was an open book, but he was a little bit afraid of what was going to come out. I said, “Antonio, I want you to know that I’m doing this part because I can’t stand injustice. We’re going to focus on the love that you and Gianni had for each other.”
How aware of Versace’s murder were you at the time?
I was living in Miami at the time. Miami took a hit after this unfortunate event; I think Miami hasn’t been able to recover still. I was in Europe touring when I heard about it and it was the saddest thing. It was a very intense summer; first it was Versace, then it was Lady Diana.
You did some work in fashion. Did you ever meet Versace?
I never met him personally, but I remember being scared of how it happened. I remember thinking that the LGBT community could all be victims of someone like Andrew Cunanan. I would say fear is the emotion that comes to me when I revisit those days. Andrew Cunanan was in Miami Beach, not hiding from anybody. He was on the list of most wanted men by the FBI. So the question isn’t how did it happen, no. The question is why did it happen? Why did we allow this man to even get near such a powerful fashion icon?
What was it like to actually film at Versace’s home in Miami?
Oh, my God, it was a luxury for us to be able to shoot in the actual house where everything happened. We shot the scene where Antonio finds his body in front of the house early that morning and, of course, the setting helps you so much.
I never went to the house when he was alive. I was invited to many events and parties while I was living in Miami, but for some reason I was never able to go. Years go by and then I walk into this house for the first time to shoot the scenes and I say, “See, this is exactly why I was not supposed to come to this house before,” and I used it. It was amazing that we could do it. Then, obviously, we went back to L.A. and the magic of Hollywood, where you can build amazing sets.
It sounds as if this project became personal for you.
When you jump into such a big production, you have to commit yourself. The only thing you must allow for in your schedule is anything that has to do with Gianni Versace and this story. So, yes, I was a bit obsessed with it.
You have to get emotionally invested in order for the audience to find truth in the story that you’re telling. Surrounded by amazing actors like Penelope Cruz, Edgar Ramirez and Darren Criss, I felt like one of the luckiest men to be able to create such a beautiful dynamic between my fellow actors on set. I think that also reads on camera.
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Matt Bomer on Man Against Nature in Walking Out and His New Job
How have you been preparing for your directorial debut?
I am in my directing office right now and I am going to start tomorrow. I poured over thousands of pages of books, I shadowed some really talented, generous, wonderful directors, and I am in the world of Ryan Murphy, so you have some of the most incredible professionals you could have working with you. I am excited and terrified and I haven’t really been this thrilled about anything in this industry for awhile, so it’s been a great way to shake up my creative spirit.
I’ve heard that Ryan is good about giving opportunities to first-time directors. How did it come about that this was yours?
He is just one of those people who is so generous of spirit. Truly. I think he knew I had been in this medium of episodic for 20 years, and he knew that I really extensively prepare for everything that I do, and for whatever reason, he saw qualities in me that he felt would work well as an episodic director.
He called me out of the blue and said, “What do you think about directing it?” I was flabbergasted and blown away and I just very humbly said, “I can’t thank you enough. I will do my best to be prepared and come through. Obviously, he’s been a very big influence in my life and, in large part, he’s been an architect of my career in many ways.
What about the murder of Gianni Versace will make people want to watch?
There is so much I didn’t know. There are so many reasons people are going to watch. There are so many incredible performances going on and the writing is unparalleled. But there is so much about the story that I didn’t understand the specifics of it in the larger context of what was going on in the time period. I am excited for people to see it.
It also has sex, money and fashion.
All the things that excites and titillates but it also has some real substance and nuance to it that will keep people coming back for more.
Matt Bomer on Man Against Nature in Walking Out and His New Job
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