Ricky Martin says it was tough to come out

Ricky Martin says it was not easy for him to open up about his sexuality as he was unsure how his fans would react to the revelation.

In 2010, Martin had said he was gay in a post on his official website, ending years of speculation about his sexual orientation.

''The amount of love I got when I came out was brilliant... The thing is if I had spent one third of the time that I spent manipulating my sexuality in front of the piano instead, I would be a concert pianist by now. It's not fair and I hope no one has to go through that again,'' Martin said, according to Contactmusic.

The "Livin' La Vida Loca" hitmaker said though he had told his family and close friends about his sexuality, he was advised against coming out publicly by his inner circle as they feared it would affect his music career.

''I had come out to my friends and family. But everyone was like, 'Don't do it in public because that will be the end of your career.' You live with that fear, you've worked so hard to get where you have, but can't be yourself...

"And then I came out and it was amazing. A lot of people say, 'Well, if you had come out back then, maybe it would have ruined your career,' but I don't think so," Martin said.