Ricky Martin doesn't necessarily need to date "an Adonis" but does want to feel a connection.
The 43-year-old singer is single following his split from Carlos González Abella last year. Having been on his own for well over a year now the star is ready to dip his toe back into the dating pool, and he has a set of criteria he needs to find.
“I am single now after seven years. I meet people. I’m fine. I meet very handsome men. I like to have a conversation, looking into someone’s eyes and finding out their sense of humour," he told British newspaper The Sun.
"I’m not saying you have to be an Adonis, but you have to connect.”
Ricky is father to twin boys Matteo and Valentino, who were born via surrogate in 2008. Being a dad completely changed him and was one of the reasons he came out as gay in 2010, although it has made the romantic side of his life tricky.
"We’re all men. It’s in our DNA to go for it. But I have two boys and I cannot bring different men every day into my house," he explained.
He has also worked hard to stay on good terms with Carlos because of the boys, although initially that was difficult. Ricky and his ex had a "year of silence" following their breakup, but are now able to talk and be friends when Carlos comes to see the kids.
Fatherhood had such a profound effect on Ricky that he cannot fathom why fashion designer Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana were so scathing about IVF babies in an interview this year. They called babies born that way "synthetic children", immediately causing the ire of stars including Sir Elton John - whose two sons were born via surrogate too.
"I wish them lots of enlightenment. Their voices are too powerful to be spreading so much hate. I hope they analyse a bit to work out what life really is about and what the future has for us," Ricky stated.
"When people say, ‘Your children have no mothers,' my response is, ‘No, they have two.' Surrogacy is a beautiful process."
