In 1990 Ricky signed with Sony Music Mexico releasing his first solos album "Ricky Martin" in 1991, which went Gold in the U.S., Mexico, Columbia and Argentia. Touring all over Spanish-speaking countries, Ricky was winning fans. In 1993 he released his second album "Me Amaras" and at the Billboard Video Awards that year, Ricky won "Best New Latin Artist" for "Me Amaras".
Ricky moved to Los Angeles to be in the NBC TV series called "Getting By" and in 1994 he joined the cast of the ABC TV soap opera "General Hospital". Many fans remembered Ricky from his Menudo days and were breathless seeing Ricky on Television as the longhaired sexy bartender, Miguel Morez. It was a step in his already successful career and the opportunity to present himself to the North American Audience.
Ricky quickly caught the attention of the news media. After two years in General Hospital, he took his music on the road and toured Latin America for a while. In 1996 Ricky also released his third album "A Medio Vivir" which was his first opportunity to crossover to other language markets as the album did well in America, then Europe and the rest of the world. Included on this album was the massive No. 1 Hit single "Maria". "For a lot of people that was going to be the end of my career when they heard "Maria" for the first time". Until this single was released Ricky had been kown as a ballad singer and it was a real change of direction for Ricky, wanting to get back to his roots. "It may be the end of Ricky Martin's career, but at least i am doing what i want". "Maria" was the second best selling single in the world that year. With Ricky's acting credits accumulating and his albums going from gold to platinum, he was becoming a Latino Superstar.
