Billy Bush Admits He Tried to Out Ricky Martin and Destroyed the Footage
Ah, the tragedy, the triumph, such poetic irony. In a candid moment of remorse, former Access Hollywood host Billy Bush has revealed that he once attempted to out pop star Ricky Martin during an on-camera interview but ultimately erased the tape after Martin abruptly walked off the set. Bush confessed that the footage no longer exists and that he “really feels badly” about the incident, opening a window into his early career missteps and the ethical lines he crossed.
During a recent interview, Bush—who has weathered several high-profile controversies—revealed that years ago he posed questions about Martin’s personal life in an effort to force the star into a public admission about his sexuality. Martin, who came out officially in 2010, was promoting a new music project at the time. Bush said he could see the singer growing uncomfortable. When his probing became too intense, Martin stood, shook his head, and exited the stage, leaving Bush stunned and without prepared follow-up questions.
Shaken by Martin’s reaction, Bush admitted he took immediate action to contain the fallout. “I destroyed that segment,” he said, according to the New York Post. “I really feel badly about how I handled it.” The destruction of the tape, Bush explained, was driven by both regret and a desire not to exploit Martin’s vulnerability. He has since described the decision as one of the few times he’s quietly removed content rather than airing it for ratings.
Industry observers note that outing a public figure against their will remains a deeply frowned-upon practice in modern journalism, crossing ethical boundaries and risking personal harm. Bush’s admission arrives at a moment when interviewers and producers are under heightened scrutiny for how they treat celebrities behind the scenes. The Hollywood Reporter and Variety have both commented on the growing importance of consent in celebrity interviews—a standard that Bush acknowledges he failed to meet in his early days.
Bush’s apology carries added weight given his own career challenges. In 2016, he was pulled from Today after a leaked recording revealed him participating in lewd remarks. His recent confession about Ricky Martin marks another chapter in his journey of public accountability. Friends close to Martin say the singer has long moved past the uncomfortable moment and hopes the episode serves as a reminder for journalists to respect personal boundaries.
As Bush looks back, he frames the incident as a learning opportunity. “I wish I could take back that morning,” he said. “It was a lapse in judgment.” For fans of Martin and followers of celebrity journalism alike, this revelation underscores the evolving standards of interview ethics. The story remains a cautionary tale of ambition clashing with empathy, and how a simple question can cut deeper than intended.
And so, the tale concludes, drifting into memory.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and New York Post
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
