Ricky Martin signs copies of his new CD 'Ricky Martin MTV Unplugged' at FYE. New York City, USA - 09.11.06

The Puerto Rican singer is thrilled he's found international fame as an artist but refuses to let his private life dominate tabloids and magazines for fear the people nearest to him will suffer from the intrusion.

He explains, "My mother always said, 'Protect your own. Son, in this life you can do anything, but do it well. Don't be compulsive or obsessive, and protect your own.'

"I might be in the spotlight but I don't want that to affect the people I'm with. They are my people and I keep them for myself.

"Protecting my privacy is something instinctive with me."

Source: WENN