Puerto Rican pop star Ricky Martin has admitted he used to bully gay people during his own struggle with his sexuality.

In an interview with Australian GQ magazine this month, Martin said the painful experience of coping with his sexuality while being raised in a Roman Catholic household brought conflicting emotions.

“I was very angry, very rebellious. I used to look at gay men and think, ‘I’m not like that. I don’t want to be like that, that’s not me. I was ashamed,” the singer told the magazine.

“When you’re told you’re wrong by everyone, from society, from your faith –my self-esteem was crushed. I took my anger out on those around me,” he said.

While it would seemingly tarnish the love affair that Australia has with Martin, it appears the admission of negative behaviour brought on by conflicting beliefs is not uncommon.

Relationship’s Australia –and Out In Perth’s resident agony aunty- Elizabeth Brennan said the process for Martin is quite natural and is two-fold.

“There is the fear that other young people might see him as gay so if he bully’s them he doesn’t have to worry about being publicly shamed,” she said.

There were also the internal feelings of shame Martin would have felt and the personal turmoil he would have been experiencing as he came to terms with his sexuality.

“We live in a society that does not one hundred per cent value our individuality,” Brennan said.

“For young gay people, the most important thing is that they know ‘who we are is who we are and that’s OK,’” she said.

Watch Ricky’s newest release ‘Come With Me’ below.

Joe Cassidy