Ricky Martin is fighting back against allegations of sexual abuse that were waged against him earlier this year.
The singer is now suing his nephew, Dennis Yadiel Sánchez Martin, who made those troubling allegations.
In court documents obtained by NBC News, Martin says his accuser "persecuted, besieged, harassed, stalked and extorted" him in an effort to "assassinate" his reputation.
Back in July, the singer's nephew — the son of his half-sister — filed a restraining order against him. The man alleged that he'd had a sexual and romantic relationship that lasted for seven months. Ricky Martin denied the allegations entirely.
Then, in a shocking twist, the singer's nephew withdrew the case. On July 21, a judge declined to extend a temporary protection order against Martin.
Now Ricky Martin says he's being harassed by his nephew.
In the lawsuit, Martin claims his nephew is sending him constant messages. He also says that his nephew posted Martin's phone number on social media and made an Instagram account for one of Martin's young children.
While Martin's nephew withdrew his lawsuit, the singer believes the impacts of the allegations have impacted him in a major way. He says they caused him to lose multi-million-dollar deals and likely cost him "future artistic projects."
The singer is asking for $20 million in damages.
While onstage at the Hollywood Bowl, Martin urged his fans to leave their worries behind, as if he was attempting to do the same. "All I want is for you to forget all your issues tonight," he told the crowd. "Just focus on love and light and let’s just have a good time."
