RICKY MARTIN TELLS OPRAH HE CRIED LIKE A BABY AFTER HE CAME OUT THE CLOSET!

Ricky Martin experienced an overwhelming flood of mixed emotions after announcing to the world earlier this year that he is gay.

After sending out an e-mail in March announcing, "I am proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man," the singer says he first felt "numb," and then "relieved."

"When I realized, okay, I just pressed send, whoo … And then I was alone," Martin, 38, says during an interview on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" airing Tuesday. "I was in my studio alone for a minute. My assistant walked in and I just started crying like a little baby. I started crying."

"And he [had to] hold me. He told me, please, he would grab me in the arms – in my arms. He goes, let it go. Let it go. Finally you're free," he continued.

Martin, who is father to 2-year-old twin sons, Valentino and Matteo, via a surrogate, explains that his children are the reason behind his decision to address his sexuality in public.

"I couldn't take it anymore," he says of being in the closet. "It was too painful. But I guess the most important thing is my children. You know, my children. When I was holding them in my arms, I was like, what am I gonna teach them - how to lie? Whoa, that is my blessing right there."

"Before I decided to become a father, I already accepted who I was and I was happy with who I was," he added. "Then, when I was holding my children, I said, okay, it's time to tell the world."