Peter Martins

Peter Martins is presented in Andy Warhol’s diary through a brief crisis at an advertising dinner: when Paige confronts an intimidating man, Martins goes over to defend her. His intervention makes him the scene’s unlikely protector, but his relief afterward and sharp parting remark show how quickly the danger turns into exasperation with Paige’s willingness to court it.

At the Advertising Dinner

Paige had arranged an advertising dinner at Caffè Roma. Heather Watts and Stephen Sprouse were also there, along with a young messenger Sprouse had brought to meet Watts. At the bar, a large man made remarks about Sprouse’s punk hair. Sprouse became frightened and left, while Paige went over to confront the man.

Defending Paige

As Paige challenged the man, Martins felt obliged to go over and defend her. Jock Soto also stood up. Warhol’s account turns the moment into a vision of danger spreading beyond the people at the table: he imagined the whole New York City Ballet company being wiped out by the man, whom he describes as enormous. Watts, by contrast, loved the commotion.

Relief and Reproach

Once the man had left, Martins sank back into his chair, visibly relieved. He told Paige, “Paige, I’m never going out with you again—you’re too much troubled”. The remark ends the episode on a contrast: Martins has stepped in to protect her, but the immediate danger over, he makes clear that her confrontational behavior has made going out with her feel like a risk.