Mika Reflects on Life's Ups and Downs, A Time of Liberation from 2000s Criticism.
The global pop sensation Mika has come a long way since the noughties, when his life was under constant scrutiny by journalists. The Beirut-born singer-songwriter reminisces about those days in an interview, pointing out that nowadays, such criticism would be unthinkable. "Accusing me of being 'brazen' back then was cowardly," he reflects.
Mika attributes his childhood experiences to shaping him into the person he is today. His Lebanese mother and Syrian father instilled a multicultural balance in their family, which greatly influenced Mika's worldview. The Gulf War had a profound impact on them, with his father being taken hostage for eight months, leading the family to move to London.
At eight years old, Mika was expelled from school due to dyslexia and difficulties with one of his teachers. His mother responded by pushing him towards music as an outlet, with lessons spanning five hours daily. The singer's teen years were marked by a deep immersion in nightlife, rave culture, and opera, leading him to write songs that reflected his emotions.
Mika's breakthrough single "Grace Kelly" was born out of anger and frustration after being rejected by a management company. He channeled this emotion into creating music that would empower him rather than just express anger. The song's success marked a turning point in Mika's life, catapulting him to fame while also taking away the freedom he had as an artist.
Looking back, Mika acknowledges the intense criticism and scrutiny he faced during those years. He believes that attitudes towards his sexuality were often cowardly, with journalists resorting to coded language to criticize him. However, he would not rewrite parts of his past if they meant altering who he became.
Mika's latest album, Hyperlove, marks a new era in his career, one of liberation and creative freedom. The singer-songwriter is now 39 years old and has found himself in an "unbelievable time" of creative expression. With the help of his late mother, Mika continues to channel his emotions into music, inspired by the works of Hunter S Thompson.
In a recent interview, Mika reflected on the lessons he learned from his mother: that grief can take many forms and should be allowed to change over time. The singer also highlighted the importance of associating emotion with energy, creating something vibrant and powerful. As Mika embarks on this new chapter in his career, it is clear that his journey has been shaped by a mix of experiences, both joyous and challenging, but ultimately leaving him with an unwavering sense of purpose and passion for music.
The global pop sensation Mika has come a long way since the noughties, when his life was under constant scrutiny by journalists. The Beirut-born singer-songwriter reminisces about those days in an interview, pointing out that nowadays, such criticism would be unthinkable. "Accusing me of being 'brazen' back then was cowardly," he reflects.
Mika attributes his childhood experiences to shaping him into the person he is today. His Lebanese mother and Syrian father instilled a multicultural balance in their family, which greatly influenced Mika's worldview. The Gulf War had a profound impact on them, with his father being taken hostage for eight months, leading the family to move to London.
At eight years old, Mika was expelled from school due to dyslexia and difficulties with one of his teachers. His mother responded by pushing him towards music as an outlet, with lessons spanning five hours daily. The singer's teen years were marked by a deep immersion in nightlife, rave culture, and opera, leading him to write songs that reflected his emotions.
Mika's breakthrough single "Grace Kelly" was born out of anger and frustration after being rejected by a management company. He channeled this emotion into creating music that would empower him rather than just express anger. The song's success marked a turning point in Mika's life, catapulting him to fame while also taking away the freedom he had as an artist.
Looking back, Mika acknowledges the intense criticism and scrutiny he faced during those years. He believes that attitudes towards his sexuality were often cowardly, with journalists resorting to coded language to criticize him. However, he would not rewrite parts of his past if they meant altering who he became.
Mika's latest album, Hyperlove, marks a new era in his career, one of liberation and creative freedom. The singer-songwriter is now 39 years old and has found himself in an "unbelievable time" of creative expression. With the help of his late mother, Mika continues to channel his emotions into music, inspired by the works of Hunter S Thompson.
In a recent interview, Mika reflected on the lessons he learned from his mother: that grief can take many forms and should be allowed to change over time. The singer also highlighted the importance of associating emotion with energy, creating something vibrant and powerful. As Mika embarks on this new chapter in his career, it is clear that his journey has been shaped by a mix of experiences, both joyous and challenging, but ultimately leaving him with an unwavering sense of purpose and passion for music.