Mika
Birthday: 18 August 1983, Beirut, Lebanon
Birth Name: Michael Holbrook Penniman
Height: 191 cm
Mika was born on August 18, 1983 in Beirut, Lebanon as Michael Holbrook Penniman.
I want to make big-sounding pop records.
I want to make big-sounding pop records.
Oh, I'm quite harmless in real life.
Oh, I'm quite harmless in real life.
In my older songs, I used to hide behind fictional characters to deflect attention away from myself.
In my older songs, I used to hide behind fictional characters to deflect attention away from myself.
The stage is my territory, my boxing ring. That's where I'm free.
The stage is my territory, my boxing ring. That's where I'm free.
I write songs to turn myself into something else. And then I become that, and I want to become somet Show more
I write songs to turn myself into something else. And then I become that, and I want to become something else. Hide
My first record was about childhood. There were a lot of nursery rhyme and fairytale references; it Show more
My first record was about childhood. There were a lot of nursery rhyme and fairytale references; it was all about being naive. Hide
Everything I write is about me.
Everything I write is about me.
I love collaborating with strong women.
I love collaborating with strong women.
I'm dangerously generous.
I'm dangerously generous.
I'm not necessarily that big of a clubbing junkie, but I really like dance music as a genre.
I'm not necessarily that big of a clubbing junkie, but I really like dance music as a genre.
Some people say I've got a five-octave range, which is ridiculous. That would mean I'd sing like Mar Show more
Some people say I've got a five-octave range, which is ridiculous. That would mean I'd sing like Mariah Carey or that alien in 'The Fifth Element.' And I'm nothing like that blue alien. I've got a range of about 3 1/2 octaves. Hide
The best way to make the most serious point in the world is to be as unserious as possible.
The best way to make the most serious point in the world is to be as unserious as possible.
I write songs about fat girls and about men who run off to Mexico.
I write songs about fat girls and about men who run off to Mexico.
I found school pretty tough. I got the mickey taken out of me at school.
I found school pretty tough. I got the mickey taken out of me at school.
Never had any idols, ever. I never had any posters, nothing.
Never had any idols, ever. I never had any posters, nothing.
I was always told that I was too strange or that I was too cheesy by different groups of people, lik Show more
I was always told that I was too strange or that I was too cheesy by different groups of people, like the record companies said I was way too weird and the indie people wouldn't even let me in their band. Hide
In fact, no one has ever really wanted to go on a date with me.
In fact, no one has ever really wanted to go on a date with me.
I'm not creating an enigma or leaving mystery, I'm just respecting myself enough as an artist to giv Show more
I'm not creating an enigma or leaving mystery, I'm just respecting myself enough as an artist to give myself room to grow and not to be devoured all in one go. Hide
I collect toys.
I collect toys.
As a teenager, in my songbook, I used to script what my lighting would be like. I used to dance in m Show more
As a teenager, in my songbook, I used to script what my lighting would be like. I used to dance in my room, it was like putting myself in a trance, and making myself feel good about things, almost like a private ceremony of begging people to like you. Hide
New York is a bit of a dangerous place to me because you often leave in a blur.
New York is a bit of a dangerous place to me because you often leave in a blur.
I make mistakes. I say stupid things. I do idiotic things. And, quite frankly, I'm proud of them. Wh Show more
I make mistakes. I say stupid things. I do idiotic things. And, quite frankly, I'm proud of them. Why not make mistakes? Hide
I really want people to know me, to find out about me, and if they really like me, to stick with me.
I really want people to know me, to find out about me, and if they really like me, to stick with me.
I was born out of classical music.
I was born out of classical music.
I never talk about anything to do with my sexuality.
I never talk about anything to do with my sexuality.
If I really like the smell of something - a piece of tar or my goddaughter's plastic doll - I put a Show more
If I really like the smell of something - a piece of tar or my goddaughter's plastic doll - I put a tiny piece in a bottle with a label. I keep them in a fridge in my bathroom. Hide
I've never, ever labeled myself.
I've never, ever labeled myself.
Most of the people who write pop music were outsiders at some time in their life.
Most of the people who write pop music were outsiders at some time in their life.
I'm obsessed with plastic. I like the syntheticness.
I'm obsessed with plastic. I like the syntheticness.
When you come from nowhere, I am fully aware of the fact that people have to compare you to other ar Show more
When you come from nowhere, I am fully aware of the fact that people have to compare you to other artists to kind of place you. Hide
I think, 'How could anybody mock a good pop song?' It is timeless; it transcends barriers; it breaks Show more
I think, 'How could anybody mock a good pop song?' It is timeless; it transcends barriers; it breaks down every single type of social barrier that you can possibly have. It can deal with the most difficult subjects, even if it abstracts the subject matter. Hide
I say I have a midlife crisis every time I start and finish a record.
I say I have a midlife crisis every time I start and finish a record.
Strangely, I feel that I become increasingly reclusive in my normal life and more open and candid in Show more
Strangely, I feel that I become increasingly reclusive in my normal life and more open and candid in my music. Hide
My relationship with my mother is not cute.
My relationship with my mother is not cute.
Identity for me is something that has to be played with and explored, and not become complacent abou Show more
Identity for me is something that has to be played with and explored, and not become complacent about or uninterested in. Hide
Everything I do is very visual and very aural, so I don't read music, and I draw as much as I write Show more
Everything I do is very visual and very aural, so I don't read music, and I draw as much as I write out lyrics. Hide
I lack trust in others.
I lack trust in others.
We all have to be dishes on a plate eventually, with the way we are marketed, but I have no intentio Show more
We all have to be dishes on a plate eventually, with the way we are marketed, but I have no intention of being a cheap Chinese all-you-can-eat buffet. Hide
I'm fascinated by religion, but I'm not particularly religious.
I'm fascinated by religion, but I'm not particularly religious.
Melody is disarming. It's anarchic!
Melody is disarming. It's anarchic!
To me, being a classical snob in the highest possible way and being an indie snob is just as bad!
To me, being a classical snob in the highest possible way and being an indie snob is just as bad!
You never know which gig is going to be your last.
You never know which gig is going to be your last.
I wish I had more guts when I was younger because then I would've said things to people's faces inst Show more
I wish I had more guts when I was younger because then I would've said things to people's faces instead of just running away all the time. Hide
Hype is scary.
Hype is scary.
You can't deny your limitations.
You can't deny your limitations.
Anyone who tries to diss me in comparison to Queen, it just renders all their criticisms completely Show more
Anyone who tries to diss me in comparison to Queen, it just renders all their criticisms completely futile. That's quite pleasurable. Hide
Some people make records that are defined by their sexuality, but mine really are not.
Some people make records that are defined by their sexuality, but mine really are not.
Sometimes I dress like what I want for lunch, because all I can think about is having a tuna sandwic Show more
Sometimes I dress like what I want for lunch, because all I can think about is having a tuna sandwich. Hide
My life isn't tabloid-friendly.
My life isn't tabloid-friendly.
The music industry doesn't exist the way it used to. You'll never have another star like the stars o Show more
The music industry doesn't exist the way it used to. You'll never have another star like the stars of the '90s. Hide
They say shyness is a form of egotism, and you are only shy because you care too much about what peo Show more
They say shyness is a form of egotism, and you are only shy because you care too much about what people think of you. And maybe its true, maybe I am just an egotist. Hide
I certainly don't follow fashion. I think fashion, as far as the industry and the whole world that s Show more
I certainly don't follow fashion. I think fashion, as far as the industry and the whole world that surrounds it, is quite vile, and I'm repelled by it. Hide
I have opinions on everything. I'm a stubborn old mule. The biggest problem is keeping my mouth shut Show more
I have opinions on everything. I'm a stubborn old mule. The biggest problem is keeping my mouth shut. Hide
I've always said in the press, I can fall in love with a man. I can fall in love with a woman. And I Show more
I've always said in the press, I can fall in love with a man. I can fall in love with a woman. And I've always said that I have no shame in that. Hide
I don't know where my father is from. I just don't. He's lived in so many countries.
I don't know where my father is from. I just don't. He's lived in so many countries.
I'd never compare myself to Freddie Mercury because I look up to him far too much. As an artist, not Show more
I'd never compare myself to Freddie Mercury because I look up to him far too much. As an artist, not necessarily as a person. Hide
I can't just listen to music walking down the street unless I have a reason to. I can't just listen Show more
I can't just listen to music walking down the street unless I have a reason to. I can't just listen to music as a piece of junk in the background. It drives me insane. Hide
Lady Gaga has a very unjaded intelligence. It's brilliant, 'cause it's anti-snob.
Lady Gaga has a very unjaded intelligence. It's brilliant, 'cause it's anti-snob.
In the past, it weighed on me because nobody in my family is gay. I had no role models so I had to f Show more
In the past, it weighed on me because nobody in my family is gay. I had no role models so I had to find my own way. Hide
Most people's jobs are rooted in reality.
Most people's jobs are rooted in reality.
I'm a big illustration and comic book fan. In my eyes, comic books and illustration are the same kin Show more
I'm a big illustration and comic book fan. In my eyes, comic books and illustration are the same kind of art forms. Hide
I am totally unapologetic about pop music.
I am totally unapologetic about pop music.
Part of me sees myself as talented, and the other part sees me as strange. Ideas get stuck in your h Show more
Part of me sees myself as talented, and the other part sees me as strange. Ideas get stuck in your head and nothing changes them. Not even fame. Hide
It's very hard to find men's clothes that do what you want, especially when you go through them as q Show more
It's very hard to find men's clothes that do what you want, especially when you go through them as quickly as I do. I need them to be flashy, but I never like to be overdressed. I need to make a statement, but I hate wearing too many clothes. Hide
I completely understand the responsibility I have in continuing the sonic style that I have created.
I completely understand the responsibility I have in continuing the sonic style that I have created.
You can't believe the amount of speculation you get over your private life.
You can't believe the amount of speculation you get over your private life.
I think my music generally transcends a lot of genres.
I think my music generally transcends a lot of genres.
I was brought up in many different cultures, moving around all the time, and I find my identity in m Show more
I was brought up in many different cultures, moving around all the time, and I find my identity in my songs. I project the identity I want to have throughout the songs that I write. Hide
I was a show-off as a kid. I was wearing bow ties and matching coloured trousers.
I was a show-off as a kid. I was wearing bow ties and matching coloured trousers.
I was always told I was ugly. I still think I am ugly. I know I've got an odd face and you can't tel Show more
I was always told I was ugly. I still think I am ugly. I know I've got an odd face and you can't tell me otherwise. Hide
I am very suspicious of people.
I am very suspicious of people.
I am terrible at relationships.
I am terrible at relationships.
I'm always calling my doctor because I'm constantly injuring myself while on the road, like tearing Show more
I'm always calling my doctor because I'm constantly injuring myself while on the road, like tearing a ligament, blasting my ears or losing my voice. Plus, I'm a total hypochondriac. Hide
Mixed reactions? Sure, I get them all the time. I'm a Marmite artist.
Mixed reactions? Sure, I get them all the time. I'm a Marmite artist.
There's always apprehension whenever I launch anything, it seems. When I launch a tour, people are a Show more
There's always apprehension whenever I launch anything, it seems. When I launch a tour, people are always, 'Oooh, is this gonna work?' And when I launch an album: 'Ooh, is this gonna work?' Or a new video. 'Really?' It's always like that - but I've always acted on the impulse that I have nothing to lose. Hide
I was quite the quiet teenager. I was a bit of a loner, a little bit of an outsider.
I was quite the quiet teenager. I was a bit of a loner, a little bit of an outsider.
A stylist might say you look amazing in anything. Your family will always tell you if you look a com Show more
A stylist might say you look amazing in anything. Your family will always tell you if you look a complete idiot. Hide
I'm not a great dancer. I know I'm not. But I know that I can move. I can throw shapes, just not in Show more
I'm not a great dancer. I know I'm not. But I know that I can move. I can throw shapes, just not in the right order. Hide
When you're not part of a club, you have to find another way of surviving.
When you're not part of a club, you have to find another way of surviving.
Well, I have to say, most of my clothes are designed and made by my mother.
Well, I have to say, most of my clothes are designed and made by my mother.
Mika's FILMOGRAPHY
as Actor (107)
