03/20/2007
Cracking Mika's Enigma Code
British pop star Mika, whose album seems to have been out forever already but doesn't officially drop in the U.S. until March 27, has stuck to a policy of telling journalists he doesn't answer questions about his sexuality, but in his latest quote to a Brit tabloid his facade appears to be cracking a bit:
"People say, 'You don't talk about sexuality because you're worried about success in the US'. I say, 'Have you heard the f*****g album?' There's a song about a married man who has a homosexual affair. There's no enigma."
If it's so obvious, why not just say it and be done with it? In any case, here's the new video for "Love Today" which appeared yesterday — you may have already heard it on several TV commercials.
You may have missed...
Pop Phenom Mika Takes Manhattan in Candy-Coated Showcase [tr]
Posted 8:37 AM EST by Andy in I'm Gay, Mika, Music, News | Permalink
Like it?
Subscribe to FREE Towleroad daily headlines with our RSS feed!
RECENT STORIES:
grace kelly is already #6 on the iTunes top-ten chart.
Posted by: A.J. | Mar 20, 2007 8:58:44 AM
OMG! I listened to about 20 seconds and my ears were hurting. Ouch! And he's the next-big-thing? I think I'll pass.
By the way, isn't his sexuality obvious?
Posted by: John | Mar 20, 2007 9:05:37 AM
I say more power to him. I've been in positions like this where someone is wanting you to "come out to them" when you've never been "in" to begin with. It's annoying and puts all the focus on your sexuality when that's such a minor thing about a person. Unless of course you're Gay(tm) then it's all you can ever fuckin' talk about. [I'm sure none of you would know what I'm talking about. Wink, wink.]
Posted by: RSL | Mar 20, 2007 9:20:50 AM
I have to go with John on that one. I couldn't listen to the whole song before it really started getting on my nerves. I like fun pop music, love the scissor sisters, but I'll pass on that one.
Posted by: sam | Mar 20, 2007 9:22:27 AM
I prefer Donnie Davies. He's less affected.
Posted by: Jjustin... | Mar 20, 2007 9:41:21 AM
The one thing Towleroadies seem to be in agreement on in these comments is that celebrities are free to come out when they're ready. I think I agree. As beneficial to the cause as it is when a talented, respected artist announces he's gay, if we try and force it on them we're not much better than those who would do the same thing to ridicule rather than symbolize.
Posted by: Streamish | Mar 20, 2007 9:41:29 AM
I LOVE LOVE LOVE MIKA. Every single track on his new album is terrific. I ordered it via amazon.uk. Mika has been writing music since he was 9 years old and has extensive music education. The only bad thing about Mika's songs is I can't get them out of my head. I wake up in the middle of the night and realize one is playing in my brain. I haven't been this excited over new music since the Scissor Sisters.
Posted by: phil | Mar 20, 2007 9:50:23 AM
One element that works in pop and rock 'n roll is sexual ambiguity. Is it that big a deal if he doesn't feel it important to come out, flags a'wavin'?
...and John and Sam, I hear Josh Groban is touring, he may be more your speed? ;-)
Posted by: jason | Mar 20, 2007 9:52:00 AM
It's funny others here thought this song is unlistenable, because it's the first track from him that I've actually liked.
And y'know, it's a great big world and room enough for both Mika and Josh Groban.
Posted by: mark m | Mar 20, 2007 10:07:23 AM
He'll come out when he's retired, disgraced or caught on film just like all the other out gay celebrities.
Posted by: Zeke | Mar 20, 2007 10:27:32 AM
Yeah this song sounds like a 9 yr old wrote it. sorry, no thanks. Much success with that, however.
Posted by: hoya86 | Mar 20, 2007 10:28:22 AM
I love Josh Groban's voice and music, and very much enjoy Mika's as well. Two exceptionally gifted musicians with different strengths and styles. And they're both adorable, each in his own way.
Why must people set up camps in which one is required to hate and love in equal measure?
Posted by: sparks | Mar 20, 2007 10:36:18 AM
I like the song. It's fun. And for real, does he need to come out? It's like the Sisters having to go on Out and talk about who was gay and who wasn't. I also liked being called a Towleroadie. I hope that one makes it to Urban Dictionary.
Posted by: xavier | Mar 20, 2007 10:51:19 AM
The video, in my humble opinion, isn't as solid an offering as the Grace Kelly video — costuming, choreography, set, and concept all seem much less cohesive. But it does look like we have a return visit from the young girl and one of the larger women. Any ideas on who these folks are? Maybe relatives — a little sister and an aunt? I have no idea, just curious.
Posted by: Zachary Fish | Mar 20, 2007 10:52:53 AM
i just saw mika last week at sxsw in austin. it was the best show i have seen in my life - and i have seen the greats. his voice is stunning live and the songs are so much stronger in person than on record. and there is NO question that he is gay. the music does speak for itself, but moreso, he is himself on stage. there was no doubt in my mind of his gayness after i left the gig. i see where he is coming from, being gay doesn't define me either.
Posted by: JB | Mar 20, 2007 11:08:31 AM
I love the song, in fact his whole album is good.
However, I have to agree with Zachary that the video is not as good as "Grace Kelly." In fact, I couldn't even watch the whole video. It's awfully boring and uncreative.
I'd rather just listen to the album.
Posted by: Dave | Mar 20, 2007 11:31:22 AM
I'll take some Rufus Wainwright over this dude or Josh Groban (ick). Someday...someday Rufus will be my bride...
Posted by: scientitian | Mar 20, 2007 11:58:53 AM
I'm crazy about Mika right now. Really enjoyed "Grace Kelly" but "Love Me" is stuck in my head on a loop and I'm don't mind at all. It just makes me smile. We all need a bit more of that these days.
The little girl from "Grace Kelly" is Holly Muller, apparently the daughter of Sophie Muller, who directed the clip. Not sure if she's the same kid from "Love Me."
Posted by: Turtle | Mar 20, 2007 12:00:00 PM
THIS is the next big thing? Talk about over-hyped. I've seen more press done in Mika in the past 6 months than I have ever seen done for a new artist. There's nothing brilliant about this kid. Maybe he puts on a good live show, but the songwriting is pretty weak (melodically and lyrically) and the high-pitched thing? Dated.
Posted by: Zak | Mar 20, 2007 12:14:39 PM
Give me the OTHER Joshua...Joshua Radin. Much better than Groban.
Mika, your 15 minutes are up.
Posted by: soulbrotha | Mar 20, 2007 12:22:07 PM
I am torn between the desire to see positive and self-affirming gay role models on the one hand and on the other, the right of the privately openly gay celeb to maintain their privacy. The obligation to come out, publicly, is one imposed largely by the media. The insinuation being that if you're ok with being gay, you'd "admit" to it, if you don't admit it, then you're obviously not ok with it (subtext; you're ashamed or embarrassed). The celeb is then challenged to prove that they don't feel ashamed or embarrassed (and is thereby invited to play into the hands of the 'phobes) and is pressured into coming out by means of constant "press speculation" (e.g. "Brit pop star won't say which way he swings" nudge nudge wink wink). All the press want is a headline; all the celeb wants is to avoid the whole media circus and the disproportionate emphasis that will inevitably be given to their sexuality e.g. forever after defined as as "Gay Pop Star" (see George Michael..).
It's not the media's job to decide how celebs should represent their sexuality publicly, especially when, as in the case of Mika, that celeb is already out to anyone with eyes and ears. And that headline above came from Pink News!
Posted by: atheist | Mar 20, 2007 12:42:59 PM
No surprise with the comments. You want to tear down another gay man. No gay man is good enough.
I love Mika! He's great. This album is just the beginning of a long career.
Posted by: Jack! | Mar 20, 2007 1:02:08 PM
A bit disapointed with the video. I had heard about him on this site but didn't listen until I got my video Ipod this weekend. Love Grace kelly.He seems like a bright, handsome young man. If The Scissor Sisters second album (sales wise in US) is any indication, I worry if he'll have the cross over success here. I wish him all the best and look forward to downloading the whole album
Posted by: Chris | Mar 20, 2007 1:09:07 PM
If I were Mika I would at least wait until the album dropped in the states (um... next week) before I went down that road. He's just a kid at the very beginning of his career and it's alot to publicly ask anyone let alone someone whose livelyhood depends upon the opinions/whims/beliefs of the masses.
Obviously being out is a great thing (and ultimately the right thing) but he can make just as much, if not more, of an impact after his album goes platinum in the states as before it even gets a chance to go gold.
In in the end it's a business (I am sure even Jake Shears would agree with that) so give the kid a chance.
Posted by: Giovanni | Mar 20, 2007 1:31:03 PM
Actually, I'm waiting for the new Tracey Thorn album to hit the States.
Posted by: Kurt | Mar 20, 2007 1:32:26 PM
Bought it the day it came out as I passed through the London airport... LOVE IT.
It's infectious.
And the crazy part is that my whole house loves it. Me, the pop music victim, my boyfriend who leans more to rock, and even my niece who is 15 years younger than us both.
Can't. Stop. Listening...
Posted by: Jim | Mar 20, 2007 1:53:29 PM
Kurt, stop waiting. Tracey drops today in the US. GO GET IT! I've had it for months and it's amazing.
Posted by: jason | Mar 20, 2007 2:02:30 PM
I don't know how old all the haters of this CD are but you must be ancient if you can't appreciate the genius of Mika's debut CD. It's freaking awesome but that's coming for a 25-year straight guy.
Posted by: Jose Arribas | Mar 20, 2007 2:11:20 PM
The new video is cheesy. But the song is great. He's so charming and talented. I hope he's as successful here as he is in Europe. He's the real deal.
Those of you who didn't like "Love Today" the first time you heard may have a change of heart as you hear it out at bars and at parties and on commercials (it's in a Verizon commercial running now). It really grows on you. The whole album is very good.
I think he got bad advice about not answering questions about being gay. He's obviously gay. It's in his music. He's not hiding it. By refusing to address it, he only drew attention to it as a scandal or something to be ashamed of. He should have just made it clear he's gay at the start and left it at that.
But I can see his problem. He's got huge crossover appeal. He doesn't want to be introduced as "the gay singer." He'd rather be just a young guy who makes good music who happens to be gay.
Posted by: SGR | Mar 20, 2007 2:19:35 PM
Also , I could be wrong, but I think the video is sort of a wink/homage to Wham's Wake me up before you go-go.
Posted by: Giovanni | Mar 20, 2007 2:35:25 PM
Personally I like my pop stars sexually ambiguous.
And yes, the album is fucking brilliant!
Posted by: Stevo | Mar 20, 2007 2:36:09 PM
The album is brilliant, I agree.
And given his response of "There's no enigma." I'd tend to agree, if you've heard the album.
I guess we're coming to the age I'd always hoped for, when sexuallity is becoming a non-event.
It shouldn't matter if he is gay or not, he's not standing on the stage because of it. He's on the stage doing what he loves to do... making music.
Posted by: Tyroga | Mar 20, 2007 2:49:57 PM
slighty annoying song. but i'm not really into dance music...or whatever this is.
Posted by: FanGirlHater | Mar 20, 2007 3:25:08 PM
I hope his us album has better success than the scissor sisters did.
Posted by: matt | Mar 20, 2007 3:41:03 PM
hate to go all larry kramer on anybody's ass, but i am sick to death of celebrities of any ilk who are coy, closeted, bearded, or married but bi-curious (wink wink). this is exactly why we are always one step ahead, twenty steps back. as long as it's a widely held belief that the only way to be successful is to hide or skirt the fact that you're gay, then it will continue to be so. when you are asked, point blank, either say "yes, i am" or just shut the fuck up and go away. you're doing more harm than good.
Posted by: el polacko | Mar 20, 2007 4:37:03 PM
He was never "in" as far as I know.
Nobody aside from a few delusional 15 year old girls would consider him straight anyway.
I also like Rufus Wainwright more.
Posted by: MW | Mar 20, 2007 7:44:32 PM
Why should he have to announce his sexuality? It's his personal business and no one elses. I'm sick of arrogant queens demanding everybody comes out because it suits them.
Posted by: ka-os | Mar 20, 2007 8:31:32 PM
I didn't know his sexuality was such a secret.
Posted by: dmg | Mar 20, 2007 9:42:17 PM
****
"People say, 'You don't talk about sexuality because you're worried about success in the US'. I say, 'Have you heard the f*****g album?' There's a song about a married man who has a homosexual affair. There's no enigma."
****
maybe i am, maybe i'm not....if so, he may very well have no need for viagra which may be more gay than "proud mary". yet, there are certain statements that aren't kicking any door down, yet, do they need to do so?? is there a collective investment amongst a larger "gay community" to expand acceptance....or merely a cooperative shopping circle?? with pockets of people making an effort beyond brand identity of the most aggressive lubricant.
Posted by: ricardo | Mar 23, 2007 5:59:28 AM