By John Dingwall

As flamboyant male pop stars go, you would be hard pushed to find anyone who matches the colourful background of Mika. Born in Beirut 26 years ago, Mika and his family were forced to flee Lebanon’s civil war after their home was bombed. They found a new life in Paris – where his parents realised he was dyslexic and unlikely to fit in with his peers. And by the time he had relocated to London, aged nine, he’d grown used to the homophobic abuse that continued well into his teens.

Finally, Mika – born Michael Holbrook Penniman – realised the only chance he had of finding a way out of his torment was to invent an entirely new, outlandish persona. And it’s one he admits some people still have a problem with.

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‘NON NATIONAL’ MIKA IS AT HOME WHEREVER HIS MUSICAL TALENTS TAKE HIM.. AS HE PREPARES TO WOE IRISH FANS AT OLYMPIA

by Claire Brennan

Unless you have been living under a giant soundproof rock for the lastthree years you’ve probably heard of the one-man musical wonder thatis Mika. The self-proclaimed “marmite” of the music industry has singlehandedly divided the nation with his ultra-flamboyant style andinsanely catchy lyrics.

But love him or hate him you’ve got to give the guy his dues. He’s managed to sell eight million records and is about to embark on a sell-out tour of Europe. Not bad work for a 26-year-old. Mika is the first to admit that he owes much of his success his eclectic upbringing. In fact his childhood was one of constant change.

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He’s on at 1.55

Follow all the news on the Global dance event on the special facebook page, become a fan and share it with your friends! Spread the word!

Click here to go to the Facebook page!

Next Wednesday with Matt your chance to win a pair of tickets to see Mika perform at the Sheffield Arena on Thursday 18th February, where you will also be invited backstage to meet Mika before the show

To enter you must be over 16 and be able to make your own way to and from the venue.

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Oxfam have recently launched the Haiti Earthquake Appeal to raise money for the earthquake-affected Carribean island and Mika has donated the specially-made milk carton that featured in the video for his recent single, ‘Rain’. Better still, he’s signed it!

You can bid on this exclusive Mika collector’s item right here, right now.

The auction is open till Sunday afternoon – please give generously.
All proceeds will go towards Oxfam’s continuing efforts to supply water, sanitation, health, and shelter to the victims of the earthquake.

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Published Date: 04 February 2010
By Tom Cooledge

“It’s like you’ve taken all the pills in your grandma’s medicine cabinet and you’re going on a trip,” says Mika, describing the staging of his latest tour which comes to Leeds later this month.

“This new show is more effective as it’s far darker. There’s the same energy but it’s made all the sweeter by the darkness. This show is far more explosive too, more interesting. It stomps.

“I want to disarm my audience and introduce them to a very alternative world for two hours. I fuse theatre with a concert. I have done since the very early days.”

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Sophie Stratford talks to Michael Holbrook Penniman better known as Mika about his songs, the Brits and Lady Gaga.

TAKING real life and repackaging it as a bizarre fairytale is the inspiration for Mika, who is back on the crest of a wave after two critically-acclaimed albums. The London-based singer-songwriter is dominating the radio playlists again by using Blame It On The Girls, taken from second album The Boy Who Knew Too Much, as his latest single.

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