The 21-year-old winner of "The Voice", Giannis Margaris talks to Down Town Cyprus magazine and Alexandros Priftis, about how much his life has changed in recent days, responds to the comments he received from the internet, confesses to us the great revolution he made dyeing his hair blue and explains why he has never fallen in love to date.
How do you deal with all this publicity today?
Well, do not imagine that it is a waste, but they recognize me when I go out. Look, when I was little, even today, I did not like publicity. I never imagined myself famous and recognizable! I was scared by this idea. I like the love I receive from the world - they will stop you, they will honk you on the street… As a person I am low-key. I would prefer a relaxed place to drink my drink or coffee, to go somewhere calm with my friends, rather than somewhere to panic.
After all, I do not go out to clubs every day and I do not like crowds. So, I come up with ideas, and to see them flush it out, it's really fun. Ate four months. I will not be constantly in the public eye and this thing will relax, it will get a regularity.
What was the first phone call you made when you won the game?;
When the results were announced, I did not use my mobile phone for the next 24 hours. I only answered my mother, who started to say "congratulations" to me with tears. Basically he was not talking, he was just crying. She cried all the time, telling me how happy she was. But, with tears. Classic Cypriot mother!
What did Kostis Maravegias tell you?
Kostis believed in me a lot. He told me it was just a victory. Nothing else. The game is an opportunity to open some doors to which, until recently, I did not even have access. The fact that I was the winner of "The Voice" does not say anything.
Do you think that you could win if you chose another coach besides Maravegia?
No, I do not believe that. Kostis played a decisive role. He helped me manage myself, my insecurities, he showed me confidence. He became my man.
Were you at all informed about the cyber war that broke out - and focused on you - between Cypriots and Greeks?
Yes, I found out. All this bothered me a lot. You know, I can not accept that the Cypriots only vote for the Cypriots, that is why they win, while the Greeks do not succeed. To me this theory does not stand. It is not bad for the Cypriots to vote for you, but it is ugly for everyone to put up with a 21-year-old child, for everyone to curse him and say that he is "speechless" or "atalant". Greece has a population of 11 million. Cyprus one million. But, even if only the Cypriots voted for me ten times, I would not come out again. This means that Greeks also supported me. So what they say does not apply.
Because Greece supported me a lot! And I see this when I go out on the street, with how much love and warmth they treat me.
Would you participate in a bouzouki band?
No, I would not. Bouzouki or low aesthetics are not bad, as some people say - because I also like these songs and I listen to them - but I could not support these songs in terms of interpretation. I will not say it well. I know it is easier for an artist to get a job in the bouzouki, as opposed to a music scene. But for me, my dream is not to go on the tracks and get the thousands of euros. I want to say the pieces that I will write and that will inspire me.
Are there any role models for you?
No. At 16 I had a girlfriend who pushed me to go to a conservatory. I sang randomly and he said "do you know you have a very good voice?". I did not believe her and thought she was telling me nonsense. A short time later I enrolled in the conservatory and so I started.
Do you have any other repulsions?
Only travel and "The Voice". I did not care so much about victory as about being taken. Think that two years ago I went to ANT1's "The Voice" again and they cut me off!
Truth; Didn't any coach turn his chair?
I did not even reach this stage. I was already cut from the pre-auditions. I was never seen on camera.
Did the comments about your weight and appearance bother you?
I was ready to listen to everything. I expected it. It bothered me a lot, though, because I was concerned about the worldview. I was upset by these comments. But, now, I will shield myself and I will not read these comments.
Did your children make bad comments at school?
No no. They did not care about my appearance, nor can I say that I was bullied. They looked at me with sympathy. Maybe because I had a lot of friends and I was popular.
Have you ever been in the process of changing your image?
No, I have never done that. I have not even dieted. I want to lose weight, but for me. No, because some people make bad comments and I want them to stop. I will do it only for me! No one will pressure me. After all, my family never pressured me. I was not forced. At 17 I dyed my hair blue. Do you know what it is like in a village in Cyprus for a child to dye his hair blue? Revolution! Mine reacted, but then got used to it. Now, if another child does the same, they will not tell him anything. Everyone remembers that Giannis Margaris dyed his hair blue (laughs).
Are you a revolutionary in love?
No. In some parts of my life I am, in others I am not. In these I am a little cowardly, I do not take steps. Besides, I have never fallen in love. Love has never existed in my life. The point is to fall in love with a person and be mutual. Not one-sided. Love is important, I really want it to happen to me, but it has not happened to me until now. I probably never took any steps, I was scared. I also believe in lightning, though. It is also a matter of luck. But, yes, I'm afraid of rejection. I am shy.
Source: Miss bloom