Manila article/Interview on Greekboy!!

TAKE FIVE
‘I hope to meet someone I can have a family with’

First posted 01:01am (Mla time) Nov 16, 2005
By Marinel R. Cruz
Inquirer News Service



Editor's Note: Published on Page A2-1 of the November 16, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

“I WAS ALWAYS HOPPING FROM ONE JOB TO ANOTHER. Now, it’s nice to just wake up every morning and think about my music and acting. I don’t have to go back to waiting tables.”

Constantine Maroulis, finalist in the 2005 edition of the wildly popular “American Idol,” spoke with the local entertainment press on Monday about life before and after the talent search.

Said the New York-based rocker. “I worked very hard for a long time in this business just to get a job—I’ve studied, I’ve toured, everything. [Now] the attention is a bit overwhelming. I’m actually a shy person, believe it or not.”

Constantine is in the country for a series of concerts, titled “Constantine Maroulis Live at Ayala Malls.”

Tomorrow night, at 8 p.m., Constantine will be at the Greenbelt 3 Park in Makati City. On Friday, 7 p.m., he will perform at the Alabang Town Center. On Saturday, he flies to Cebu for a show at the Ayala Mall there.

How do you handle women swooning over you?
I don’t

have much luck with women. But I’d like to just concentrate on my work. Hopefully, I’d meet somebody I could fall in love with and have a family with.

How about men swooning over you?

Well, I’m flattered that anyone likes me and what I do—as long as they dig my music, too. I’ve been involved in theater so I’m used to [various] sexual orientations. I’m very comfortable with everybody. I also grew up with a very culturally diverse family, with my parents being Greek Orthodox. I’m cool with everyone.

Are you going back to theater?

I’ve already received a lot of calls from New York about some new shows. I love the theater. But right now, it’s important for me to focus on my solo career and the album that I will be working on full time this winter.

If you had to really focus, would you be an actor or a singer?

I grew up doing both. I consider myself a Renaissance man. I studied dance, music and acting. I play instruments, I love rock ’n’ roll, jazz. I like to do all [of that]. That’s probably why it took me this long to get to where I am—I’ve spread myself thin. But I’m cool with that.

Let’s talk about your idols, what’s the first rock band that you really loved?

It has got to be The Doors. Jim Morrison was an amazing poet and a great performer. I also like stuff from the ’80s, like Bon Jovi, Guns ’n’ Roses, Nirvana and Queen.

Turning the tables, what would be the three questions you’d ask your fans?

Are you going to stay with me forever? Are you always going to be a friend of mine? What is it, besides my singing or the way I look, that you like about me?

Are you dating anyone?

No. I don’t have time. It’s not fair to the girl. You know, being single is boring. It would be nice to share all these great things with someone.

How’s Constantine when he’s in love? Do you serenade your woman?

Most of the time, the girls I date are sick with my singing all the time. They only sort of want to see the other side of me. Yeah, I’m pretty romantic.

What’s your take on the idea that you’re a role model for the youth?

I welcome it. I love children and I think I could be a good role model. I have a positive outlook of the world. I come from a good family. I’ve always worked hard. I’ve always taken school seriously. I’ve always tried to be respectful to other people. I make mistakes but I always overcome them. I think that’s important. No one’s perfect.

What’s the greatest lesson you’ve learned from ‘AI’?

That I still have a lot to learn in the business and with my art. That’s what I love about my art, it’s ever growing, whether as an opera singer, rock singer, classical or Shakespearean actor. It’s a continuous process. You can learn from everyone.

What was your first reaction when you heard you were being invited to a faraway place called the Philippines?

I was so flattered. This is not my first trip to Asia. I’ve been to Japan when I was touring “Rent.” We played in Tokyo and Osaka. Japan is a beautiful country but it’s not like here. The Philippines is really special. I wish I had the opportunity to come here before. I’ve heard about the beautiful beaches in Cebu. I’m just so excited to be here.