# MIKA on Being Tormented by His Teacher & Finding Safety in Music

An episode of [Great Company with Jamie Laing](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1735702250), 14 Jan 2026, 1 h 03 min.

Audio: https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/65d737dfdc02e00016c413b2/e/69668270d56ec26637a4f092/media.mp3

MIKA’s music is full of colour. It’s bold, joyful and instantly recognisable. It’s the kind of music that lifts you up and meeting MIKA, that same energy radiates through. He’s lived a fascinating life, shaped by bright moments and darker ones too. In this conversation, we talk about the years before his success, the awkwardness of putting yourself out there and how, at his treasured white piano, he found a place of freedom where creativity led, identity didn’t need explaining and he could be himself. We cover: - Fleeing Beirut with his family after civil war broke out - The teacher who tormented him and why he was forced to leave school - How music became a warm ‘hug’ when everything else fell apart - Turning up at Warner Music aged 12 with his demo tracks - Celebrating his sexuality through his music - Why embarrassment can be a force of good MIKA’s story is a reminder that the things that make us different are often the very things that save us. MIKA is Great Company. If you enjoyed the show, you can also follow us: Instagram- @greatcompanypodcast TikTok - @greatcompanypodcast And if you've got thoughts, questions and comments, you can email us at: greatcompany@jampotproductions.co.uk THE CREDITS Executive Producers: Ewan Newbigging-Lister & Jemima Rathbone Producer: Helen Burke Assistant Producer: Issy Weeks-Hankins Video: Jake Ji & Ryley Kirby Social Media: Laura Coughlan & Anthony Barter Great Company is an original podcast from JamPot Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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