An Interview with Our Superstar - Mike Galeli
One thing's for sure, Mike has been a good friend and customer of ours for years. With his charming nature, he knows exactly how to put himself in the limelight. An everyday life between Turkey and Austria, leather goods, modelling and an acting career. He talks to us about his experiences and what has made him so successful.
// Mike, first tell us, what is your secret to success?
Mike: First, the family; the family is very important. Then discipline, ambition and belief in oneself. Of course, creativity and the ability to apply it are also important. The most important thing in the whole story is to stay grounded. Life is a process of coming and going.
// As a multi-talent, you have seen so much of the world. Is there anything you particularly like to think back on?
Mike: I like to think back to the old days. The modelling career and the fashion shows were my highlights. We were a team and a small family. We travelled a lot and had some of the most successful stage shows. We laughed and partied a lot during that time. It was a really special time for me. Today, I have a great family. Of course, this is nice and not comparable, but there's responsibility involved. In the old days, we were free.
// How did you get into the leather goods business? Are you still able to sleep at night with all of the new ideas in your head?
Mike: [laughs] Actually, I'm only able to sleep a little. I have a lot of ideas. These days, you have to be able to keep up. The topic of sustainability is also a big focus of mine. The idea for the leather goods business came to me back then when I happened to buy a leather case at a bazaar in Turkey. At that time, accessories for smartphones were not yet an issue or provided for at all. A friend of mine called me from New York and said, Mike, you have to do something now, because he needed a mobile phone cover for his iPhone. With my networks in Turkey, I got behind this task in 2007 and just started.
Shortly after that came the economic crisis in 2008, and that was the year I decided to take a break from shooting films to focus fully on leather goods.
// Considering your birth name is Oğuz, how did you come up with the name Mike?
Mike: Mike is a stage name. Back then I had a casting at my first model agency in Bludenz - Michaela Niedermayer Model Factory. My long hair and my playback performance as Michael Jackson led to this name.
// Would you participate in a show again? And if so, which one can you imagine?
Mike: [laughs] I could very well imagine being a judge on "Germany's Next Topmodel" or a fashion show in general.
// On the Austrian show "Dancing Stars" you even made it to the finale. Are you still dancing?
Mike: [laughs] If there are a few glasses of wine involved, with pleasure. Joking aside, I would actually love to dance again. It was a very nice time on "Dancing Stars". Dancing takes all the stress away and brings you so much joy. I would love to take on a challenge like that again on Germany's "Let's Dance".
// As a superstar you are also known in Istanbul. How do you link these two worlds, Turkey and Austria?
Mike: Well, in Istanbul, it used to be very difficult to go out on the street. I was even accompanied by bodyguards. You have to consider that, there, the shows and films have a viewing rate of 52%. Austria is a great balance for me. I stand in the middle. One shouldn't forget one's roots and homeland. My roots are in Turkey but my heart also beats for Austria. I'm also an integration ambassador for Austria.
// Is there anything you regret in the life of Mike Galeli? Would you follow the same path again?
Mike: I would follow the path exactly as I did before. I did a lot of things right - you can't do everything right. The only thing I regret is that I would have liked to spend more time with my family. That includes my mother. Unfortunately, she passed away. I would have liked to have had more time for her.
// What are you happy about at the end of the day?
Mike: What I'm most happy about is that I go to bed healthy and get up healthy again.
// Do you prefer to be a model or an actor?
Mike: Actually, I like both of those things equally. Acting is interesting, you play a character that's not you. It's a great challenge, but modelling is also a lot of fun.
// What was your favourite show or film to be on the set of?
Mike: I enjoyed being in front of the camera for all films and shows. But my favourite was for the show "Aci Hayat".
// Coincidence or fate?
Mike: Rather fate.
// Which award are you most proud of?
Mike: I have so many that I can't even count. But the toughest award was Let's Dance. I'm also very proud of the title Mister Vorarlberg. It was this title that started it all, my launchpad into a modelling and acting career, so to speak. By the way, Astrid (head of the model agency INMODELS) was one of the judges at the time.
// Will your children follow in your footsteps?
Mike: They should and have to decide that for themselves. The older one less so, but I can imagine it with the little one. I can see myself in him, a little entertainer.
// And finally, is there anything in life that you are afraid of?
Mike: There's no fear in concrete terms. I'm not afraid of death, for example, but one wish would be that I could hold a grandchild in my arms before I leave this world. I've achieved everything I wanted, but this would still be a special wish.
Thank you very much for the open exchange and the glimpse we were allowed to have into your life. You can find the high-quality products in the online shop mikegaleli.com - just drop by!
