SAKIS ROUVAS: "I strive for perfection" And he has accomplished it!

Sakis with his sweet smile and bright eyes is the artist that has it
all: talent, success and at the same time he is the personification
of health, serenity, harmony, contribution to others and joy of
life! All that in to one! Too good to be true? No! At least that's
what we found out when we tried to understand the phenomenon Sakis,
an afternoon at his home (a mansion and a garden with lots of trees
and flowers). The house had a view of the sea. At the back yard
there was a comfortable pool with a wooden deck and lazy chairs. The
insides of the house are particularly tasteful, comfortable, and
quiet like any bachelor's house. There are relaxing sofas in earthy
colors, books, CDs and DVDs everywhere. Sakis is a "gadget guy".
While he prepares my espresso, I have time to look around: 50 inch
TV screen, DVD player, video home cinema, cable TV and a cell phone
of the latest technology that rings very often until he turns it of…
He declares that he is "slightly addicted to his laptop that he
keeps permanently connected to the cables internet". While I enjoy
the first ships of my coffee he drinks water from a bottle. He is
particularly polite and we stop speaking formally after I insist. We
talk about his life in L.A. and the "New York – London" angle that
defines his new artistic activities. Our conversation warms up as
soon as I mention his philanthropic work: "Recently the Greek Anti –
Cancer Organization has asked me to be the new representative for
their new campaign. I accepted, loved and embraced the cause. I want
to offer as much as I can. This campaign focuses on the stages of
prevention of cancer, the otherwise called four circles of life:
healthy diet, protection against the sun, clear environment,
personal fitness. I find that attitude optimistic and full of love
for mankind and life".

Int:
How did you feel when you held the Sakis doll in your hands?
Sakis:
I felt that I am holding, not simply a toy, but a very original way
to help those in need. You see part of the profits will be given to
the Olympic village, a philanthropic organization that offers
support to handicap children and their families. Both of my recent
concerts have been given for the same cause. Children, healthy or
not, are defenseless and need our protection and care.

Int:
Do you want to have kids?
Sakis:
I love children! Having them is one of my life's major goals though
not immediate ones. I would like to have a large, warm family with
many noisy, happy children!

Int:
Has your childhood played a part in your desire to have children?
Sakis:
I think that everyone is affected by his experiences. As a child I
had the privilege of having a "full life" in Corfu and that has
definitely shaped my life. My memories of these years are full of
music, teenage friendships lots of fun and games at the sea and
sports …

Int:
You have already set the bases for an international career. How
determined are you to promote it?
Sakis:
Next year I will have completed 15 years in the music industry and I
think that the best move I could make is … going back to school! I
have very ambitious plans. The idea of "settling down" with a
successful career does not suit me. I like toughies, so I decided to
set new targets and go to acting school in L.A. This is something I
have always wanted to do, like a "bug" that has been eating me. I
like learning new things next to people who are very accomplished in
their field. I am very optimistic about the future and totally
committed to my new goals.

Int:
You are a beloved pop idol. Have you dreamt of this since your
childhood? Did you ever believe you where going to go this far?
Sakis:
I believe in my potentials but I am also at a constant struggle with
myself. From the moment I decided to become a singer I was looking
high! I am very strict with myself and with the people I work with.
If I don't achieve what I have set out to do I can't find rest. I
want everything done right and professionally without compromises.

Int:
How do you combine strictness and perfectionism with the joy of life
and warmth that you seem to have?
Sakis:
That is a game of balance between my professional and personal life.
Work is work and the details make the difference. I pay close
attention to the details, all these elements that you don't notice
at first. The optical angle that you use to watch things is the one
that makes you different. But when your job is done, your personal
life, your friends and having fun becomes a priority. That's how I
keep the sensitive balances and manage to feel good both in my
personal life and career wise.

Int:
Are you one of these guys that go to bed early?
Sakis:
I take good care of myself and sleep plays a big part both in mental
and physical rest, but that doesn't mean that when I am out having
fan I will drop everything at bedtime according to schedule. If I am
partying with friends, I will stay out all night without a second
thought!

Int:
Do you work out regularly?
Sakis:
Yes I do! Exercising is a way of life for me. It's a habit I
acquired when I was an athlete. It has never become tiresome or a
burden.

Int:
Do you smoke?
Sakis:
Never! Like I said I was an ex – athlete. I like healthy living and
tasty but clean food. The joy of life for me is expressed through
health, love and contribution to others.

Int:
How much do you like fashion and to what extend are you creating it?
Sakis:
I like clothes that make me feel comfortable. It is common for a
public figure to create or affect fashion even if it happens
unintentionally. Something that he does, something that he wears,
something that he says can become a trend. Speaking for myself,
although I like fashion, I would never pick an outfit just because
it's some designer's clothes without making certain that they look
good on me.

Int:
For some people the story of your life sounds like a fairy tale. Are
you truly "Prince Charmin"?
Sakis:
Everyone who is dreaming a fairy tale life must be prepared for a
struggle, hard work and sacrifices. Everything I have accomplished
so far have been a result of hard work, I didn't find them ready so
I appreciate them twice as much. What I have learned all these years
is that success and recognition comes after hard work, being a
professional and having respect for others and mostly self –
respect. That's the only way to make our "dreams" come true.

Int:
Do you believe?
Sakis:
Yes, ever since I was a little boy. Every day life gives us dozens
of reasons – sometimes pleasant, sometimes not – to believe,
appreciate and love …

Int:
Does time scare you? Does it bother you that some day you won't be
young?
Sakis:
Time at least so far has treated me kindly. I grow up and grow old
consciously. Every professional makes plans so that time won't pass
him by! That's why I want to stay ahead, find new ideas and evolve.
My goal is to be as complete as I can be. To expand my knowledge and
horizons constantly. While I can still do that, I am certain that
time will be an ally not an enemy. That is the reason I decided to
host Eurovision and not participate in 2006, something that has also
been proposed to me. I thought about it and have decided to take a
step further.

Int:
What does participating in Eurovision as a host instead of a
contestant mean to you?
Sakis:
I like to try new things. During my contacts with ERT before
accepting their proposal I realized that I would assume a very
important new role. Being a host for Eurovision 2006 is a very big
honor and challenge. I intend to give the best of me and contribute
to something that will leave a mark in Eurovision history and music.

Int:
Do you sing when you are home alone?
Sakis:
Music and singing is in my blood, a huge part of me! I whistle and
sing a lot and not necessarily my own songs! Sometimes a song gets
stuck in my head when it is connected to something that has made an
impression on me. For instance, after a concert when a song is very
popular with the crowd I get excited and it might stick on me. It
happened to me recently in Istanbul during a show: I sang "Hilia
Milia" (= A thousand miles), a song from my latest album and the
audience loved it because it is a song with very evident ethnic
parts and very lively beat. The show was over but the song stuck to
me and I was singing it during the drive from the studio to the
hotel. A little while back, in summer, I was in Corfu for a video
shoot and I met my old schoolteacher. When the director asked me to
sing an old traditional Corfu song, I asked her and we sang together
the song: "Here in this neighborhood, a block away / a little grouse
has made her nest". Do you know it? Well, anyway I had a flashback
from my childhood and I caught myself singing it endlessly until the
whole crew went to a restaurant by the sea, where we had lunch.

Int:
What does love mean to you?
Sakis:
It means, life, inspiration, passion, magic, creation, beautiful
emotions in the good times and the bad. Love is always sweet even
when it hurts…

And at that point our interview was over. He showed me out and I
left smiling – it seems Sakis smile is contagious!

These are the pictures from the magazine.