Oh, look, a brand new exclusive Mika interview!

Well, that’s quite some year you’ve had! Who surprised you most when you met them?
Dustin Hoffman. He made me realise the biggest are always the best. And Paul McCartney: the warmth and sincerity of what he says. I met Paul like a week ago and we walked past each other. He looked at me and he goes, ‘So, is it Me-ka or My-ka?’ and I was slightly despondent about that but I wasn’t rude as I get it all the time but I said, ‘Oh, it’s fine, it’s Me-ka.’

You didn’t go mad?
I was fine about it. I didn’t say anything. Then he came up to me later that night and said, ‘You know what? I just have to tell you that I know your name is Mika. I think you took me seriously and I wanted to apologise. I know who you are and all about your music. Well done.’ And I thought to myself, ‘Wow, sometimes it pays not to be a dickhead once in a while. Know your place. Know who’s the boss and how it works out.’

What are the rumours you’ve been working with Madonna?
I have absolutely no idea where they came from. They’ve been around about eight months and I keep denying it. I was even on Graham Norton the other night and I had to say, ‘It’s all make believe.’ He just looked a bit disappointed and went, ‘Oh!’ I think that was the only reason he booked me on his show.

So, what does 2008 hold?
I’m on my American tour. Apparently, I sold out my New York show in a couple of days, which is amazing as we’re like a three- to four-thousand sized venue. Then I’m off to Canada to do arenas. I’m starting work on my second album. I already have, but I need more intense solitary work, just doing what I do. I will probably be doing a couple of slots at festivals in the Summer.

Does second-album syndrome worry you at all?
I seem to have more of a sense of humour about it than most people. I just think as long as it is musically intense, really melodic and tells a story. I think a lot of the problem with artists is that they go, ‘I hate what I did!’ I created what I do out of my own volition to begin with so I’m not stuck in that awful situation where I’m just trying to show people who I really am. I don’t want to do that, I just want to show people who I can also be. But let’s not kid about it, it’s not going to be easy. The first one was no way easy. However I am obsessed about it and want to make it good. I have absolutely no idea of when it will come out though.

Perez Hilton has been a big supporter of yours, hasn’t he?
Yeah, he has particularly in America and Australia. He does two things with his blog. On the one hand he does all the celebrity stuff, which gives him the hits, because people really want to read about them. But he also continually pushes new acts in a way that no other person can do. It really works! The amount of new acts he’s supported is just enormous. He really cares about the music. But I completely know that if I go out and make a complete tit of myself and get the attention then I’ll get grilled on his page as much as on any other.

Does it make you hold yourself back?
No, not at all. I go out all the time. I just don’t hang out at Mahiki [where the likes of Prince William go].

So, what’s your New Year’s resolution?
To be more money conscious. I’m not very good with it. Mind you, I haven’t seen any of it yet though!

There is a plethora of delicious Mika goodies out now, including the album Life in Cartoon Motion, a new single ‘Relax (Take It Easy)’ and ‘Lollipop’ available to download. Oh, and a DVD of him live.