Australian performer MiG Ayesa may star as Galileo in the hit musical WWRY now on at the Esplanade, but the genial singer doesn't act like a rock star. Wearing a colourful print tee from Spanish label Custo Barcelona and Dutch label G-star's jeans, Ayesa, 38, happily answers questions in a chatty manner.
His good-naturedness has endeared him to his fans too, who send him gifts ranging from the charming- an electric toothbrush that plays Queen's WWRY to the expensive, an Apple iPhone which cost more than $500.
"I'm a big fan of Apple. Usually when I receive a big gift I say I can't possibly accept it, but with the iPhone it was a case of how can I possibly not accept this", he says with a laugh.
Married to a dancer Simone De La Rue for the last six years, he says his career choice initially worried his family, none of whom had worked in entertainment. His mother, 3 brothers and grandfathers are in medical fields, while his stepfather is a lawyer. "I'm the only one who's doing something completely different," says Ayesa, who is of Spanish-Filipino descent and grew up in Sydney.
It paid off, though. He has played leading roles in musicals including Rent, Grease and West side story before landing his role in WWRY in 2003.
However, the singer who recently released his own album 'MiG' became a household name in 2005 as one of the 3 finalists in TV show Rockstar INXS, in which Aussie rock band INXS held a worldwide search for a new frontman.
He did not win but says: "That show was great. It widened my fan base tremendously, I think my nerves got to me towards the end of the contest though, I took it seriously."
While he may not have won, he doesn't think he lost either. as he is now reprising the Galileo role. "I get to sing Queen's songs on stage and that's pretty amazing."
7 Things in his bag:
1. iPhone
This was a gift from a fan who's become a very good friend. I love Apple products. I think they've set a benchmark for innovative products that are elegant and simple to use.
2. Apple laptop
I've had this for almost two years. It's my office. I use it to write songs, edit photos and videos and arrange music playlists for gigs.
3. Electric Toothbrush
This was a gift from an American fan and it plays the Queen song, WWRY. It scared me a little when I first brushed my teeth. I can hear the music through my teeth.
4. Gucci sunglasses
This was a gift from my wife. She was so tired of me wearing the same old pair of sunglasses that she got me these.
5. Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa
I discovered this in Chinatown in Sydney and it's great for my voice. Especially when my throat gets sore from all the singing. I've passed it on to a lot of other singers and they loved it too. In fact, I think our stage management got us a whole box here in Singapore.
6. MiG
This is my album which I've just released. It's great to have one handy in my bag so I can whip it out when I'm talking to people about my music. It's shameless self-promotion really.
7. Queen: The Early Years by Mark Hodkinson
I got this book as part of my research for my role in the musical. Reading about the members of Queen and how they grew up has made me respect them even more. They rose from humble beginnings to became massive superstars.
His bag:
I got this from Gap in London. It cost just £30 and has lasted me four years. I still haven't found the perfect bag though, one with the right compartments for all my things.
