Mika (singer)

Michael Holbrook Penniman Jr., known professionally as Mika, was born around August 18, 1983. He is the son of an Israeli-born American father and an American mother of Lebanese descent. Mika's early life involved international relocation, moving with his parents to Paris when he was one year old, and subsequently to London at the age of nine. In 2006, he founded his company, Dodgy Holiday Tours Limited. His career breakthrough came with the release of his debut full-length studio album, "Life in Cartoon Motion," on Island Records in 2007. This album sold over 5.6 million copies worldwide, leading to a Brit Award for Best British Breakthrough Act and a Grammy Award nomination. He followed this success with his second extended play, "Songs for Sorrow," in 2008, whose limited edition copies quickly sold out globally. Mika continued his musical output with his second studio album, "The Boy Who Knew Too Much," released in 2009. After completing a worldwide tour, he recorded his third album, "The Origin of Love," which was released on September 16, 2012. His next album, "No Place in Heaven," was released on June 15, 2015. In an August 2012 interview, Mika described himself as gay, having previously inferred he was bisexual in earlier public statements. He is also proficient in multiple languages, speaking English, French, Spanish, and Italian fluently.