Newly married, Elyas M’Barek talks about flights of fancy, white lies – and says why he has recently sworn to meditate.
It shows you from a completely different side! For a long time, film star Elyas M’Barek, 40, kept his love life a big secret – until he married his girlfriend, US model Jessica Riso, 33, in Ibiza and proudly posted photos of the wedding party. White balloons, star glitter confetti, a tender kiss in the open air.
The teenage star is also breaking new ground professionally. In the movie “A Thousand Lines” he plays a journalist who discovers how an award-winning reporter colleague is inventing stories. The film is based on the book by Juan Moreno, who exposed Claas Relotius from the magazine “Der Spiegel”.
Elyas M’Barek in the big GALA interview
GALA: You say that the film is very important to you. Why?
Elyas M’Barek: I heard about the scandal in 2018 and, like many others, I felt betrayed by the extent of all these lies. And of course it is great film material. A great heroic story of a false hero. And from a second who nobody believes.
Is there a difference between “lying” and “telling an untruth”?
No, a lie is a lie. There is no such thing as “half pregnant”. (laughs)
What about fibbing? Have you ever cheated?
no I am very honest. I don’t lie, I don’t cheat, and I don’t make up white lies. This can sometimes make it very uncomfortable. But if someone asks me, they get a true answer – I expect the same from the other person. I think anyway, everything always comes back and every untruth comes out at some point. Once my trust has been abused or gambled away, it’s over.
Do you have any other principles?
It was always very important to my mother to be honest and polite, to stay true to yourself and not to pretend. And what I also learned from my mother is to feel great gratitude for what is in life.
The actor reveals: That grounds him
You are one of the biggest movie stars in Germany. Have you gotten used to being famous?
Yes, but that was a development. I had to get rid of my insecurities at first. A lot of things used to make me nervous. Also interview situations on the red carpet, the great attention and that everyone suddenly wants something from you and also quickly gets physical on the street.
How is it today?
I now know how to calm down and how to deal with stressful situations or simply withdraw from such situations. I’m much more relaxed about a lot of things. A lot of the excitement isn’t even worth it.
And in which moments do you enjoy your celebrity bonus?
In the restaurant – the doors open faster, get a good table and are treated very courteously. But of course I pay my bill. I don’t like to take things as gifts, because then there are always expectations.
Would you say you’ve grown up?
I’m definitely more grounded today.
You used to be certified here and there as flying high…
Did I broadcast something like this? I don’t think any of my friends would ever say that I’ve had a high at any point – quite the opposite. My friends say how normal I’ve remained and how little I’ve actually changed over the years.
What’s keeping you down?
My wife, my friends, my environment. I need little hype. I also don’t feel so comfortable when I’m the center of attention. I do that too much in my job.
That’s why Elyas M’Barek sees aging as a good thing
In any case, you’ve learned a lot – you’ve outgrown the teenage star shoes.
Yes, definitely. I can no longer play roles that I played 20 years ago. I would have stopped somewhere if I was still playing “Turkish for Beginners” now. Now I’m 40 and I enjoy trying out so many genres.
Has 40 done anything to you?
I’m happy about all the ups and downs that I’ve been able to experience so far and grateful for every moment.
Let’s take a look into the future: Where do you see yourself at 50?
Today it can happen so quickly that you lose yourself and get stuck on unimportant things. I am careful not to lose my inner compass. I have the feeling that the older I get, the stronger I become.
What do you mean?
The last time in particular has shown me that I know more and more exactly what I want. I was looking for many years and I certainly didn’t always make the right decision. Who can say that about themselves! It doesn’t matter if I have four children, five dogs and a house with a garden – these are only superficial things. I want to be as happy when I’m 50 as I am now.
Do you want children?
Yes of course.
This is how the “Thousand Lines” actor comes to rest
Where do you draw strength from?
I discovered meditation. I thought this was some esoteric nonsense for a long time, but it’s super cool. I now meditate every day, and that is also important to me.
In what way?
I used to live way too fast. Today I set my appointments in a completely different way, I take my time, read a book and turn off my cell phone. I don’t want to be available all the time.
You are often in Ibiza and have just got married there. Could you imagine leaving Germany?
no I have a second home there and like to spend the summer – and not only that – on the island. I love being abroad because I can live much more anonymously there. But I also like Munich and Berlin, where I also work a lot. I don’t want to live in one place all the time.
What would be your favorite headline for this interview?
“Elyas M’Barek is like a good cheese: the older, the better.” (laughs)