Mika adored his mother. The Lebanese-British singer-songwriter got on wonderfully with her, and even trusted her to advise him since the start of his artistic career in 2007: "My mother was fundamental in the development of my creativity and she has always worked with me", he confided to Paris Match in October 2020. Very close to her, Mika therefore suffered a lot when she was diagnosed with brain cancer. "You become an adult when you are faced with the fear of losing someone. At that moment you have to open your eyes, open your heart ", he said in the same interview, still full of hope. But despite his immense courage, Joannie Penniman eventually took the disease after years of struggle. The 37-year-old singer announced his death Thursday, February 4, 2021 in the columns of the Parisian.
The interpreter of Grace Kelly was able to enjoy a special moment with her mother, shortly before her death: Joannie indeed attended her acoustic concert recorded in December 2020 from the Royal Opera of Versailles and broadcast on Friday February 5, 2021 at 8:55 pm: "All my family was present at this concert and even my mother, who trained me, was there in a wheelchair. Somehow, I was doing this concert for her … she left shortly after … ", he said with great emotion.
Mika was very close to his mother
Mika had nevertheless done everything to protect his mother as much as possible, especially since the arrival of the coronavirus in France. Joannie had frightened him during the first confinement. Friday April 3, 2020, he explained everything on Instagram: "The past few weeks have been particularly trying for my family and so many others. Several of my relatives have shown symptoms of the coronavirus (…) My mother was taken by ambulance to the emergency room ". Joannie had managed to cope at the time, which gave her a few more months of her own.
Mika is sure: his mother was proud of him. Of who he has become, of Tiny Love the song he had written for her, from his five studio albums, and from his beautiful relationship with his partner Andy which has lasted for more than ten years. Joannie left, leaving her some "requirements" that Mika will be happy to respect: "Never give in to the easy way, continue to explore new creative horizons … that's what she passed on to me. "
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