Greek Celebrity Interview - Mathildi Maggira Part 1

Interview of  Mathildi Maggira

Where did you grow up?

I was born in Xanthi, Greece. I grew up there until 18 years old. After that I moved to Athens where i studied Civil Engineering, in which i obtained my degree.  At the same time i was attending  Spiros Evvagelatos  Drama School.

When did you realise what you wanted to do?

At 2 years old i was saying that i wanted to be an actress and singer. My soul yearned for me to be a performer. I studied Civil Engineering because of my parents.

What do you prefer, to be an actress or performer?

A performer because it includes being an actress, where as being only an actress does’t necessarily include being a singer and dancer.

You moved to New York to be with your husband, who is a jazz musician, What was your experience there?

When i landed in New York i felt it was like a little Rome. I made a few Greek  friends and every day I waited for them to return from work so we could speak Greek.  Alot of  times i remembered the song my grandmother  used to sing ΞΕΝΙΤΕΜΕΝΟ ΜΟΥ ΠΟΥΛΙ

           ΚΙ ΩΡΑΙΟ ΜΟΥ ΓΕΡΑΚΙ

           Η ΞΕΝΙΤΙΑ ΣΕ ΧΑΙΡΕΤΑΙ

           ΚΙ ΕΓΩ ΠΙΝΩ ΦΑΡΜΑΚΙ

And that’s how i felt, i felt it deeply in my blood.

Did the move to N.Y.C affect your career in Greece?

The  move to N.Y.C was a decision to grow up my daughter and to be with my husband. New York opened up my eyes,  I saw how small Greece is in comparison to the rest of the world. The only affect was that people were questioning my whereabouts. It was after i returned from N.Y.C that i introduced the cabaret shows to Greece. In which was the biggest success Greece ever saw.

Do you create all your performances on stage yourself?

All of the cabaret shows are written and created together with my sister Betty. We are not afraid of trying something new in Greece. I tested my abilities as an actress, singer and dancer  and i succeeded. I became a performer. The first Eurovision was created by the Maggira Sisters and the success of that led us to the second Eurovision in which was created by Giorgos Kapouzidis.

You impersonated Michael Jackson many times in your shows, how do you feel that he has left this life?

I was happy he existed on this earth. I feel his soul was released after his death. I believe he is better off where he is now. I always thought about him when he was alive, he inspired me so much.

What are your future plans with work?

I’m preparing a comedy series online, it will be shown through the internet. It’s called GREEKS THE SHOW. The concept is about two girls who meet at a seminar and have the same goals in life. To put the name GREEKS  under  the  Acropolis and turn Greece into the next Hollywood. In 12 episodes they have to achieve their purpose, going through every obstacle that may  enter  their  way. Including in my future plans, during the winter in Athens I’m preparing a music singing play using well known songs with a background story.

If an offer was made for you to tour and entertain the Greeks abroad, would you be interested?

Yes i would jump at the chance because the Greeks abroad are more Greek . I find them more patriotic. They love their country and are more ethical.

FOR PART 2 OF THE INTERVIEW - CLICK HERE!