UK pop star Mika has been threatened with a lawsuit over the use of his stage name by another 'Mika' - a female Belgian reggae star - and now our local gay Maori artist Mika has also revealed a legal battle to use his name. NZ's Mika The 'Grace Kelly' singer - real name Mica Penniman - has been asked by the Belgian Mika to use a different title because she registered 'Mika' as her performance name in the 1980s. She wants the pop star to alter his name or otherwise pay damages, saying: "I was called Mika before him and have even registered the name. "Even though his real name is Mica, I think he should change it.” New Zealand's Mika says he can "completely understand" the Belgian singers' concerns. He says he owns the name 'Mika' and sought legal advice to ensure the UK pop star couldn't stop him using the name. At one point, Mika's lawyers even suggested the UK pop star's stage name could be changed to 'Mica'. "I was around before him, and I was even in Britain before him, which is even more contentious," he says. "It's an issue when I tour internationally, or if the British Mika comes to New Zealand. "I registered the name Mika, and they've agreed that it's fine for me to keep using my name," the Kiwi Mika explains. "I understand completely where the Belgian singer's coming from, except she's a Belgian reggae music star, I'm a gay Maori artist. I don't think we are really that similar to someone who sings songs about Grace Kelly in a high woman's voice in tight white pants," he laughs. Ref: Digital Spy, GayNZ.com (m)
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Sunday, 23rd September 2007 - 11:47am