EF stories: Michael from Mexico at EF New York

Michael is a well-known figure throughout Mexico (and many other parts of the world) for his immense talent. An artist who has achieved great success with his projects as an actor, singer, and dancer. Now, in pursuit of personal and professional development, Michael is embarking on a new journey to study English in New York with EF to perfect his language skills.

Before boarding the plane, we sat down with him to learn more about his life, ambitions, tastes, and, above all, his desire to learn English. Here's our conversation with Mike:

Being multifaceted is not an easy feat, but you've managed to master various disciplines in the arts. You're an actor, model, singer, songwriter, dancer... What made you want to conquer the visual and performing arts?

Well, actually, from a very young age, I've always liked to have fun, to play. And art goes hand in hand with that. It's about putting something into space that didn't exist before and creating it yourself.

When I discovered that I could act, sing, dance, and create all of this, I went crazy, I went crazy, and I love it! It's what I enjoy most in life. It's like my mission for being here in this life, to communicate, to help, to have fun, and to make people have fun.

Of all the disciplines, which would you say is the one you like the most or feel most comfortable with?

This is one of the most difficult questions of my life because I've never had a concrete answer, and there isn't one... it's different from, say, food. If you were asked, "What do you prefer, pasta or Thai food?" and if you prefer pasta, you eat pasta, right? But no, I've never known what to answer. One day I really like singing, but tomorrow I need to act, and when I'm acting, I need to sing, and when I'm doing both, I need to dance. So, I'll stick with all three. I couldn't live without any of them.

You once wanted to be a soccer player, why the change, what happened?

Yes! There was a time in my life when I wanted to be a soccer player. I really liked it, you know? But then I started working, I started filming, and I thought, "Well, this is what I like." Things started happening, I started working to make things happen, and that's it. Soccer is just a hobby now. I play occasionally on Tuesdays with my brothers, with my friends, and that's it.

You have many years of experience in the world of television and entertainment. Of everything you've achieved so far, which project has fulfilled you the most?

Well, definitely, every project and every character has taught me something, and it's very difficult to pick one project. I believe that even the person I am and what I know, I've learned through my characters and through the projects because each project is a different world, and each one has wonderful things, and each one has its more complicated aspects, right? I don't know if I could pick just one, but... but definitely "Soy Luna" was something supernatural.

You're now a mega influencer on Instagram and TikTok, which has given you the opportunity to connect with your fans and followers worldwide. Based on your own experience, what lessons have you learned from this close contact with your audience?

Well, social media has become an immediate means of communication and a showcase for us artists. Before this, we needed a magazine or a newspaper, or to do a TV interview for people to see us outside of our characters. And now, that has changed. Now it's very easy to reach the artist and see them as they are, to see their projects and how they differ, and that's really cool. I love social media, especially for setting a good example and helping create a better world.

But social media isn't easy, and learning to ignore inappropriate comments must be challenging, especially when you expose your more human side in your videos and photos. How do you manage not to let that affect your daily life?

Honestly, I don't pay much attention to it. And I also have to tell you something funny, but I don't get as many haters or people attacking me with comments like "What are you doing?" or that sort of thing. I don't know why, but it doesn't happen to me as much. I'm fortunate to be surrounded by fans and very warm-hearted people who share beautiful purposes and align with mine.

We know your dad is Italian and that you've sung songs in Italian. Since at EF, our great passion is languages, we want to know: do you speak Italian?

Yes! I do speak a bit of Italian, and I also speak a bit of Portuguese and a bit of English, but I'm eager to master it completely. It's very important to me because next year, I have a couple of projects where I speak in English, which is a big challenge for me, and I want to be well-prepared.

Additionally, speaking languages opens up borders. Speaking different languages is like a key tool. So, I'm very excited to go and try to learn as much as I can. I recognize the importance of this.

Now you're about to embark on this adventure by studying English with us at the EF school in New York. What led you to make this decision?

Well, especially... and this is a secret [laughs], although it's not so secret now because I'm sharing it for the first time. We're working on a project where my character is American, and I need to speak English perfectly. So, this was like the final push, like saying, "Dude, let's do this now! It's now or never." I'm really excited, super excited. So, I want to make the most of my time with EF.

What are you looking for in this journey of studying English with EF?

In this journey, I aim to perfect my English, to go all out, and truly be almost perfect at it. Plus, I love that it's in New York because it's like anyone's dream, you know, going to study in NY for a while is like, "How fun!"

Quickfire questions:

1. Do you miss anything from your childhood?

Getting dirty in the mud.

2. The person who inspires you the most?

Oh wow... I love Robert De Niro, but also my dad and mom inspire me a lot. I don't know! There are many people who inspire me.

3. What's your biggest quirk?

I can't stop singing. It's really hard for me. When I'm alone, I have to sing.

4. What would be your superpower?

100% I would choose flying. Without a doubt, flying!

5. If your life were a movie, what would it be called?

[Laughs] It would be called "The Adventures of Mike."

If you want to know more about how Michael is doing studying English at the EF school in New York, follow us on Instagram and join us on this journey!