He writes a drama series about his rise and fall, plans his second wedding and starts working with Roberto Ben-Shoshan ("At Eyal Golan I Walked On The Place") • After leaving debt and depression, Moshik Afia feels again.
"Believe the name is navigating me." Afia // Photo: Kfir Ziv
On the final day of 2019, it was learned that the all-powerful agent Roberto Ben-Lily signed a new talent in his office: singer Moshik Afia.
Quite a few eyebrows were raised in the face of the move. After all, Ben Shoshan mainly represents singers and models in their early stages, accompanying their break-up, while Afia is, how to say, an old Oshia in the industry, behind which countless albums, a good number of well-known songs - as well as personal communications, which did not always appear in the music sections.
"To make a comeback, Moshik took a comeback expert, the man who made a comeback himself," explains Ben Shoshan.
Efia: "True."
How did the connection between you happen?
Moshik: "I have known Roberto for more than 20 years. Throughout my career we would meet behind the scenes of TV shows and events, but we did not work together. Today I am a new musician in some respects, one of which is that I am now more ready than ever. To make the comeback and come "To the highest places, to be where I deserve it, I need a change. I picked up Roberto by phone, met - and we quickly reached consents."
Roberto: "I talked to Moshik and asked him the hard questions. If he really wants to succeed and if he learned from past mistakes. I realized he understood where he was wrong and what needs to be corrected, I had no deliberation.
"In my opinion, Moshik is the best Mediterranean singer, with a rock star voice. He can be number one in the country, and never given the chance to be. We had a surprisingly good conversation, during which I found out he never made Caesarea, a place that was far less successful From him they appeared.
"On a personal level, we had an instant connection, love at first sight, and I truly believe in him. There is not one person who doesn't love him. Even my wife, who is most important, told me she died on him and that he was a guy with a big heart."
Sometimes it is harder to fight back than to break through.
Roberto: "Not sometimes. Comeback is something more difficult."
Moshik: "It has a plus and a minus. I agree it's hard, but I have more than 200 songs, some of which have become Iron Sheep assets. People have gone through elementary, high school and military and married them."
Roberto: "Don't forget that with a young singer you have to start building a resume, so they come to see him on the show. Resume of songs don't build in two days. Moshik knows how to hold on, he was down, he was up - and now we are back towards the top. soon".
With his fiancee, Dana. "She came into my life a year ago, turned on all the lighting in the world and directed it at me" // Photo: Nir Pekin
What's his name?
"'Coco or scattered'".
***
For over 25 years she has flown (45) on the ground, years during which he released 17 albums, recorded favorite songs ("I'm Not Available", "Catch", "Total Kiss", "From Heaven", "Forever", "Sweet Violins" "," Give Her, "" I Got You, "" Take A Woman, "" Blind Love ") and plowed the country in shows. With a warm baritone voice and a unique look, he is considered one of the industry's favorite singers, but has never been able to reach the highs that some of his genre mates have already tasted.
Over the years he experienced a deterioration in his financial situation, and in 2014, a bankruptcy proceeding began on debts estimated at NIS 2 million. The procedure lasted five years and ended with a settlement.
"When you make such a long career, you are not free of mistakes," he explains. "I did not act logically and did not act with discretion. I was very young, I was a wizard and did not make money. I wasted a lot. These are things you learn, and today I am a different person. My attitude and vision are different.
"It may also be that over the years I have not always been with the right and right people for me. But in large, I can only blame myself. I do not analyze too much where I was wrong and where not, but try to really think what is right next to me.
"I internalized the mistakes I made on my personal and professional side, and today I'm elsewhere. I came to the intersection where I said to myself: Either I connect with the strongest people in the industry, like Roberto, or I retire. I realized I had to go all over the box. I need professional people who believe In me and my talent. "
***
The last feature of Afia's tumultuous career was recorded in June 2015, when it was announced as the winner of "Big Brother VIP", on the days when reality aired on Request. Honesty, humor and kindness brought him the victory at home, as well as the prestigious Jeep - taken from him to cover his debts and accumulate the bankruptcy process he went through. At that time, he was working on Liam Productions, owned by Eyal Golan and Bnei Peretz.
During "Big Brother VIP". "After winning, I reached crazy numbers of performances, the 32nd of the month, but the pressure drops over time, which is legitimate" // Photo: Noam Rivkin Fenton
"To this day, I get a lot of love," he says. "My character was revealed in Big Brother, and I still remember it. People don't just come to me for a photo shoot, but start talking to me like they met a friend on the street. In terms of career, it has only done me a good, an experience I will never forget."
Do you feel you have taken advantage of the momentum properly?
"Yes and no. When I left Big Brother, I came to crazy numbers of performances, on the 32nd. But as you know, the pressure drops over time, which is legitimate. I kept showing up, but not as often, until it all waned. Looking back, if you ask me if I would do it again, the answer is yes. "
And yet, there is a sense that after "Big Brother" is pretty much gone.
"True, and there are periods like that too. I launch a nose, not a few months' gimmick. I make a way, and when you make a way, it's curvy. There are ups and downs."
Do you have an explanation for the winding road?
"I am a believer, and I believe the name is steered me. I try and if necessary, I will turn every stone and rock so things happen and move. But in the end, what needs to happen, like the merger with Roberto. I believe it's the right time for me and now it will happen".
Don't you have a sense of missing out?
"Yes, and that's okay to say it. Maybe I should have started bigger and more serious shows. But if we look at the bright side, at least I now have goals to mark them. Life is a school, and the wisdom is to learn, internalize and move on. Repeating mistakes, and I'm not serious. That was, but right now some studios are working on my new songs, and I'm going to dictate the tone. It's my time, and it's going to explode and grow. "
Roberto: "There were no good and new songs to push the career. They came to blow, which is good, but it doesn't last long. After 'Brother' they had to shred new songs, but they didn't, because they might not expect success."
Moshik, what have you changed in your behavior?
"If in the past I was too involved in management, today I took a step back. Today I do only what I need, with emphasis on the" only. "My head is only in music. I get songs from all over the country, listen and look for materials. And remember what I told you: There is what to expect. "
By the way, are you watching the current season of "Big Brother"?
"Yes, I can see the yard and remember how Niro annoyed me. Every step I take reminds me of what time I spent there."
Afia, whose TV career also includes a last-minute evasion of the "Life in La La Land" reality show in 2012, due to his fear of flying, reveals that he has recently been busy writing a personal drama series about his life story, and is now in talks with producers to shoot it. "It will be a colorful series, with all the possible emotions. One year ago someone asked me why I didn't write a series about myself. At first I didn't understand what I wanted from me, but one evening it went through my mind, sat down and started writing. I wrote a life story about me and the industry, From my perspective, which is crazy. "
What will be in the first chapter?
"A shy boy in Holon, with blonde Cara, goes into the store to buy a notebook for school and calls it a female - because they thought I was a girl. It would be nice to see how this shy person works out in three jobs to fulfill his dream and break into music. I remember singing like the singers I listened to , And I realized that I had the bacterium. The series would follow the boy breaking into the competitive industry, with the extreme ups and downs, the least good times, the laughs and the experiences. "
Who will portray you in the series?
"I didn't think about it. I think I would play myself, it would be the most authentic. But you know, maybe James Dean (laughs)."
Afia at the beginning
In "Next Star for Eurovision" didn't you want to participate? Maya Buscilla has waved it well.
"No. What do I have to look for there? I don't want to represent Israel at Eurovision, it doesn't interest me. I'm less suited to it. Eurovision needs a show, a dancer and some craze, and I'm not there. Even if they were approached without competition, I would say that People are better suited. A singer also needs to know what he can't do, and Eurovision is not for me. "
And a reality judge?
"Why not? I think so."
***
In August 2016, after about two years of joint work, Afia and Liam Productions, owned by Eyal Golan and Bnei Peretz, were reportedly separated. In this office are represented, among others, the singers Nasrin Kadri, Louis Ali and Itai Levy. The joint work did not yield great successes, according to Afia's method, and the announcement of the business separation did not knock anyone out of the chair.
"I left for business reasons, but overall I had a good name. I left not because something necessarily happened," he explains cautiously. "Throughout my career, I worked with several offices, and I didn't grow up with anyone. My son, Eyal and I are good friends, and I thank them for everything they did for me."
I was taught not to leave when good.
"When I got to them, I was looking to be the head of the office, and there I didn't get it. 'Liam Productions' is a big office, and I was one of several."
There was a feeling that you were silenced there.
"you said".
And what do you say?
"I'm not a person to fall asleep. I've given my whole life to music, and when I feel like I'm stepping on the spot, and not getting what it's worth, I can recalculate. That's exactly what I did. However, it's really not accompanied by the mess and the conflicts."
Could you be a little careful in your words?
"I'll say this: I had higher expectations, and I was disappointed. But it ended with kisses and hugs. You know why? Because I have no other way."
The Mediterranean genre is full of conflicts.
"I do not know this way. I can talk pleasantly, and what does not fit does not fit. Believe me you can finish nicely."
What did you expect to happen while working with them and did not happen?
"As far as you can answer it modestly, I expected them to open shows in a big order that I deserve."
And why didn't it happen?
"You should ask them that."
Didn't you demand what you think you deserve?
"I was expecting things to come from them too. They are professional people who know what momentum is and how to exploit it. It's like you win the lottery and you have to save the money and also increase - and they didn't. I had aspirations and expectations that this would happen, but it didn't explode. I wanted it to explode.
"My career and family are ahead of me. If I'm a little uncomfortable, or if I see things not moving, I'm talking and commenting, but things have to come from whoever runs you, and I don't have to convince anyone to do it for me. When it didn't happen, I felt like you didn't That desire, I got up and went. "
Do you feel they did not believe in you?
"I don't know if this is the right wording. I remember I was hosting a stag show in the Culture Hall, and my son would take pictures of the audience and be a mess. So maybe it didn't come from this place.
Eyal Golan // Photo: Coco
"I told you that I was a believer, and when I look back today, I tell myself it's a good thing it didn't happen. I'd rather it happen to the people I'm with today, people who live with success and know what to do and how to do. That's what I don't need. Nothing, but also my right to say 'to this day - and now I go'. "
How is your relationship with Eyal and your children?
"Friends."
Liam Productions said in response: "We love Moshik Afia and wish him success later on."
Another prominent figure whose relationship with her eyes went awry is broadcaster Didi Harari. In October 2018, it was reported that the relationship between the two, who had previously been friends, had come to a halt, after Aphieh demanded NIS 50,000 to sing on Harari's TV show, which aired online. Harrie's production refused, and her eyes didn't come.
"Believe me it's just, bro," Afia tries to lighten. "Didi invited me for the second time to stay with him on the show and wanted me to sing 'Sweet Dream' and old songs. I wanted to sing new songs too, so I demanded payment. When they didn't want to pay - I didn't come.
"If you look at my career, you won't find many conflicts. And you know what, I use this stage to express my love and appreciation for myself. It was not a quarrel, but another argument on the way. If I see him on the street now, I will obviously embrace and kiss him ".
Some may say that NIS 50,000 is an excessive payment. Maybe you did not want to deliberately reach his plan?
"Maybe. There is that, too, but Didi is my friend. I really like the man."
***
The extravagance with which Adi admits, the insufficient focus and overall career instability led him to invest in almost NIS 2 million in debt, forcing him to declare a bankruptcy proceeding in 2014.
"If you've read my bankruptcy case, you've probably realized it's one of the hilarious cases," he says angrily. "I had debts for four different banks, and at the beginning of the process, I offered to repay half a million. I did not accept my offer, but after a few years they confirmed that I would repay 330,000.
According to Afia, he has repaid all his debts and now owes nothing to any creditor.
Why is this story still infuriating to you?
"It upsets me and brings me back to places I don't want to be in. This whole thing has to be in the past tense, because today everything is fine. These were the worst years of my life, which I will never forget. Today I am really in a different place. The crumbs. I owe no one anything, and I advocate the right way. Today I have new songs, I'll get married in a minute, and I'd rather talk about it. "
How did you end up with all the heavy debts?
"I would buy what is needed and what is not needed, without making an account. There was simply no judgment. I would buy everything. I do not want to elaborate, because I am disgusted by it. In retrospect, I do not understand what I went through."
Could it be that you have been swept away by the cliche "Mediterranean singer"?
"Totally, you can say. I'll give you an example: Cars are one of my hobbies, and I really invested a lot of money into that. When you can apply, you apply. But in the aftermath, it turned out I couldn't always apply, and the fact that I got into trouble."
How are you doing financially today?
"Lessons learned. Everything I've been through has forged me. My priorities in life have changed, and I'm not running off the cuff. I know exactly what I'm putting in and taking out, everything is controlled and discretionary. I know exactly what the account situation is, something I didn't know before, and it led me to places. Not good. While I don't lose anything and save nothing, I work wisely. "
What was the low point financially?
"There is the moment you realize that you need to internalize a reality that you do not know. The moment you realize which situation you came from - and this is a difficult situation that cannot be digested. It is even harder than the moment you come to buy something - and you suddenly have no way."
Have you been at a grocery store level?
"There is no money for anything. I really fell. I didn't just go bankrupt, even though it was unnecessary between us, because with such a big enterprise called Moshik Afia you could reach an agreement and move forward. You didn't need all the mess, and things could be closed differently. These did me a lot more damage than the one million shekels I owed.
"The headlines had repercussions. I got fewer suggestions, some things were canceled, and generally people don't want collaborations with you because they are sure you are on the face. That's how the world works."
How was your mood all that time?
"Obviously there were times when I wouldn't sit around and tell jokes to myself, and I wasn't in the mood. I had to digest, internalize and get on my feet. Other people would go crazy for that.
"There were moments when I said, 'Leave me out of all this, I have no powers anymore.' But I quickly gathered myself and said, 'Dumb, how are you giving up?' It's not like I can change faces tomorrow and go out into the street. "
How do you lift all of this?
"With the help of family and friends, and most importantly, you are collecting yourself. I am a strong person who knows how to stand on my feet. Whoever does not open the door for me, I will enter through the window, and if not the window - then through the lock.
"When I heard, for example, about the Big Brother auditions, I knocked Yoram Zack on the door and said to him," Very nice, I'm launching my nose and coming to announce I'm coming in. I invited myself. They loved the audacity. I just loved myself. "
In the past you would not do such a thing.
"The ego is the number one enemy of man, and anyone who is smart enough to understand it will only gain. It was clear to me that I was in a better time, and I had to make a move.
"In my better times, anything that would have offered me would say 'no' first. I wouldn't even let the sentence finish. I was too arrogant and bouncy. Making decisions in the moment, without letting things sink in. Today I am more attentive, patient and think how many times Before I speak. "
With Roberto. "Comeback Specialist // Photo: Or Geffen
In one court hearing, in December 2017, you said, "Take me to jail and close the story." To me it sounded like complete despair then.
"This case is so funny but also shocked me, that I deliberately said the extreme sentence, to stir and shock the system, that someone would wake up. It's a case that is all ignorance."
Still, you're in front of the judge, a tough moment.
"It's hard in bread only, and I like bread in fact. I wipe the fish sauce with it. When things come easy - they also fly easily. After you go through some difficulty, you know how to appreciate more. In my life nothing went easy. The music She's my home ground, and I know the game. I'm not busy with the competition and the ratings. I want to make good music and reach the audience. "
By the way of competitions and rankings, what do you think of the phenomenon of Omar Adam?
"He's a bomb, and I freak him out all the way. He's a great singer who's acting professionally, and fun to watch it. Inhale one big. From the first second I heard it, I turned my head and said, this guy will come a long way."
***
In 2011, Afia married his then-wife, Natalie Jacobov, from whom he divorced after eight months. He has since been reported to be dating a couple, but now, he says, he is in his most serious relationship. In less than two months, he will walk to the canopy with his fiancee Dana (32), a physical education teacher. The wedding, which will probably be over, will be held in late March at an event hall in Shoham.
"Dana came into my life a year ago, turned on all the lighting in the world and directed it to me," he is excited. “Dana is a gift from God, everything a man seeks for himself.
"I saw her on Instagram and started with her. We talked on the phone and got into a five-hour conversation."
Wasn't she worried about the stigma of "singer of the genre"?
"Obviously she had concerns, with everything from the headlines and stories, but I'm not part of it. I'm not Blaine and not a drinker, no longer appearing in clubs and not coming back in the middle of the night. Today I appear at events for employee conferences and weddings, and soon I want to open box office as well. That Dana saw that I was a hometown guy, that worked. "
The age gap between you, 13 years, is noticeable?
"The gaps are not noticeable. We have nothing here. I am a young head, I have a sense of humor and I laugh at her murder."
What's wrong with others?
"Full of things. Her sensitivity and soul. She's my best friend. I call her an 'angel.' Not the 'new musk,' so what?
Are you planning a lavish wedding? Will it be an honorable guest to know about?
"The wedding will be very big. We want to rejoice big time and not save anything. At the moment we are not closing which singer will appear, but when closed I imagine you will find out."
erans@israelhayom.co.il