Star interview with Luk Piyes
Actor and Model Luk Piyes has everything a woman wants. In the interview he talks about his youth, his time after "Kanak Attack" - and why he is still single ...
Photo: Serhat Hayri
He could have become an idol like Elyas M'Barek: Back in 2000, with "Kanak Attack" as a shooting star, Luk preferred to work as a street worker again. Now he celebrates his comeback in the German cinema with the quirky-hearted comedy "Once Hans with spicy sauce" - and despite a supporting role, he immediately noticed us.
More stars wearing a beard like Luk Piyes can be found in the gallery!
JOY: You have a Turkish mother, but you were born and raised in Germany. Is there more Hans or rather the hot sauce in you?
Luk Piyes: First and foremost I am a young Kölsch: cheerful, warm and sociable. But even a blatant family man, that is perhaps my Turkish side.
Did you grow up in a big family?
Well, my neighborhood in Cologne was my family. That was about 60 people. Since my mother raised my two sisters and me alone, she was often out and about making money. So I had some foster mums from different nations.
Can you say you lived in a focal point then?
Yes, it was already a small working ghetto consisting of Turks, Russians, Greeks. Sure, there were also people who were violent and took drugs. But despite the different cultures, we held together, organized football matches against other quarters or met us together for a barbecue on the Rhine.
Speaking of barbecue: In the movie cooking plays a central role. Can you cook well?
Actually very good! At the age of 16 I voluntarily took the home economics course at school. Together with a lot of girls. That's where I learned everything - from chili con carne to Chinese to sushi. I got one for it and never had to go home hungry.
Which court would you use to charm a woman today?
The woman of today is very attentive to her figure. So I guess I should try to conquer her heart with a vegetable curry or a rocket salad with walnuts (laughs).
So you are currently single?
Yes, but on the hunt. I really want to start a family, have children with the woman I love.
In the movie you do not want to date Turkish women. What sets you apart from Germans?
My film-alter ego Ali is probably scared of the ten brothers (laughs).
And which type do you prefer privately?
Not the origin is important, but that she has the heart in the right place. Beauty has nothing to do with the exterior for me, but supermodels are more of a deterrent. I used to say that a woman should make me happy. Today I ask myself: Can I make her happy?
14 years ago, not only the women, but all of Germany lay at your feet: Through the main role in the surprise hit "Kanak Attack" you were celebrated overnight as a new theatrical star. What happened after that?
I've got tons of offers, but should just continue to play the Parade Turks. I did not feel like it. I've been working as a street worker since I was 16, organizing basketball games or theater groups for teenagers on the street. My motivation for making films was that I wanted to be a role model for my kids. The number as a posterboy and advertising star would have been just lying.
What have you focused on instead?
I continued to pursue my law studies and founded a social association with Gage. To this day, I regularly give seminars in Germany and Turkey against violence and drugs. In Turkey, where I also play in some TV series, I use my reputation so that the kids listen to me. When Beyoncé goes to an elementary school and explains: Clean your teeth every night - then it works! (Laughing).
Okay, let's say you are not superficial, you can cook and get involved socially. What is the catch?
It's probably my sport.
But that's no catch!
But, at least if you have already broken two wrists and five ribs during boxing!
That certainly did not go well with your modeling career ...
No, but that was not my thing anyway. I won the "Face of the Year" competition in 1995 and wanted to finance my studies with it. So I went to Milan. For Gianni Versace, who was still alive at the time, I should show off swimming trunks. When fitting, I asked for a dressing room and was immediately thrown out.
In spite of this bankruptcy, you also wanted to know Hollywood, lived in Los Angeles for five years, and visited the world-famous Lee Strasberg School. How did it go there?
I was actually cast for "X-Men." Out of 1, 000 applicants I came under the last two and had the chance to play the blue mutant. Unfortunately, the role went to Nicholas Hoult.
At the moment you live in Istanbul. Do you have an insider tip for us?
Absolutely go to the district Eminönö. At the Galata Bridge on the left there are fishing boats. There you get the best fresh fish of the city with a salad for not even € 1.50.
(Photos: Serhat HayrÄ ±)
