Life lessons with Gok Wan
Stylist, DJ, presenter, painter and cook, Gok Wan (42) talks to Yours about his ambitions in life and how his parents taught him the value of hard work
hard work is good
Family helps define who you are. My parents, John and Myra, worked very hard – seven days a week – in their restaurant. And that work ethic has been instilled in me, my brother Kwoklyn and sister Oilen. We’re all workaholics. We worked as waiters from a young age and it made us brilliant communicators. We can talk to anyone about anything. That’s where the performer in me came from.
Laugh a lot
The three words that best describe me are caring, fun and cheeky. Life’s too short, so I love to have laughter in everything I do. As kids, my sister was the clever one engrossed in her studies, my brother was very quiet and I was the opposite; I wanted to be loud and dramatic. Those roles haven’t changed – I’m always going to be in trouble!
try new things…
… that’s what fuels my love for life. I set myself a goal every year and learning magic was my goal a couple of years ago. I got myself a magic teacher and now, I’m trying to get into The Magic Circle and I’m going to do it as well! I want to have helicopter flying lessons and I’d love to build a house in the country to my design. I paint contemporary abstracts, but I’ve never done a proper exhibition. That’s something I’ve been working on, too.
Friendships are precious
I’m anti the phrase ‘Friends are the family you choose…’ because it’s anti-family and my family are wonderful. My friends fulfil a different void which is companionship and advice. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without them. I have friends over on a Sunday and I cook – a time I can decompress. What’s great is all my friends become friends with each other. I’m the link between them and everyone’s formed their own friendships within that.
i hate the word celebrity
I’ve never considered myself a celebrity. My fame happened quickly, but it wasn’t like all of a sudden I was photographed everywhere and became a Kim Kardashian equivalent. Fame’s a bit like having penicillin. There can be benefits, but too much can poison you. I’ve enjoyed using my platform – I hate the word fame or celebrity – to help people who need it.
music makes me happy
Some pieces have a meditative effect on me. It’s my way of switching off. I have very eclectic taste; I love vocal house, musical theatre, opera and classical. I’ve never been into pop music. If you asked me about the charts, I’d struggle. I never felt posh enough to go to the opera, but I love it. With my CD, Gok’s Divas, I wanted to build bridges for people who felt like me, who loved the music, but felt they needed permission to listen to it. Opera’s for everybody.