Stefanos Papadopoulos spoke openly about the difficult period he is going through after the lawsuit he filed against Giorgos Mazonakis, revealing that it crossed his mind to withdraw it. The young singer referred to the reactions he received from the public, but also to the difficulty of enduring the public criticism, emphasizing that despite the pain, he feels that he did the right thing.
Stefanos Papadopoulos made new statements on the show "Buongiorno", where he confessed that it had crossed his mind to withdraw the lawsuit he had filed against him last December. George MazonakisThe 23-year-old singer had accused the well-known artist of immoral proposals and psychological pressure during their professional collaboration.
He described how the emotional toll that followed the case's publication made him seriously consider dropping the lawsuit. He said that the social pressure and negative comments from the public acted as a "wall" that he had to overcome. "I'm trying to get back on my feet. I'm not good every day, but I feel like I did the right thing. I want to be able to look at myself in the mirror and say, 'You're okay with your conscience,'" he said.
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He admitted, however, that the negativity he faced broke him. “When you talk about an experience and people judge you so harshly, it’s understandable that you feel hurt. People often jump to conclusions without knowing the background. I don’t have the fame or the discography of George Mazonakis, and that makes many people doubt me.”
Stefanos Papadopoulos also revealed that after his complaint, many people approached him on social media to confess similar experiences they had in the music and nightlife industry. Among them, he said, were conductors, managers, businessmen and other artists who hesitate to speak publicly. “I was approached by people who told me their own story. The saddest thing is that they don’t dare to speak, not because they don’t have anything to say, but because they are afraid of the same treatment that I had.”
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The singer stressed that although the days that followed were emotionally draining, his decision to press charges was based on his need for justice and self-respect. “I didn’t want to hide behind fear. I wanted to stand up to what happened and say ‘this is it.’ I knew there would be backlash, but I preferred to speak my truth rather than remain silent.”
At the same time, Stefanos Papadopoulos stated that he is ready to face any legal action taken against him. “If Giorgos Mazonakis sues me, then we can discuss it again. I have no problem standing up to him and defending what I said.”
His stance shows that, despite the difficulty of his position, he does not intend to back down from his position.
Read also: Giorgos Mazonakis: The 22-year-old's lawsuit, the details of the complaint and the singer's response
He also emphasized on the show that this experience made him realize how vulnerable young artists are trying to find their way in the music industry. “There’s fear, there’s an imbalance of power. When you’re at the beginning, you feel like if you speak up, your career could end before it even starts. And that’s the most unfair thing.”
Describing how his perspective on life and work has changed, he said he now tries to move forward with a clear conscience and focus on the people who support him. “It’s heartwarming to get messages from people saying, ‘You gave us courage.’ That keeps me going. Maybe this whole story isn’t just pain, but an opportunity to talk more openly about what’s going on behind the scenes.”
As for the thought of withdrawing the lawsuit, he explains that it was a moment of weakness in a charged environment. “It’s human to bend. I thought about it, but in the end I said no. If I back down, then what example am I setting for those who are going through something similar?”
At present, the case is still ongoing. Stefanos Papadopoulos states that he is determined to remain strong and continue to defend himself, regardless of the consequences that this stance may have on his public image.
“Music is my life, but above all it is my dignity,” he said characteristically. “And I don’t negotiate that.”
