Artist Spotlight
Exclusive Interview With Gaël Zaks French-American Actor Director

Gaël Zaks was born in June 29th, 1985 and is a French-American actor and director. He studies at the prestigious “Lee Strasberg Theater Institute” in New York. He starts his movie career in “Celebrity” by Woody Allen, “Sins of Fate” by Sal Anthony then “Stepmom” by Chris Colombus, etc.
He also shoots for television and plays at the theater. He moves to France and shoots television series such as “Largo Winch”, “Profiling Paris”, “Playground” etc. He’s been playing the character of “Ben” in the french hit comedy serie “Scènes de ménages” since 2016. In films, he shoots “Paris la Métisse” by Karim Bensalah, “Journal IV” by Matthieu Gérauld etc.
In 2018 he is the character of “Stephen Boyd” in “Mrs. Mills” by and with Sophie Marceau. As a director, his first film “Une douce jeunesse” (Sweet one youth) is awarded abroad and chosen as one the French film of the year. His second film, shot in English and produced in the UK “In the Daze of things” is many time awarded in numerous festivals around the globe.
We had the opportunity to have an exclusive interview with Gael Zaks.
QUESTIONS:
1. Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?
Gael Zaks: I grew up without TV at home. It was my parents’s choice. So I would walk to my grandma’s apartment to watch it. One day an old film was playing…’In the heat of the night’. I couldn’t get my eyes off the lead character, the emotions he was gathering and his charisma…Mr Sidney Poitier. Something got enlightened in me and I decided I wanted to do like him! Be an actor!
2. Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started this career?
Gael Zaks: I was still in Theatre school in New York at Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute.
One day I walk into a Staples store with my résumé. I was waiting on line. The guy right behind me was holding a script. I got my the copies of my résumé done, I was about to walk out but something in me me was pushing me into going to talk to that guy! I was shaking inside.
He explained to me that he was a director, that was his script, that they were starting to shoot in 10 days but the casting was done. I asked him if he didn’t mind taking me résumé for we never know, and other time. A week later I got a phone call from a production with sides to learn.
When the production doors opened he was standing there: Mr Sal Anthony! I auditioned. And right after He told me I got the part! That’s how I shot the film ‘Sins of fate’.
3. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
Gael Zaks: Ah ah this one is a biiiiiig oneJ!!!
My agent had gotten me a 45 min interview face to face to the amazing British director ‘Roland Joffé’. I get there and right away the casting director briefs me. He tells me it’s a period piece so I had to pick up a British accent!
Inside I was panicking, I knew I was incapable of picking up a proper British accent plus I though Roland Joffé was American not British. So 5 min before entering the room, I went in a corner to rehearse to myself trying to put on a very very bad British accent.
I walked in the room, I sat. I started talking with that miserable accent I had picked. Roland Joffé started looking at me in a very strange way. He started talking and there I heard he was not American but British!! I thought I was gonna die.
He asked me very nicely where I was from and in between my teeth I whispered…New York. He just told me ‘You have a very strange accent for a New Yorker!! Ah Ah. The interview lasted 5 min instead of 45!! I hated myself for months but I learned one great lesson: Always be YOURSELF!!
4. What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?
Gael Zaks: In June 2021 I’m starting to shoot the lead role of Elon, who’s got a bi-polar syndrome in an International thriller called ‘Roads of fear’ directed by Emmanuel Saez. In the middle of the shooting they’ll shave my head and half my face will be tattooed (Fake ones of courseJ). The script is not only about action it is psychologically brilliant! I can’t wait!
5. Who are some of the most interesting people you have interacted with? What was that like? Do you have any stories?
Gael Zaks: When I was a student in Lee Strasberg I had a small job on the side. Being half French by my mother and speaking the language helped to get a receptionist job on the upper east side in New York at the French Alliance. One day Kevin Kline walked in and went up the stairs. I couldn’t believe it!!
I was not supposed to leave my desk for any reason! I waited for him to walk down, it took 2 hours. When I saw him, I left my desk and want up to him right away! I told him I was a young actor still in school and I would love to get advice from me. He just smiled at me and said’ Are you here Thursday at 2pm? I said yes. He told me ‘I’ll see you there then.
Of course, that Thursday at 2 pm I was there behind my desk my heart beating super-fast. I thought he’d never showed…But he did and on time.
He just told me ‘Like go for a walk to talk’. I left my desk right away not caring a bit if I was gonna get fired or not. (I actually didn’t) We walked and talked on the street for 45 min!! He was kind, gave me great advices such as: Be yourself no matter what and never give up! I never saw him again but I still thank him!!
6. Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?
Gael Zaks: The pleasure!!! It’s a hard job and an even harder industry. You’ll need a lot of times to go beyond your limits to get things or not get them. But during each step of the way remind yourself what brought you here: The pleasure! The passion and the desire to give to the world. These are endless fuel in your journey.
7. You have been blessed with success in a career path that can be challenging. Do you have any words of advice for others who may want to embark on this career path, but seem daunted by the prospect of failure?
Gael Zaks: Failure is part of the game and I would even say is necessary! Because to walk this journey you need to be strong capable to welcome success like failure, learn from it and go ahead!!
8. Can you share with our readers any self care routines, practices or treatments that you do to help your body, mind or heart to thrive? Kindly share a story or an example for each.
Gael Zaks: The instrument of a violinist is his violin. An actor? …His body, mind and soul. So my routine is that I don’t always have the date of my net job so like a violinist I prepare myself everyday as if it could be the next day. I work out to have a fit body 5 times a week, I feed my body and my brain with healthy food and very important I stay away from toxic people who might drag me down because my positive energy is for me and my job. Any routine that brings you joy and self-discipline, use it!!!
9. What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why? (Please share a story or example for each).
Gael Zaks: No one told me I would need these important tools so I’ll tell you:
Self-discipline, constancy in your efforts, never ever listen to people who want to discourage you (And you’ll find a lot of them along the way), always trust your instinct, Never ever lose one inch of your dreams!!!!
They are sacred!! And go get them!! A short story about that. Years ago, Quentin Tarantino was in town shooting 5 blocks from my home. I told my friends I was gonna go and get an interview with him by myself! Everyone (my own friends) made fun of me or simply called me crazy!! 3 hours later, I had passed all the security on set, the bodyguards, the 1st and the army of assistants and I had an official face to face meeting with Mr Tarantino!! Always believe in yourself!
10. Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
Gael Zaks: My ‘’Life lesson quote’’ comes from Nelson Mandela. For 30 years, that great man in his tiny cell repeated to himself the words of a British poet…’I’m the captain of my Soul, I’m the Master of my Destiny’’. That quote participated to changing my life in a positive way majorly.
11. None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
Gael Zaks: The story is definitely the one I mentioned earlier with Kevin Kline. It was like the strength of a positive earthquake that helped me for years! Otherwise I would definitely name my mother and my step-dad. We didn’t have a lot of money growing up and they gave the greatest gift: They told me I was capable to achieve all my dreams and they’re still by my side today!! I’ll never thank them enough!!
12. You are a person of enormous influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
Gael Zaks: Definitely the defense of women! In our civilized societies, it is unthinkable that women are still not treated equal as men! Unthinkable that they earn less money for the same job and over the top, tired after a day of work have to deal with constant harassment on the streets or even worse!!
13. We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might see this. 🙂
Gael Zaks: Wow!! There are so many super talented people I would love to have lunch with…But the first one who comes in my mind and my guts is Mr. Steven Spielberg!! For the man he is, for that tremendous respect he seems to have for dreams!!
14. How can our readers follow you online?
Gael Zaks: They can follow me on:
Instagram: @gaelzaks_acteur
website: www.gaelzaks.com
Artist Spotlight
Honk Magazine’s Artist of the Week Spotlight on Rising Talent

At Honk Magazine, we take pride in finding and backing the next wave of the hottest artists that will shape the music industry. Our Artist of the Week spotlight is on five artists with one-of-a-kind sounds, lives, and grinds that set them apart in the music world. From emotional rap to genre-defying Afro-fusion and gritty indie rock, the following songs are a vibrant reflection of the future of music.
Tuknight – “Campagne”
Starting off our feature is a Canadian Rapper based out of Sarnia, Ontario, Tuknight. Spelled “tuknight,” the name is great for boys with a deeper, human story. He started making music at 14, taking to it as an outlet for coping with the pain of losing his older brother to an overdose. That visceral feeling he translates into his music, and it really shines through in his most recent song, “Campagne,” a stripped-back and reflective number that delves into the heart of affliction and adversity.
Performing live for his second year, Tuknight shows no sign of slowing down. He’s opened for big names such as Roney, Mar Mar Oso, MLNY, and Kryple, slowly but surely carving out a spot for himself in Canada’s underground rap landscape. His centered energy and earnest lyrics establish him as one of the genre’s most promising new voices.
M For The Movement – “I’m Alive”
Up next is an enlightening act, M For The Movement, a deep-thinking emerging artist with old-school influences and too much fire. Their recent single I’m Alive is a sonorous cry of resilience, of being and of being present. With this album, M’s been waiting for the come-up, with collaborations with Juno award-winning Choclair and the iconic Snoop Dogg being teased.
M For The Movement has already commanded opening duty for some of music’s big names, including Sean Paul, Sean Kingston, and Nelly. By no means do they fit into that small talk; it’s big league stuff. A veteran in Performance, M is crafting a legacy rooted in Art and Activism with lyrical storytelling that captures both personal evolution and cultural momentum.
Huss Nem – “Lemme Tune In”
Raw energy, street-wise wisdom & versatility are what you can expect from Chicago’s own Huss Nem. The music industry is not new to Huss, who has been writing songs for over a decade. And on his latest offering, Lemme Tune In, one can see that KOK’s grimy delivery and larger-than-life stage presence prove that the street rap purveyor has street rap in his blood.
Aside from music, Huss Nem is a seasoned actor with a couple of movies, ” Chi-town Down for Life and 8 Dayz: Part 2.” He is also shooting for his second season of Decatur, Where It’s Greater, to show his multitalented side. A real hustler, he manages two streetwear brands, Rip Clown and Chitalo, bringing that entrepreneurial swagger to his impressive resume. Huss Nem is building a cultural empire.
Drela – EP “RAIN”
Up-and-coming Afro-Fusion talent Drela is changing the concept of what it means to be genre-fluid. With a new “RAIN” EP this May, Drela combines smooth vocals, AfroBeats, alternative R&B, and pop for a heady concoction. Her songs are incredibly personal, grounded in self-examination, change, and emotional pain.
Drela has cultivated a dedicated following with its live shows and frequent single drops on topics ranging from love to perseverance. She’s bridged the gap between sonic identities and still been true to herself in one of the toughest meccas of hip-hop. RAIN is shaping up to be a refreshingly different project that takes risks and pushes the art while helping to transcend its listeners.
Inland Years – Album “Keep Your Eyes On The Road”
Lo-fi indie rock fans will want to remember the name Inland Years. About Inland Years is the solo project of Brooklyn’s Ryan Daniels, who crafts warm, nostalgic tunes strung with tape warble and fuzzed-out emotion. Titled after the recently released album “Keep Your Eyes On The Road,” Elements breathe is a reflective voyage through pensive songwriting and analogue tones.
And, influenced by Lou Barlow and the ’90s four-track phenomenon, Inland Years has earned praise in underground circles. WFMU spins, playlist love, yay-di-over from DIY tastemakers. The music is close. It hums softly, imperfectly in just the right way, dripping with the simple honesty from which great music arises. Daniels’ method for making music seems like a love letter to anyone chasing clarity through chaos.
The music industry is changing, and guys like Tuknight, M For The Movement, Huss Nem, Drela, and Inland Years are the living proof that they are in good hands. Be it raw lyricism or experimental sonics or, in one case, an impressive lifestyle grind, there’s something all four artists this week share: they’re all a little different, but more importantly, they’re all themselves. We’re looking forward to following their progress and invite you to do so. Met someone on this list that you’re vibing with?
Let me know in the comments if you think someone else deserves to appear on the crown this week! 👑👇
Artist Spotlight
Marnix Emanuel drops a heartfelt anthemic ballad with his recent single, “You Got Me Hurt”

Marnix Emanuel infuses emotion into every note in his newest single, “You Got Me Hurt.” This beautifully crafted soulful pop ballad captures the lingering pain of losing a love that seemed irreplaceable, destined to last forever. Right from the first note, Marnix reels audiences into his world with a unique voice that’s equal parts raw silk and aching steel. He exudes a genuine vulnerability paired with a confident stage presence that only a truly seasoned artist can deliver.
What’s striking about this track is how effortlessly it balances heartbreak with resilience. The song doesn’t merely wallow in sorrow; it channels that bittersweet emotion into something intimately powerful, pulsing with the quiet strength and endurance, a timeless anthem that feels personal and universally relatable. “You Got Me Hurt” hits home in all the right places with its poignant lyrics and soaring melodies.
Marnix’s talents shine through as a vocalist, songwriter, and producer. Every element of the song’s production feels intentional, from the heartfelt lyrics to the lush, timeless pop instrumentation. The chorus has a warmth that touches modern and nostalgic, showcasing why the melody resonates so deeply. It features an undeniable rhythmic hook that echoes long after the tears have dried, inviting listeners to experience it repeatedly.
Coming out of the Netherlands as an emerging independent artist and singer-songwriter, Marnix Emanuel continues to build on a promising career with a strong foundation. “You Got Me Hurt” is a bold sonic statement affirming that his music is here to stay. For anyone who has ever experienced heartbreak and is seeking to navigate the complexities of love lost and desire to rebuild after love falls apart, this single offers genuine emotional gravity. It perfectly represents heartbreak done right: soulful, innovative, and utterly human. As he looks toward new releases in 2025, this single sets the tone: honest, compelling, and impossible to ignore.
For more information about Marnix Emanuel, please visit [website].
CLICK HERE TO STREAM Marnix Emanuel’s “You Got Me Hurt“ on Spotify.
CONNECT WITH Marnix Emanuel | Instagram | Facebook |
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