Greek actor Giorgos Konstantinou has defended singer Giannis Parios following online criticism over his recent concert performance in Larnaca, Cyprus.
Konstantinou condemned social media users who criticized the veteran performer's vocal abilities and age, stating that he would continue listening to Parios until the end of his life.
Speaking as a guest on the television program Studio stis 3 on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, Konstantinou expressed deep sadness over negative comments published on social media in recent days. He criticized individuals who sit and mindlessly write negative remarks without considering the career of an artist who has dedicated his entire life to music.
Konstantinou stated that he felt saddened reading comments questioning Parios's voice and asking why his vocal performance was no longer the same. He argued that critics fail to put themselves in the performer's position, writing without reflection about a musician whose life is sustained by public affection.
The actor rejected suggestions that Parios should abandon his craft, criticizing those who tell a veteran performer to step aside because they deem him no longer worthy of receiving public adoration. Konstantinou declared his love for the singer, stating that he would sit and listen to Parios until his final moments, even if he were bedridden, and expressed relief that many people came forward to stand up for the artist.
Social media backlash and public support
The controversy emerged after Giannis Parios completed a live concert in the coastal city of Larnaca, Cyprus. Following the event, video excerpts of his performance circulated across social media networks, prompting some users to leave critical comments regarding his vocal output and age.
The negative posts triggered strong reactions online, generating a widespread wave of public support for Parios across Greece and Cyprus. Fellow artists, fans, and long-time collaborators spoke out against the online criticism.
Kyriakos Tsolakis, who has worked alongside Parios as a collaborator for 33 years, launched a scathing response to the critics in a Facebook post on August 30, 2026. Tsolakis asked online commenters who they were to decide when Parios should stop performing, questioning what they had accomplished in their own lives to dismiss a career spanning several decades with such ease. He accused critics of sitting comfortably on their sofas while writing off a legend, adding that history would remember Parios whereas his critics would be forgotten.
Background and ongoing debate
Giannis Parios, born Ioannis Varthakouris, is a prominent Greek singer who has dominated Greek popular and romantic music, known as laiko and erotika, for over five decades. Giorgos Konstantinou is a veteran Greek actor with an extensive career across Greek theater, cinema, and television.
The debate surrounding the Cyprus concert also triggered secondary disputes within the Greek entertainment community. Author Kyriakos Charitos publicly accused singer Stelios Rokkos of copying his social media post written in defense of Parios on September 1, 2026.
