Yesterday, I finished one of the most difficult interview articles I've written yet.
Let me say, I've had the highly unexpected good fortune to interview celebrities who, almost 100% of the time, say things worth writing about. I can name only one interview that was tantamount to pulling teeth (she refused to give me anything authentic or interesting) and one that was utterly ridiculous (he was utterly ridiculous). Other than those two anomalies, I am repeatedly refreshed by a simple fact:
Celebrities are just very popular humans.
“I am repeatedly refreshed by a simple fact:
Celebrities are just very popular humans.”
The Moves Universe, this ever-expanding network of remarkable people who do amazing things, does feature a fair amount of stars. Even a supernova or two. And the occasional black hole (who shall remain nameless). More often than not, I'm forced to saw beautifully flowing quotes into parts, or to cut entire paragraphs of really interesting fodder, because those glossy, perfect-bound issues just can't take a 6-page interview. And what a wonderful dilemma to have.
The article I just wrapped was particularly challenging, because the insight and experience of this woman was remarkable. It flowed for 30 minutes of transcript and I was hard-pressed to scythe anything away.
And that's why I love this little side-gig. I get to ask celebrities about what really matters, about how they make a difference, about how the world needs to change. Many of them are associated with causes, but more than being a pretty poster child, they put their hearts and souls into it.
I remember catching my breath when Robin Wright's masterfully portrayed character in House of Cards, the cunning Claire Underwood, opened Season 3 talking to a fake Congress about the very real issues faced in the DRC. I felt like I was part of some inside club, because how many people know that Robin's passion for the Enough Project is invigorating? She's had boots on the ground in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and she is richly involved in the issues it faces—socioeconomic, cultural, commercial, and equity issues alike.
Not just a fairy tale princess, this one.
And Robin is just one example that comes to the top of mind. Susan Sarandon is a remarkable (and fun!) human being. Forest Whitaker sneaked off the set during the filming of The Last King of Scotland to visit a home for rescued child soldiers. Malin Ackerman worked on Nicholas Kristoff and Cheryl Wudunn's A Path Appears.
No, not every celebrity is a standard-bearing humanitarian, but you'd be surprised what these amazing people have up their sleeves.
So don't take them at face value. Ask the deeper questions, and you might be pleasantly surprised by what they come back with.
I know I am.