Three Cs of celebrity interviewing

So for a while now, I've had the opportunity to interview some people who are in the spotlight. Now these folks range from music artists to sports folks and actors and what not. I've never fancied myself a journalist or even a celeb blogger. I just like talking to people. Oh...and I don't post pictures with me and celebrities...I get why people do it...but I just keep the pics for my own photo albums.

PJ

I guess I am fascinated by talented people who find themselves in the public sphere. Like...what takes someone from the best alto in church to "sanging" on CDs and doing shows all over the place? I find it interesting.

Then, I always wonder what these folks are really like...as just regular people. I can't say I've been star struck yet. I have been tickled and couldn't stop laughing during an interview though...lol...that happened most recently when I interviewed singer, Eric Roberson.

Eric

We were talking about how I was introduced to his music through an ex-boyfriend who gave me his CD when we were breaking up. I started laughing and kept laughing throughout the whole interview...which was kinda embarrassing...but I couldn't help it.

Honestly...I never had a desire to interview celebrities in anyway. It seriously just happened. I think the first celebrity interview I did was Chilli  from TLC, at the suggestion of one of my blogger pals. It was a phone interview and she was cool, although I did ask her some intrusive questions that caught her off guard.

I quite honestly never thought about interviewing anyone in particular...besides witnesses for court (ha!) and guys for this blog. That's pretty much it. Even some of the guys I've interviewed have been famous or somewhat famous...like NFL and MLS players...or radio personalities. But I've never actually been super geeked about interviewing athletes or whatever because I've pretty much always been around them.

Former NFL Player

Current NFL Player

When I do get the opportunity to talk to these busy folks, I tend to talk to them like regular people. I did not go to school for journalism, so I don't know the rules or regulations to this thing. Everything has been on the job training, so to speak. I've had to learn scheduling, coordinating, maintaining contacts, keeping deadlines, having proper equipment and all kinds of stuff that was never really on my agenda.

Actor/Dear Friend

Actor

Three Cs of celebrity interviewing

Contacts

Building contacts is important. Having connections to these contacts is also important. People don't just talk to you just because. Yes, a lot of celebs want publicity and promotions and all of that, but they want it in certain ways. So it is important to build genuine relationships with people who want you to promote their clients or what not. You also have to come with something...bring something relevant to the table.

I've been writing a relationship styled column for five years this August for a very popular website. There are editors and people in charge there who have access to  publicists and what not...but they don't reach out to reps for me. I  have to reach out myself as a freelancer, and they will back me up if I have a hard time.

I've also been blessed to have radio contacts that I made through working in the community. These folks have been really great to me...and I try to be great back. I appreciate people who do things for you that they don't have to do.

Coordination

Interviewing folks takes a lot of coordination. There has to be time in their schedules and mine (I have like 50  million jobs). Everyone has to be on the same page...that includes PR reps, promoters, managers and road managers. And getting the right location for the interview is important. Sometimes you end up at places where it's too loud or too crowded. Or your equipment may fail, so you always need a backup.

Shoot...recently, I had to interview Algebra Blessett in a very odd...but acoustically friendly place! HA...If I told you where...you'd crack up laughing...

Algebra

I had an opportunity to interview this band once...and everything was set up through the manager, PR rep, and road manager...a time and place was selected. I showed up with my homegirl/colleague/photographer for the interview, and the band never did.

It was irritating, but the interview was a last minute request on my part. I hardly ever keep up that much with the goings on in my city, so my homegirl/colleague/photographer usually has to tell me about who's coming to town. LOL Hopefully I will be able to talk to that band the next time they're here. It wasn't really anyone's fault in particular...things happen.

Communication 

Look...you have to know how to talk to people. I hardly ever have pre-written questions because I like having conversations. Plus writing stuff down throws me off at times. I have some bullet points in my head that I want to address...and luckily I have a great memory...for now LMBO

I have stumbled once or twice...because I forgot the name of something that I wanted to bring up. But the interviewee usually jumps in to help me out. LOL.  I do think having prepared questions that you stick to just takes away from the naturalness of the conversation. You don't want to be stiff and look weird when all you're doing is talking to another person. I mean...they are just people.

Tamia

You also have to be respectful. I'm not a shock interviewer or anything like that...and trust me...I treat people the way I want to be treated. I remember interviewing Tamia and she was obviously tired. She was extremely gracious and I'm sure doing an interview was the last thing she wanted to do after her show, but she did it anyway. I pulled that interview in about five or so minutes and got a lot out of it.

After all of that

You have to complete the task of editing, uploading, publishing and  then sending what you've finished to the reps and what not. It's a lot of work, but it's fun too. I have yet to have an awkward interview...and I've liked pretty much everyone I've interviewed. I swear Algebra Blessett is a new friend in my head because she's just a cool chick who has a personality that vibes with mine.

If you have questions about celebrity interviewing feel free to hit my email inbox! :)


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