From Michael Kors to Wonder Woman, just have a ‘conversation’ when interviewing a celebrity
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From Michael Kors to Wonder Woman, just have a ‘conversation’ when interviewing a celebrity
Journalist Dave Osborn has had numerous opportunities to interview celebrities. Osborn: “It’s refreshing when someone is honest and isn’t afraid to open up about their past” Osborn says 99 percent of celebrities he’s interviewed are wonderful people. “Don’t treat a celebrity differently. Have a conversation about their career, their life, and formulate questions no one else has asked,” he says. “Who’s been your most surprising interview — someone who wasn’t what you expected? Michael Kors,” Osborn asks. “I’ve loved interviewing celebrities for years despite a couple bad apples who either were too obnoxious and didn’t take the interview seriously or canceled at the very last minute,” he adds. “It seems celebrities want to get their name and brand out there now more than ever”
A conversational, friendly approach can help celebrities relax and open up during interviews.
Honesty and openness from the celebrity contribute to a memorable interview.
Note to readers: In this edition of “What We Do” ― interviews with our journalists about their storytelling ― we touch base with Features editor Dave Osborn. Dave had had numerous opportunities to interview celebrities and noteworthy people through the years as a journalist.
Question: What’s your approach to preparing for a celebrity interview?
Answer: It’s important to learn as much as you can before an interview. I’ll watch YouTube videos, especially to hear the standup of comedians I don’t know as well. It’s also important to look for any current news stories about the person, in case he or she made news recently.
How do you break the ice or get a celebrity to open up?
My approach is simply to begin the conversation like I’m talking to an old friend. Celebrities will hopefully open up because they’re relaxed and may say something they haven’t revealed before. When I recently interviewed Heart’s Nancy Wilson, I shared the story with her public relations person, who replied: “Nancy loved your piece. She said, ‘Wow! There’s some quotable quotes in this one! Good writing too.’ ”
What makes a great celebrity interview stand out from the rest?
For me, it’s refreshing when someone is honest and isn’t afraid to open up about their past. Def Leppard’s front man Joe Elliott was a great example of that. Elliott was funny, polite and offered cool insight into his rock world like how he’ll sit down occasionally with U2’s frontman Bono to enjoy a pint (beer) in Dublin, Ireland, where both men live.
Who’s been your most surprising interview — someone who wasn’t what you expected?
You’d think designer Michael Kors would be stuffy but he wasn’t at all. We sat down on a couch at a Third Street South store 13 years ago and talked. He was incredibly generous with his time and provided insight into the world of fashion.
Do you have a favorite celebrity you’ve interviewed? What made it special?
When I was on a phone interview with childhood crush and ’70s super hero icon Lynda Carter, we were having a fun discussion. After a few minutes, she said her daughter in London was trying to reach her and asked to take the call. I told her, of course, talk to your daughter. Wonder Woman kept her promise and called back.
How has celebrity culture or access changed since you started?
It seems celebrities want to get their name and brand out there now more than ever. Many have social media to promote upcoming shows but it’s tough to beat our audience reach (Naples Daily News and The News-Press) as the No. 1 media outlet in Southwest Florida.
What do you love most — and least — about interviewing celebrities?
I’ve loved interviewing celebrities for years despite a couple bad apples who either were too obnoxious and didn’t take the interview seriously or canceled at the very last minute. About 99 percent of celebrities I’ve interviewed are wonderful people and I’ve enjoyed our conversations.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to get into celebrity journalism?
Don’t treat a celebrity differently. Have a conversation about their career, their life, and formulate questions no one else has asked. Who knows, you may get a scoop.