Don't know where to start, really. We all get affected by celebrity deaths, some more than others depending on how much they touch our lives. Just found out that Jackie Collins lost a battle with breast cancer and passed away today and this one's hitting a little hard.
In 2011, a friend asked if I would be interested in interviewing Jackie Collins, not at all expecting such an emphatic yes from me (thank you so much, Abs). Mind you, I'd never actually interviewed someone for a blogging gig before, let alone someone I adored and of whom I was a fan so I was nervous AF when I met her and rambled on like a lunatic for a while till I managed to calm down.
It was the best day and I was so so so chuffed I got to meet her, chat with her and tell her how much I loved her. She was so warm, welcoming, friendly, and even more beautiful and radiant in person. I had no idea that, at that time, she had already been diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer and according to this People article, she'd kept that a complete secret. Class, all around.
I had downloaded her latest Santangelo book when it came out a couple of months ago and hadn't had the time to sit and read it, so tonight's as good a time as any. Hell, I may have to revisit the entire series. But, here's the interview I did with her for HerNashville.com back in 2011 that was titled 5 Things with Jackie Collins or something like that. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did doing it.
Before Candace Bushnell, before Sophie Kinsella, there was Jackie Collins. Correction, there IS Jackie Collins who, at the age of 73 is still writing books about strong, powerful women. Her latest, Goddess of Vengeance is the new installment in her popular Lucky Santangelo series which you can purchase here.
When I was 13, I remember sneaking a read of all my mother's Jackie Collins books when she wasn't home, being very careful to leave her bookmark exactly where it was so she wouldn't know! I became a huge fan of [the character] Lucky Santangelo, watching the miniseries when it was broadcast on the telly and falling in love with all the characters.
Ms. Collins was in town recently to promote Goddess of Vengeance and to say I was crazy excited to meet her is a serious understatement.
About doing more miniseries' on her books:
I hope so, I'm kind of in negotiations at the moment and it's called "Development hell." You get to a certain stage with a studio and they're all set but then something happens and it falls through, so it's so frustrating I mean I have so many meetings about doing a series with Lucky so hopefully it'll come off soon.
On Reality Shows like 16 & Pregnant/ Teen Mom
16 and Pregnant is the most ridiculous show on tv because it's encouraging girls to get pregnant so they can be on tv and that is absolutely crazy and they're on the cover of people magazine and they're in stories in the Enquirer and you're like, get a life! You don't want to tell girls that you're going to make money being pregnant! It's like telling them you're going to have a career if you're going to have a sex tape.
Any Plans for Books On Reality Stars?
I've been thinking about it because I think it'll be really interesting to get into their psyches and why they do it and why people want to be on television when they're just normal people. And what happens to defunct reality stars - what's going to happen to the three housewives of New York that have just been kicked off? So I think it'd be an interesting book to write.
Any Guilty Pleasures?
Milk chocolate and TiVo! Just give me 24 hours with nothing but milk chocolate and TiVo so I can watch all my favorite programs and I'm a happy camper.
Words of Wisdom For Us Girls
Girls CAN do anything. Remember in life that the pleasure you give is the pleasure you get back - tell your boyfriend that!
I just think women need to be more confident, more positive and more sure of themselves and not sit around waiting for some guy to come long and say "I'm going to marry you" and you go "oh that's wonderful" and then 10 years later he's slaving over a hot secretary so you have to just have that confidence in yourself to step forward.
Thank you so much Jackie, it was fantastic to meet you! Thank you also to LaForce Stevens for giving us a chance to interview Ms. Collins.
We'll miss you, Jackie. R.I.P.