‘Dame Julie Andrews was everything you’d want her to be and a spoonful more’
Entertainment journalist Lisa Marks shares some of the stories from her years interviewing stars, which have inspired her memoir, Ryan is Ready For You Now
Journalist and now author Lisa Marks spent three decades in entertainment journalism, from her start on a local paper to heady A-list days in Hollywood interviewing all the big names. Here she shares her journey from the Southend Evening Echo to Los Angeles, and what she learned along the way.
How did you get into celebrity interviewing?
I’ve always loved showbiz, movies and Hollywood. I think my dad David had something to do with it as he was such a film buff he could even recite the names of the B-players in all the old movies. Before Sunday lunch, he’d make me and my brother name all of The Magnificent Seven. I’m not even kidding. I also loved pop culture and would devour Smash Hits and Just Seventeen, and all of my mum’s mags including Cosmo. I didn’t set out to become a celebrity interviewer when I joined a local paper aged 18, but looking back it was probably always going to happen.
Who was your first celebrity interview?
It was Donny Osmond at a record store in Southend, in 1988. I was told by my news editor they wanted a story and photo for the front page of that evening’s edition. I must have looked completely stumped so he said, ‘Ask him if he’s looking forward to seeing the pier.’ I did and the headline was something along the lines of ‘Donny Osmond’s excited to see Southend Pier.’ I’m not even sure Donny knew where he was and I only got to speak to him for a couple of minutes. I’d really like a follow up interview. I think it’s time.
Who was the most tricky?
Mr James Bond himself, Daniel Craig, was very guarded. But even then he was charming and polite. He just doesn’t like to give much away and I knew that ahead of the interview. The most awful was one actor, who I talk about in the book but don’t name, who I saw make another journalist cry. He was rude for absolutely no reason at all. It’s ruined an entire franchise for me and every time I now see his face on TV I switch off.
What are your top tips for relaxing an interviewee?
It’s essential that you make your interviewee feel at ease. This goes for the couple featured in the local paper who are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, to the actor who’s just won an Oscar. I don’t like to ambush people. I’m there for a good experience and I hope the person I’m interviewing is too. Part of this is the energy you bring with you into the room. I believe in this so strongly that there’s an entire chapter dedicated to the first 90 seconds of an interview. And it’s vital that you do your research. It’s your not-so-secret weapon. A well-researched interview truly is the key to the kingdom. It’s always appreciated.
Is it hard to do your job when there is an entourage, eg if a PR “sits in”?
I’m pretty good at blocking them out. I’m usually more concerned with the ticking clock. You get used to crowds. I once found an assistant working on her laptop in the en suite bathroom when I went to use the loo after an interview. Sometimes it works to your advantage. I remember interviewing Courteney Cox at a hotel in Beverly Hills and just before I met her was told my time had been cut from 30 minutes to ten. Courteney could see I was worried and said I should speak to her manager, who then seemed to fall out of a cupboard. In reality I think she appeared from the adjoining room and was happy to arrange more time. Courteney ended up calling me a couple of days later so that worked out well. The best though are the people who turn up without an entourage such as Steve Carell or Ashley Jensen, who I interviewed for The Scotsman Magazine. We had a lovely lunch at a sushi restaurant in Hollywood and chatted for hours longer than the allotted time.
What’s the craziest thing that ever happened on a job?
Model Miranda Kerr breastfed her baby mid interview (although that was less crazy and more of a first). Matthew Mcconaughey paced the room the entire time, which was exhausting to watch but very on brand. I tripped up and fell into Betty White’s trailer managing to spill the entire contents of my bag across the floor. I then walked into a table, dropped my tape recorder and spilled a glass of water. In my defence I was horribly jetlagged. She’s an absolute legend and offered me a cocktail.
Who was your favourite (apart from Ryan Gosling)?
Dame Julie Andrews is up there as she was everything you’d want her to be and a spoonful more. Hugh Jackman was just a delight. I’m a musical theatre fan and he’s also a stage legend and didn’t seem to mind that I walked into his suite at the Four Seasons Beverly Hills, singing the lyrics to Sunset Boulevard at full volume. We ended up having a really great chat and I appreciated his candour, grace and sense of humour.
Who has the most star power from anyone you have met?
I was at a screening once at the Director’s Guild of America in Hollywood, ahead of the launch of a mini-series called The Kennedys. Katie Holmes was listed to attend as she was in the cast but she turned up unexpectedly with her then
Social media has given celebrity a more intimate voice which is great but I’m sure it also gives their publicists sleepless nights
husband Tom Cruise. The energy in the room completely changed. This was a room full of hardened industry professionals not young fans but it was clear they were all thrilled. It was electric.
Who was your favourite cover story for The Scotsman Magazine?
Obviously Ashley is up there, as is Kevin Mckidd, who as I recall first phoned me while I was in a department store. I interviewed Adrien Brody at the end of a long press day wearing new shoes. By the time I walked into his suite at the Casa del Mar hotel in Santa Monica, my feet were killing me to the point of distraction. In an interview first I asked him if I could take my shoes off. He laughed, said yes and added: “I think I’ll do the same”, which is why we both found ourselves curled up on opposite ends of the sofa. I was barefoot and he was in his socks. Cue lovely, relaxed chat.
What has changed since you began covering the celeb beat/since you began working in journalism 30 years ago?
I used a manual typewriter for the first three months on the Evening Echo and now I can see what Jennifer Aniston is doing at any time of day using my smartphone. Social media has given celebrity a more intimate voice which is great but I’m sure it also gives their publicists sleepless nights. There are also Tik Tok, Instagram and Youtube stars with millions of followers, and that’s an entirely new version of celebrity that the older generation doesn’t get. To find something new in a celebrity interview you have to work harder. But that’s OK. Just don’t do it in new shoes...
● Ryan is Ready For You Now… An insider’s guide to interviewing a celebrity – from a journalist who was in the room by Lisa Marks is now available to buy on Amazon at £13.99. Follow her on Twitter @ lisamarks