1. WHAT IS YOUR TITLE, AND WHAT DO YOU DO?
I am a print and television journalist who has written for, seemingly, every magazine on planet Earth: Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, Architectural Digest, New York, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle Décor, George, Good Housekeeping and Playboy to name a few.
My specialty is interviewing and I have talked with President Bill Clinton, Barbara Walters, Jack Nicholson, Jennifer Anniston, Will Smith, Nicole Kidman, Tom Cruise, Chris Matthews, John Travolta, Yasir Arafat, Elizabeth Taylor, First Lady Laura Bush and Linda Tripp among others.
As an on-air television correspondent, my interviews have been featured on ABC’s ‘PrimetimeLive’ and ‘20/20’, NBC’s ‘Today Show’ and CNN.
2. PLEASE DESCRIBE YOUR ROLE IN THE FAMILY, WIFE, MOTHER CARETAKER??
By my early forties, my entire immediate family – mother, father and brother, Pat, my only sibling -- had all died, leaving me to negotiate a hopefully long life without my three best friends.
Mama and I were joined at the hip, her unconditional love and encouragement -- “Dare to be different” she always advised -- imbuing in me the confidence to run the race, the courage to walk away when it no longer served me. Daddy’s DNA, meanwhile, showered gifts my way: intelligence, personality, an appreciation of the theatrical, wit. My brilliant, hilarious, adored brother was the first, and always, unabashed president of my fan club, and I his, this courageous Vietnam Bronze Star recipient…President Ronald Reagan’s Undersecretary of Energy at just 36 who would succumb to heart failure at 47. Learning to cope without them still remains my daily struggle.
As for marriage, I kind of forgot. Despite wonderful romances, it was never a goal, largely because, thanks to Mama, I never feared traversing life on my own. And, though I adore children, I was never obsessed with having them. Motherhood should be an emotional mandate – something that I never felt. And, happily, I have no regrets, which, I daresay, would have been the case, had I not followed my true creative heart and intellectual yearnings: exploring the human condition, engaging in the world, playing in the Zeitgeist.
3. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY?
Following collective rules has never been my strong suit. So as soon as I could, I abandoned corporate media life and hired myself – that is, I started a free lance journalism career which, much to my surprise and delight, I’ve managed to maintain for almost 30 years.
The great thing about being self-employed is that there is no such thing as a typical day…except, perhaps, when I’m on deadline for a story. On those frantic days -- make that nights since I write the brightest when the sun goes down -- I, typically, will procrastinate until, propelled by a healthy dose of fear and self loathing, I force myself to sit down in front of my computer. And once finally there… it’s show time in my head.
4. IN YOUR CAREER, WHAT GOALS DO YOU HAVE, AND WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO TAKE THIS PATH?
You might say that I am an actress on hiatus. A drama major in college, the first story that I ever wrote (in an elective journalism class), wound up getting published in a Boston newspaper. Quel thunderbolt! Suddenly, I realized that I could get paid to indulge in what I did for free: ask questions. Plus, you got a byline. I was hooked.
Reporting, writing and interviewing has taken me across the globe, allowing conversations -- on my own terms – with many of its most fascinating citizens. Though teacher and tormentor, my career has never been boring. And, now, my goal is to write about it all in a candid, truthful, shoot- from- the- hip memoir.
5. IF YOU COULD CHANGE THE WORLD IS WHERE I STARTED WITH THIS QUESTION BUT I PREFER TO SAY … WE CAN CHANGE THE WORLD AND KNOWING THAT WHAT DO YOU INTEND TO DO TO BE A PART OF THE CHANGE?
To me, change is a micro to macro mission…that is, change a person change the world. Once you finally lock down a little wisdom, pass it on to the person…younger woman…standing behind you. Give her a moment, ask a question, listen and hear what she says…offer advice if you have any…pay attention to who she is. It could be five minutes that she never forgets. Happened to me….
6. WHAT TYPE OF STYLE IS MOST COMFORTABLE FOR YOU, AND WORKS BEST FOR YOUR TYPE OF WORK?
I once wrote that: “Style is wit and elegance gone dancing” – which is basically me. I love glamour with an easy wink, a subtle touch of theatre if you will.
Black, of course, is the go anywhere, anytime, any place color…the perfect palette for a gorgeous hunk of jewelry, a colorful, wrap-it-seven-times-around-your-neck scarf and, for me, personally, a hat, a Borsalino -- black, gray, mustard, navy, coco – half Garbo, half Mafia. Love the look, love that I can shove my hair under it and blow out the door in five minutes. Some call it style, I call it convenience.
7. WHAT TYPE OF PARTNER IS NECESSARY FOR A WOMAN WHO BELIEVES SHE CAN DO IT ALL?
The man I need is smart, witty, curious, kind, sensual, patient, honorable and energetic… someone who wants to change the world, starting with mine, as I do his… in the most exquisitely tender, loving, compassionate, sensual, wildly entertaining way.
8. WHO IS YOUR MENTOR? DESCRIBE
I have been mentored by the very best -- and thank God everyday for it. Without these people, I would not be the woman I am – starting with my mother, Elsie, who taught me enough in our 35 years together to carry me through a lifetime without her.
Beyond Mama, my most profound mentors (and girlfriends) are each over 75. There is comedian and entrepreneur Joan Rivers, loyal, loving friend par excellence…Paige Rense, the wise former editor of Architectural Digest and, quite simply, my rock... Miss America 1951, vivacious Yolande Fox who proves that eccentric is hip…Liz Smith, writer, columnist, superb human being and ever my generous champion…and, always and forever, the late Helen Gurley Brown, brilliant editor of Cosmopolitan who one New York day picked me out of the maddening crowd, saying: “Pussycat, you’ve got the goods.” And I believed her.
9. HOW DO YOU MANAGE YOUR SELF ESTEEM WHEN IT IS CHALLENGED?
The best way to revitalize your own challenged sense of self is to help someone else recognize theirs. And a pint of Ciao Bella key lime ice cream doesn’t hurt either.
10. BEST ADVISE TO SHARE FROM YOUR OWN EXPERIENCE.
The only thing that you own in life is your personal story. Recognize, relish and revel in its singular originality. Mine began in Hamilton, Montana, the best thing that ever happened to me.
Moreover, as fashion icon, Diana Vreeland once told me: “In life, one has one’s crises, changes, circumstances and opportunities …but you must just go along. Bash On!! Don’t look left nor right and never compete. Never. Watching the other guy is what kills all forms of energy.”
