Interview with Alyssa Patterson
Fifteen minutes after our scheduled meeting time, Alyssa Patterson hurried into the cozy corner of the LA coffee shop where I was waiting for her. Although it was raining outside, she looked stunning as ever wearing a red vintage raincoat and Fendi rainboots. We talked for a little over an hour, time in which she managed to tell me absolutely nothing. It seems that there is a lot to learn about her mysterious life beyond the tabloids and rumors.
So, tell me about your new book, Muse. It’s gotten very mixed reviews. Do you have any idea why?
A: Probably because it isn’t very good. (laughing). It’s a story that most people don’t want to read. I was being completely honest when I wrote it, sometimes so much that it was painful. I think it makes people uncomfortable sometimes to read about what they know is true but that they wish wasn’t. Especially regarding relationships.
The book was published as fiction, but there are rumors that it’s actually autobiographical. Is that true?
A: I already told you, I was being completely honest. That’s all I’m allowed to say.
You seem very guarded.
A: Well, I have to be. When something as personal as Muse is available for anyone to read, the little that’s left out has to be kept.
What exactly do you mean by kept?
A: I mean kept for myself, because I’ve given the rest away.
Moving on to your personal life, is it true you’re dating Hugh Jackman?
A: (Laughs). No, definitely not. Hugh’s a good friend of mine and he’s been helpful in the editing process. He’s very supportive.
Supportive of?
A: What kind of question is that? He’s supportive of my writing career. It’s very useful to have such a big celebrity helping to publicize.
Ever since your affair with Prince Harry, you’ve become quite the celebrity yourself. Was that not enough publicity?
A: Well no, apparently not because my book hardly sold when that all happened. Guess I’ll have to try harder next time.
Is it true that you wrote about your sexual encounters with the young prince in your book?
A: Did you not read it? Aren’t you supposed to read it before you interview me?
Continued on Page 76.
I found this to be more of a commentary on the public media and their narrow views on art and fascination with scandals instead of anything about you, and I like it.
ReplyDeleteYou've managed to put yourself in the piece without making yourself the narrator (of which I am a huge fan) and sort of sprinkled bits of truth (or so I assume) into the piece, but we mainly get a very warped interview about this "book" named 'Muse' and your views on it.
Nice undercutting with the "Did you even read it?" question in the end. Very interesting.
This is a good start, a dead-on parody of a celebrity interview, and I like the somewhat contentious back and forth. Keep going with this, more on the book, the writing, the nature of truth. Perhaps a brief review by the interviewer? A quote from the book? Keep playing with this.
ReplyDeleteI agree, keep going with this. Let 'Alyssa Patterson,' the interviewed, develop into her own, breathing self. Put her in scenes, see how she responds. Someone told me to create a character for myself, an alter ego, and this is right there with that.
ReplyDeleteVery funny
ReplyDeleteI agree with the other comments
I want to read more
Also love the inclusion of Hugh Jackman