Jermaine Jackson in Birmingham
Well I have just come back from interviewing Jermaine Jackson at the Radisson SAS. He’s in Birmingham to present an award at the Muslim Writers Awards at the ICC on Saturday.
I was told to be there at 6pm sharp with a photographer. On arrival, however, I was told he was running late (in true celeb style) and I would have to wait. In addition, it seemed he had not been consulted and a request for an interview hadn’t been made.
I finally got my interview at about 7pm.. An hour isn’t that bad I guess but waiting around was no fun.
And then I was told I had three minutes, and only three minutes to talk to Michael’s big bro. (Yes, pun intended) But I was also warned to stick to three areas.
1) The awards
2) His religious beliefs
3) His charity work.
Oh darn it. No mention of Shilpa, Michael Jackson (vast area that with colour, court and strange behavior on my mind) or his hair allowed.
And my thoughts on this great man? Well to start with, he didn’t seem to like me. But after a “Nice to meet you Mr Jackson”, a hand shake, an apology for taking up his precious time and lots of smiling, he seemed to warm up to me. And I to him.
I even managed to get to five minutes. Ok ok, four-and-a-half. And with another handshake, a big smile and a goodbye in that soft voice of his, he was gone.
Yes I was star struck and even sang a Jackson Five medley in my head as I returned to work. And when I got into my car later, “Billie Jean” by little bro Wacko was the first song that came on.. spooky!
The awards, his beliefs and charity work!!!! You have got to be joking…all the things that could have been cleared up man. oh well there might be a next time.
We can only hope!
why couldn’t you talk about his hair… he still has some, doesn’t he?
Wow what an honor 4 and a half minutes of his time to his fans i wonder what he got to attend the awards! I would have liked to know why he did not stand up for shilpa. I know its old news now but in an age where we should lead by example he let me and others down by not stopping it.