Good celebrity interview questions
Recently I had the opportunity to interview Garth Brooks. To prepare, I visited web sites like Wikipedia hoping that I might find some nuggets that would help me come up with some unique questions. I then went off to a quiet place in my house for about an hour and just started writing question after question on a legal pad. Knowing I’d have time for only about ten questions, I slowly cut some 40+ questions down to 12-15. Not all were killers, but a number of people who’ve heard the interview have told me it was obvious I prepared.
When it’s time for an artist (or other celeb) interview, what are some better questions you’ve asked? Knowing it’ll lead to a great response, is there a question you ask every celebrity?
What are some of the funnier responses you’ve received from questions you’ve asked?
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Themocracy
i’ve asked singers what vehicle they bought after they hit it big…after they got that first big ‘paycheck’..
We hear about some of the odd things artists put in their contract riders, so what’s the one thing you really need in your backstage area?
After I stunk up a few interviews I started asking friends what they’d ask the person I was going to be talking to. People are always willing to help and offer ideas for radio shows so now I ask others what they would ask. …. I get some of my best questions from others!!!!
I enjoy asking questions that give you a taste of their life. The answers can lead to more conversational questions as well. Questions like: What’s in your DVD collection? What’s on your nightstand? What shows do you TiVo? Are you a cat person or a dog person?
I like to ask a few questions near the end to allow them to be just like us again, rather than huge superstars. Last time they did a household chore (vacuumed the living room, cleaned the tub), last time they took their spouse to dinner. Also, song that’s been in their heads all day, last song they downloaded on their iPod, etc.
Good questions! I love that Mary-Lynn and Drew aren’t saying “What’s your favorite TV show,” or “What are your favorite songs” but rather, “What’s on your Tivo?” and “What’s on your iPod?”
Our afternoon guy likes to start every interview with – “My first question for you is……Can I borrow 20 bucks?” It’s funny, it’s his thing and it breaks the ice right away.
I teach an audio class at our charter hs. Besides live sound and computer recording, I want to use the equipment as education tools to help students learn by using the interview techniques and sound effects of real radio personnel. I think I have found a great resource here.
I like to ask actors/actresses this question:
“I would like to know if you can remember your very first on-screen kiss. And do you give us some details?”
It makes them smile every time and I got some great answers.
I like to find out what song/movie/tv show they did that they would take back if they could. Chris Rice hates his song “Cartoons”…one of his most popular.
sometimes i like to ask celebrities one thing they would like to change from their past.it gets them thinking
If you could be any video game character, Who Would you be and why?
Here is a really good example of a celebrity interview with Mark Boardman talking about the hundreds of celebrities that he has met , time on the red carpet and the baftas and his celeb pals and why he does it !
Mark rose to fame for his own show on T4 and is a interviewer, star meets, celeb pap, journalist and runs one of the Uk’s most popular film/celeb based websites
http://audioboo.fm/boos/107992-radio-interview-with-london-film-premiere
If there a Actor/Actress ask them what there favorite TV episode was to shoot. If there a singer ask them what there favorite song to perfome is. Ask them where there favorite place they traveled to is. And ask who inspires there songs. What inspires there songs. What made them want to do what there doing? If they could be any color of crayon what would they be? What is there favorite qoute? Whats there favorite part about there job so far? If they could change anything from there past what would it be? And if u wanted to do what there doing ask for advice on how to do it and get ready! HOPE THIS HELPED!
ask a celebrity what colour boxers they have – lol
I will ask the singers or actors this one questions. How far will you go in your fame??
Thanks for the tips and hints I got from this site. I am going to interview an internet celebrity soon. I hope it will turn out just fine. Cheers!
I HAVE TO WRITE AN INTERVIEW WITH AN AMBIGUOUS TITLE, I AM INTERVIEWING A CELEBRITY, FOR MY ENGLISH 4 CLASS… I NEED HELP!!! ANYONE WILLING TO HELP, FEEL FREE!!! :)
ask them what they enjoy doing on a sunny/rainy day
Having been in radio some 30 years and spent lots of time interviewing celebs, the best way to get them to relax and *remember you* is to play 10Q- I even played this with Ray Price! 10 off the wall questions: are you a dog or cat person & why? What’s your favorite pizza topping? Did you have a nickname as a kid? Did you play sports or a band instrument in high school? I get some of the best answers- and they love to tell little stories behind each answer- so more to save for later. Good luck!