That's One Way to Get Attention...
I don’t want to meet Cliff Richard. But I’d happily meet Elvis.
Not long ago, I made a comment about Paula Abdul to a friend.
She looked at me blankly.
“Paula Abdul was a famous dancer and singer in the 1980s and 90s.”
Still nothing.
“She was a famous choreographer – and a Laker girl!”
More blank stares.
“She was a judge on American Idol for years…”
And still nothing…
Right, I get it. Not every celebrity crosses the lines of geography – or time.
Like…Cliff Richard.
Google tells me this is Cliff Richard
I first heard of Cliff Richard when I was in New Zealand more than a decade ago.
I saw a biography of him in a bookstore and asked my husband who he was, as the biography stand was usually full of former All Blacks or cricket legends.
“He’s a singer,” my husband replied. “My mum liked him.”
Ah, OK. And I moved on.
But now, years later, I’m hearing Cliff Richard’s name again.
And why?
Because of an interview he did on the UK’s This Morning television program.
Richard, a British singer (whose music career – I’ve now learned – has spanned six decades), was telling a story about the influence Elvis Presley had on him, and that he missed out on a chance to meet the King of Rock & Roll several decades ago.
While Richard was promoting his album Devil Woman in the US, a journalist offered to introduce him to Presley.
“Would you want to meet him?” the journalist asked Richard.
“And I said, ‘Yeah,’” Richard replied.
“At the end of the interview though, I said, ‘Can we put it off?’ because he [Elvis] had put on a lot of weight, and I thought if I’m havin’ a photograph taken with him, and it’s gonna be hanging on my refrigerator, he’s gotta look good.
“And I put it off.
“And of course, then he died.”
Cue awkward expressions from the show’s hosts…
“You should never have put it off just because they’re a little bit heavier,” offered host Alison Hammond.
Then Richard offered this gem:
“If you’re a fan of somebody, if you get a chance to meet them, meet them – even if they’ve put on weight,” he said with a laugh.
Alison Hammond, Dermot O’Leary, and Sarah Ferguson interview Cliff Richard on This Morning
The only thing that made this anecdote more uncomfortable to watch was Richard’s lack of self awareness of who he was sharing it with.
Sitting next to him on the couch was This Morning temporary co-host Sarah Ferguson — who the press once referred to as the “Duchess of Pork” (and whose weight has been a topic of conversation in the press for years), and Hammond, who has also spoken openly about her struggles with her weight.
The whole exchange left me shaking my head, for Richard’s casual cruelty – and his lack of self-awareness.
Richard is 83, and has spent most of his life working in an industry where vanity and youth are valued.
But still.
Sure Elvis had sex appeal, but people kept paying to see him perform (whatever his body looked like) because of his talent and showmanship.
It’s not like Richard had the chance to get into bed with Elvis!
It was a chance for a meeting – and probably a brief one where he could have exchanged kind words with someone who had an influence on his life.
Richard let his own vanity and insecurity rob him of the chance to meet someone he admired.
And that’s sad.
I hope the criticism Richard is receiving now makes him reflect on what his shallowness really cost him.
I suspect it’s a lot more than a chance to meet Elvis.
*And if you don’t know who Paula Abdul is (and even if you do!), I highly recommend watching this video:
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Beth Collier loves writing, pop culture, and plenty of Elvis songs!
She also loves helping companies, leaders, and teams improve their communication (and creativity and leadership) through consulting, coaching, and workshops.
Her clients benefit from Beth’s global corporate experience, Midwestern practicality and enthusiasm, and an endless supply of pop culture references.
To find out how Beth can help you become a more confident, creative, and compelling leader – or improve communication in your company – visit www.beth-collier.com or drop her a line at beth@beth-collier.com
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