Sarah's thoughts of the MTV FANATIC Interview
July 30, 1998
Hello again you guys. I decided to write you guys flat out. I felt silly
lurking around (since the EDAs seem like family and all) but being on AOL my
mail box can barely handle the regular list mail so I figured posting through
Mr. BB would be the best. I am sorry it has taken me so long to answer more of
your questions concerning FANatic, but I was out of town for a little while.
Anyway let me start by saying thank you sooo much to all the positive comments
that you guys shared with me. I was really nervous about you guys seeing the
interview because I care a lot about what you all think. You guys are like
family and I really wanted you guys to enjoy the show. It is really nerve
racking to watch yourself on TV I realized. I was nit picking everything I did
- I mean come on could I put my hair behind my ear anymore? Or how many times
was I gonna give that goofy "I am totally in awe" smile? Anyway - it really
made me feel good that you guys were so supportive. It made the whole
experience wonderful - Thank you all. Ok now on to the questions I have been
reading from you guys and a few other side notes ~
Q1) sesykes@juno.com (Scott E Sykes)
So what was Jewel like in person? Anything they didn't show that you
wish they would have?
Sarah: Jewel was amazing in person. She was very laid back and down to earth.
I was really impressed at how "normal" she was. Let me explain that last
comment: with all of the pressures of stardom and all of the fame she has
recently been introduced to it seems that it would be easy to lose yourself in
it all.
Jewel seemed to still have her feet planted firmly on the ground. This made the
whole experience less nerve racking for me cuz with her friendly nature she put
me at ease immediately. There were a lot of things MTV didn't show about the
interview, but I will get into that in a minute.
Q2) dkaracos@utmb.edu (Karacostas, Derrick W.)
This is for all those who have had doubts (past or present) about
Jewel's attitude, the way she carries herself. I have 3 words for all
you people....JUST ASK SARAH!!! Who would know better? She just spent an
hour one on one with Jewel. Your doubts will soon be erased....I hope.
Sarah: As I just said she was a total doll. I didn't think it was possible to be any
more inspired by her, but after the interview there were so many things that
were brought alive inside me just from being around her. Everyone is entitled
to their own opinion and mine is that she is a great person and wonderful
artist! :o )
Q3)dkaracos@utmb.edu (Karacostas, Derrick W.)
And why did Jewel call us EDA's freaks? Did you catch that Alan and
Mike? She seemed weirded out by us all. I didn't get that part.
Sarah: Ok let me explain - MTV cut out a big part in there. When she was talking
about being scared of the whole fan thing she meant when she first was
beginning to attract bigger crowds. She felt uncomfortable because of all the
attention. She said something to the effect that she is just human like
everyone else. She then went on to say how cool everything has been that the
EDAs have done. She mentioned the birthday wishes as being very cool and that
it really makes her feel good that we take the inspiration we get from her and
help others with it. The way MTV cut the question it sounded like she wasn't
very grateful for the EDAs, but in reality she said sooooo many sweet things
about us. :o )
Q4) casper31@juno.com (Adina F)
Does anyone who knows Sarah or Sarah if youre reading this, know if she
got an uncut version of the show for herself to keep? It really would
have been nice to see the whole interview.
Sarah: I don't think I will be getting an uncut version. The producer that went with
me told me that they aren't supposed to do that, but the camera guy winked at
me right then and told me not to worry. I really hope they do cuz something
happen with my friend's camera and NONE of my pictures came out of Jewel and me
:o ( If I do get anything that I am allowed to reproduce I will let you guys
know and maybe we can set up something so anyone who wants a copy can have it.
I would be more than willing to do that :o )
Q5) kristenluv@hotmail.com (* Jewel *)
Okay ya know when sarah was showing her Jewel posters in her
room on FANatic? Well, she had this HUGE one of the ANWA picture. Does
anyone know where I can get that???
Sarah: I know! :o ) Actually My friend made it for me. She
copied/enlarged it using pencil I believe.
Well I just re-watched FANatic and I am trying to figure out what was said and
what wasn't said. MTV did a pretty good job with hitting the strong points of
my interview, but they did leave out some things that were interesting. I will
just give you a brief play by play. First of all the interview was supposed to
be done on horse back but because I was so nervous about the interview (I was
faint and felt sick, go figure) the producer wouldn't let me ride. He was
afraid I would feel worse. Anyway, after Jewel gave me a hug in the beginning
we walked over to the chairs and basically just talked about the fiasco I had
getting there. She was funny - making jokes about how MTV wisks me away for a
fun filled trip of no sleep and endless plane rides. I told her that I wasn't
complaining ;o ) She just giggled. When we sat down the first thing she did
was throw her gum on the ground - it was really funny. I mean it was just like
I was with one of my buds at home! The rest of the interview was pretty much
as it came across with just a few things here and there cut out (except for the
EDA question which was cut big time!). Jewel expanded on writing as being what
she enjoys most by saying that it helps her with all aspects of her life. (I'm
sorry I don't remember her exact words here).
She got a little more specific with the most autobiographical songs being Nikos
(as most of you could have guessed) and Don't. I asked her about what keeps her
going and she said that her mother is an amazing source of strength in her life
and that she keeps Jewel focused on what she loves. I also asked her who is
the most influential artist in your life and she said that it is funny - people
think that just because I am Jewel I can't like Marilyn Manson or something,
but I guess I would have to say my father. It was really funny the way she
said it. She went on to talk about bar singing with her father in Alaska ( no
knew stories there though). After the interview we just chit chatted about
being on TV and weird it can feel. We walked back up to her horse and she
introduce me to the horse. We took some pictures and then we were separated to
do more single interviews. I think that MTV did a pretty good job working with
what they had. The interview looked choppy but really that was because they
kept switching cameras and angles. When they cut something out they generally
cut the whole question out. I didn't like how they kept repeating my shock
when I saw Jewel - they could have put in some other funny moments - oh well!
The one last question and then I promise I will end what turned out to
be a novel:
Q6) dkaracos@utmb.edu (Karacostas, Derrick W.) Sarah, where are you now??? How
often do you post to the list? I've never seen a letter from you, aside from
the one incorporated into Alan's letter. When did you join the list?
Sarah: Well I am from a suburb of Chicago, IL. I don't post very often to the list,
but I read everything you guys write. I have written a lot of EDAs
individually concerning different posts and projects. I haven't gotten to go
to an EDA outing yet since there aren't many in the Midwest (also cuz I am only
18 and still live with my parents who aren't too keen on the idea of me meeting
anyone off the internet). I joined the list the end of March in '97, 2 days
after I saw Jewel at the Chicago Theater. That is the run down on me.
Love and Luck,
Sarah ~ the Angel in Heaven ~