Eileen Shapiro: “Rockstar Journalist and Celebrity Correspondent by Addison Coleman

Known for never writing a derogatory comment, Eileen Shapiro has become one of the top celebrity and musical iconic journalist globally. Currently writing for over 40 pop-culture, music, entertainment and gay magazines worldwide, Eileen has interviewed artists including: Diana Ross, Annie Lennox, Cyndi Lauper, Jennifer Hudson, Mary Wilson, Brooke Shields, Adam Ant, Fran Drescher, Sandra Bernhard, and Melissa Etheridge, only to name a small few.

 

She has been published in some of the most prestigious publications such as Louder Than War, a top 40 pop-culture, UK magazine, Huff Post, Skope, Rawckus, Buzz Feed, PureM, Music News, Pop Classic, Indie Source, and the number 7 LGBTQ magazine on the planet, again to name only a few.

 

Having written about almost every well known artist in the universe as well as thousands of Indie artists trying to rise, as well as a best selling book entitled The Star Trek Medical Reference Manual, I felt it was now time to have a conversation with the pinnacle of columnists ….

 

Do you recall the first celebrity you ever interviewed?

 

Yes, it was Leonard Nimoy who portrayed the character of Mr. Spock in the world famous Star Trek series. I had a strange obsession with Leonard Nimoy, or perhaps it was Spock, I’m not really sure whom I was more fascinated with at the time…

 

What inspired you to become a journalist?

 

Mr. Spock of course. At least the first time around. After I developed my weird consuming passion for Mr. Nimoy, I also met a boyfriend who edited “The Star Trek Giant Poster Book”, a publication that I wrote for until I was commissioned by Ballentine Books to write “The Star Trek Medical Reference Manual”, which became a best seller.. Before that I was a nursing student who just happened to be a good writer. After which I stopped writing until what seemed like a century and three kids later, when I acquired a gay bar and the gay tabloids attempted to coax me to advertise. Instead I began to write for them, and I eventually met Mike Todd the publisher of Get Out Magazine. The rest became journalistic history.

 

Who to date was your most sort after celebrity to interview?

 

Although I love nearly everyone I’ve spoken to, my desire to write the second time around was motivated by Adam Ant, another lifelong obsession. It took me six years, 3 publications and 3 continents to finally get that interview, but it was well worth it. My book “Waiting For Adam: The Chronicles of a Rock N Roll Fag Hag” will be out shortly. It is a factual account of all the celebrities I’ve met and interviewed plus my involvement within the gay community while hoping to interview Adam. Some of my most treasured interviews will be included in the manuscript.

 

Is there anyone you still wish you could interview?

 

I would kill to interview Billy Idol.

 

Have you interviewed anyone more than once?

 

I have interviewed Sandra Bernhard at least ten times as web as Cyndi Lauper. I’ve interviewed Rick Springfield twice, another one on my wish list. I’ve had repeated conversations with Jody Watley, Taylor Dayne, Slim Jim Phantom of The Stray Cats, Deborah Cox, Dionne Warwick, Doctor Dre, Me,Issa Etheridge, Randy Jones, Ross Mathews, Tom Proctor, Caroline Williams, Michele Lee, Bianca Del Rio, The Impractical Jokers, Ultra Nate, Karyn White, Michael Urie, Michael Musto, and I’m sure several others whom I can’t think of on the spot.

 

I’ve heard that many artists seem to tell you everything, do you form lasting relationships with any of the artists you’ve interviewed?

 

I’ve become very good friends with Randy Jones, the cowboy from The Village People, Slim Jim Phantom the drummer from The Stray Cats, Aaron Paul, the former lead singer of the Boy Band, Worlds Apart, and many others. I’ve since met Adam Ant many times, Dionne Warwick, Kelly Ripa, and many other celebs that I still wish to interview including Debbie Harry and Whoopie Goldberg….Still working on those. I’ve even met the love of my life, a UK indie artist, Sam Stevens.

 

Aside from Adam Ant who where you most nervous to interview?

 

Michael Musto, the world famous journalist from The Village Voice. He was a fellow journalist, and a much better writer than I will ever be, plus I was scared of him. Since then we’ve become friends. For the record I was much more nervous to interview MICHAEL than Adam.

 

Whom are the most recent people you’ve spoken to that everyone would know?

 

Most recently I’ve had conversations with Lisa Stansfield, Kim Wilde, Tom Bailey front The Thompson Twins, Kylie Minogue, and Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland.

 

What do you do in your spare time when you’re not writing for 40 plus publications?

 

I’m running a PR company called “World Star PR”, and having a blast doing it!

 

Follow on Twitter @EileenShapiro3