This article was
published in a french magazine in February 1999. Thanks a lot to
Sabrina, from France, for sharing it with us.
The
big success of the "king of kisses" forced him to leave
his country. Tarkan explains: "Fame and freedom, I want it
all!"
The first
time he came to France, Tarkan especially appreciated the fact he
could walk in the streets without being recognized. But, today,
with the success of "Simarik" and "Sikidim",
he's also a star in our country! How does he handle his sudden
fame here? What does he think of a star's life? What are the
advantages and the disadvantages? Confidences in the snug warm
room of a famous hotel, the Carlton...
-In
the "Sikidim" videoclip, we see you hiden in a car
because you're followed by hundred and hundred fans and cameras.
Is it really something you've lived?
-When I leave a big tv emission or a concert as the one I gave in
Olympia on January 27, there are, it's true, a lot of people who
wait for me, and sometimes I have to be escorted by bodyguards,
so I don't become torn to little bits [laughs]. But here in
France, even if it's more and more difficult not to be seen, it'
s allright. In Turkey, on the contrary, it wasn't bearable
anymore.
-That's
to say?
-It
was impossible to me to go out without being surrounded by a
dense crowd, sometimes hysterical. Also impossible to go to a
restaurant with a girlfriend without being tracked by paparazzis.
I remember in particular a high-speed car chase which really
frightened me. Of course, I drove as a ace, because I left behind
my chasers! But when I think of it, we could really have been
killed...
-Nevertheless,
when someone has a job like yours, he's happy to be known, isn't
it?
-It's true, this attention towards me, is it the food of my
spirit? I live on the love the fans give me. It's great that
people look at you, and I must tell that I like people
recognizing me when I go to restaurants or clubs. It's also
pleasant when you are given the best table. I wouldn't do a
scandal to get it, but I appreciate all this little advantages
that fame brings. Unfortunately, there are also some
disadvantages which are not really fun everyday.
-What's
the most painful to you?
-There
are two things that hurt me. The first, is to be tracked down
like a beast. Once I even was live on turkish tv with a camera
following me to the toilet door! Then, you lose all your freedom
and also your ability to create. I need to stay in contact with
reality, to meet people, to observe, to chat, as everybody, so I
have things to tell in my songs. This life was impossible for me
in Turkey, and I had to leave to live elsewhere. That's why I
chose New York, where nobody knows me.
-You
were speaking about two negative points, which is the other one?
-The
second thing that it's difficult sometimes, is the fact that I'm
misunderstood. I remember a big concert in my country where I was
singing a really sexy song where my dancers had to take my
clothes off (not all them, of course!). It was misunderstood and
the next day the media made a scandal of it. The press said that
I gave a bad example since I'm considered as a provocative person
although it wasn't my intention at all. I just wanted, as my
audience, to vent my youth on stage and to have fun. These
critics hurt me on the moment.
-Tell
us the good side of your job...
-What
I love above all, are all these travels I do since I'm famous.
It's great to discover other countries, but especially to know
other cultures, food, people...
-There's
also the money which isn't negligible, isn't it?
-I
would lie if I told the opposite. As everybody else, I prefer
having money than being poor. But I'm not the kind of person that
buys heaps and heaps of houses here and there. I have no private
jet either. I also tell that about money, I'm not the most
reasonable one. I spend it all in travels and clothes. But you
have to excuse me, I'm still young! [smiles]
-Here's
a question whose answer I already guess, but I can't wait to ask
it to you...And if you had to do all again?
-Of course I would do it again, and even twice! I'm not someone
bored, on the contrary. Every evening, when I enter my hotel
room, I thank God for all the love given by my fans. And I hope
it will last a lot of time...
Short info:
Here's
the proof that although he's famous, he's still simple at
heart. While photo shooting, he bought a little blue
earring at...14 francs (a little less than 2 dollars),
and it made him the most happy man!
"Didi",
Khaled's song, is really a cover of Tarkan's song
"Kimdi".
When
he stays in a hotel with fitness facilities, he goes
there to relax between meetings.
Last,
but not least...Did you know that Tarkan, star or not, is
really a sweet? Nicer than him, you won't find one!
