Anyone Who’s Anyone: The Astonishing Celebrity Interviews, 1987-2017 is a new book from celebrity interviewer George Wayne of Vanity Fair.
Celebrity interviews certainly have their way with the public. In recent years, interviewers themselves have taken on celebrity of their own- Terry Gross from NPR has captivated audiences with her soothing voice and drilling questions, making for a satisfying contrast. Oprah reached near-cosmic significance with her inspiring interviews with everyone from celebrities to troubled members of the public. Being written about by Walter Isaacson has become a rare phenomenon akin to knighthood or acceptance into a obsessively selective club. Sit-downs with Katie Couric and Diane Sawyer have been record-breaking for networks. But for the humble magazine interview, Vanity Fair’s former celebrity interviewer George Wayne offers a career packed with unique and punchy interviews that will inspire and occasionally concern.
The George Wayne Questionnaire serves as a point of reference for the conversationalist, and the questions leave little quiet: “what’s your favorite sex position?” “What should there be an app for?” There is no time limit or due date, but the questions- though invasive- offer a humanizing look at celebrities. It was never about glorifying, but humanizing the experience of life. Sure, the questionnaire has changed over the years to accommodate news and new technology and social landscapes, but for over twenty years, he documented pop culture with that George Wayne Questionnaire. It’s been one of Vanity Fair’s most iconic and intriguing features. In each issue, he posed a series of offbeat questions to some the most captivating people in the world.
Refreshingly unafraid to ask anything and everything, GW has perfected what he calls—the probe and parry—to break down protective facades and get inside the heads and hearts of his interviewees. The results have been humorous, often surprising, sometimes shocking, and always revealing.
Beautifully designed with illustrations, Anyone Who’s Anyone is a collection of some of his most fascinating conversations with the world’s famous and infamous, highlighted with introductory annotations and memories of each interview—first published in his own R.O.M.E., Vanity Fair, and The Daily Front Row.
Cultural icons, royalty, and superstars of all kinds—including Kate Moss, Ivanka Trump, Ivana Trump, Martha Stewart, Joan Rivers, Farrah Fawcett, Fabio, Graydon Carter, and many more—spill their secrets, candidly sharing their hopes and fears.
With social media increasingly dominating our personal interactions, Anyone Who’s Anyone demonstrates that nothing can replace an engaging and authentic tête-à-tête. Emir Bahadir co-hosted the book release party.
