So I watched P on the view yesterday, hoping for a performance. (yeah yeah) But anyway, something really fascinating happened on the show - in my eyes. There was these series of exchanges where Barbara and one of the other ladies were insisting that Prince was shy, and he denied it. Then they tried to peg him as quiet, and he denied that - with a sly smile.

Honestly, I'm not a big defender of Prince as a person. I think the little guy is one of the most talented performers on the planet though. That being said, his actions towards fans are quite lame-o at times. However, I imagine Prince isn't quite or shy to those who know him. I bet if he was your close personal friend and was comfortable with you - he'd talk your ear off. The thing is - the media now-a-days (I think) expects performers, and even people in general, to all be fame/attention whores and just love to chat chat chat about themselves. I don't think for a second Prince isn't personable or a good conversationalist (Let's face it - he hooked up with Carmen, Kim Bassinger, and countless other amazing women. If he was just some cold fish - that would never have happened.)

Further, I think it sucks how given our culture now-a-days, some people will watch that interview and think Prince is stuck up, because he wasn't Katy Perrying it up with his all-smiles, fake laugh, and fascinating topics.

After watching that interview, I have a whole new appreciation for Prince as a person. Maybe I'm reading too much into something small but just some random thoughts I had that I wanted to share.

Totally agree on everything you said.

You're right.

He's Just like everybody else, If i dont feel comfortable in a place when Im surrounded by people Im not going to talk that Much, Usually I just reply to the questions they ask me. but If I'm in a Place I know with My friends and My family, Im going to act differently!

Since People is used to Watch Interviews where lady Gaga Is using a tree house as a dress or something like that, When they see somebody being normal they think its because he's shy...

It's pretty funny when a fifty-something man gets called "shy". That's something you might say to a teenager, but not really to someone as old as Prince already is.

I'm sorry I called Prince old.

novabrkr said:

It's pretty funny when a fifty-something man gets called "shy". That's something you might say to a teenager, but not really to someone as old as Prince already is.

Agree.

"Shy"? Really? That's absurd.

And I agree with OP that being more reserved is more suitable than being like the attention whores we usually see in the media nowadays. There's no need to talk about one's personal life and every stupid little thing.

I do wish he'd talk a little more about his music, though - kind of promote it more.

[Edited 9/18/12 10:45am]

You would think that someone like Barbara Walters, who is supposed to be smart, would know the difference between being shy and being reticent but apparently not.

artist76 said:

novabrkr said:

It's pretty funny when a fifty-something man gets called "shy". That's something you might say to a teenager, but not really to someone as old as Prince already is.

Agree.

"Shy"? Really? That's absurd.

And I agree with OP that being more reserved is more suitable than being like the attention whores we usually see in the media nowadays. There's no need to talk about one's personal life and every stupid little thing.

I do wish he'd talk a little more about his music, though - kind of promote it more.

That is the perfect word for it. Nobody who's truly shy gets up on a stage in front of thousands of people and does what Prince does.

He's reserved (and maybe wary) around people he doesn't know well, I'm sure. (Who can blame him when people pounce on his every word?) I'd be very surprised if he's like that around those who know him best.

People mistake introspection for shyness. A lot of artists are introspective, directing energy inward instead outward towards bullshyt.

I have heard stories of Prince not speaking to folks in private. I don't blame him. I ignore half the shit people say when trying to converse with me.

Nate319 said:

Totally agree on everything you said.

So do I.

Funniest..most awkward bit was when Whoopi called Prince ' a remarkable young man, I was gonna say kid, but you know' . I guess Prince didn't mind it because he looks good and hates gettin older I imagine...Still,he isn't really a young man no more, let alone a kid...smh

He's very generous with his trim, but his trim always has the shelf-life of sushi.

If we're going to speculate on the man's character, something that really is impossible to do with a heavy dose of conjecture, than expect folks to factor in other aspects of his public behavior not metnioned in the original posts----threatening mothers who upload youtube vids of their kids dancing, threatening fansites, hobbling the org to some extent, making a complete mess of certain distribution channels only to brand fans who voice legitimate complaints as 'haters', refusing to sign autographs, etc.

So, I don't think it can be said he's a cold fish nor a warm hearted Jesus-type. We just don't know. However, with Prince for every positive there's a glaring negative.

From his over-rehearsed comments in response to interview questions on T.V. the last 15 years, I would peg Prince not at "shy" persay, but extremely ...indeed neurotically self-concious.

spellng edit

[Edited 9/18/12 16:47pm]

SynthiaRose said:

People mistake introspection for shyness. A lot of artists are introspective, directing energy inward instead outward towards bullshyt.

I have heard stories of Prince not speaking to folks in private. I don't blame him. I ignore half the shit people say when trying to converse with me.

Walters lost any credibility as a real journalist years ago and the way she handled this was awkward as well. In the small bit of the interview I saw, Prince came off really sweet. He looked and sounded good, but, his current clothing choices are just not doing it for me. Wish he would rethink his current look and color scheme.

If you actually listen to prince's response when that idiot Walters asks if he is shy he goes ' mmm I wouldn't say shy.'

Imo you can't be shy in many aspects of his business and I am sure he is a very driven, selfish demanding and vocal person when it comes to his music. Maybe he knows this ' shy , quiet, image is intentional because it creates a fascination and a likability .A bit like Michael Jackson with his shy image.

Or maybe he is naturally like that in interview, who the fuck wants to talk about their private world to 4 annoying women and whoopi or any interviever.The only time these people usually meet a guest is on their show, does this and the fact they do music or make a movie give them a justifiication to ask anything they want about the person? NO

Agree on the self conscious part...But then many are in those lines of work and especially if you reach a global , iconic staus.Must be hell knowing you are judged continually on your past when you in the present.Even if he makes shit music, he still has to make sure every show is raising the bar and better than most in the youth today.Then he has his image to maintain and his hatred of gettin older.

I doubt prince is like this behind closed doors.The recent dcumentary of him backstage proves this.He loves/has to be center of attention.It is probably the small man complex.