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Over the past eight weeks, select words have emerged to define each of the Rock Star: INXS singers. Ty has been called 'theatrical'. Marty has been deemed 'magnetic'. And, of course, JD has been dressed up-and-down in 'controversy'.
If there was one word that creeped up time-and-time again for Deanna Johnston, that word was 'powerful'. You saw it in her appearance. You felt it during her performances. But, you really grasped Deanna's larger-than-life presence when she opened her pipes and belted out everything the "I'm the Only One" to her original track, "My Truth".
However, last Wednesday we saw a softer side of Deanna Johnston. Emotions overtook the Los Angeles rocker as Tim Farriss uttered the journey ending words, "You're just not right for our band INXS".
Now, a few days later, we catch up with Deanna to learn a little more about this sultry rocker that drew comparisons to legendary rocker, Janis Joplin.
Here, for you, is the interview!
RSGH: So Deanna... This interview is going to be a little different. Half the time I'm going to pretend I'm Sigmond Freud, doing free association stuff. And, the other half of the time, I'll be your friendly, neighborhood reporter... Okay?
Deanna: [Smirking] Okay. Let's give it a try...
RSGH: Right on... Here we go... Bob Marley or John Lennon?
Deanna: Bauuubbb
RSGH: Saturday or Sunday?
Deanna: SUNN-DAYY!
RSGH: Why Sunday?
Deanna: That’s the day! I can rest my voice, go to Church, call Home... Sunday’s everything. [She laughs]
RSGH: Did you watch the show on Sunday night?
Deanna: Yep.
RSGH: How did that make you feel as the other rockers sat around, listened to your track and remembered you?
Deanna: To see that. That was heartfelt. And, to be honest, it made me kind of sad. I mean, I was just reallly starting to open up to those guys... It was kind of upsetting too.
RSGH: When you say you were just opening up... What is that about?
Deanna: I’m a private person. It takes me a while to feel a connection with someone. I don’t know. I’m not the best people person, I guess.
RSGH: Was there any one in the house that you did feel that immediate connection with?
Deanna: I adore MiG. He is one of the sweetest people on this earth. And, of course, Ty.
RSGH: Gotcha. Switching gears... Sting or Bono?
Deanna: Bon-ohhhhh. He’s my hero... One of the reasons I got into music. I met him once in Vegas. I was so star struck I didn’t know what to say.
RSGH: For your techie fans...Yahoo or Google?
Deanna: [She laughs] Yahoo.
RSGH: Chocolate or Vanilla?
Deanna: Chocolate allllll the way!
RSGH: Who’s sexier? A guitarist or a bass player?
Deanna: Bass player.
RSGH: Who’s the sexiest member of the House Band?
Deanna: That would be Naaate. (She chuckles)
RSGH: What was the most memorable moment for you during Rock Star: INXS so far?
Deanna: (No hesitation.) Up at the mansion, the first time Ty and I played back a recording of ‘My Truth’... We listened to it loud! That was right on.
And, of course, playing the song on tv in front of millions of people was up there too. That opportunity... Wow. That was huge.
RSGH: We know you as Deanna, presented by Rock Star: INXS. You’ve been edited to some extent...
Deanna: Yah.
RSGH: What else do you think we might want to know about you that wasn’t conveyed on the show?
Deanna: Yah. That’s a good question. And, honestly, I’ve only seen one show. But, my friends and family told me that relative to the others... There wasn’t much story line on me. I wrestled with that during the experience.
Should I go out of my way to create drama? Should I be something other than I am? At the end of the day, it was all about integrity for me. I had to maintain my integrity. I had to be me.
RSGH: Right on. Duran Duran or Motley Crew?
Deanna: Motley Crue!
RSGH: You’re stuck on an island for three months, which cds would you bring?
Deanna: Joplin, Led Zeppelin and one of my own.
RSGH: What was the best concert you ever saw?
Deanna: Hmmmmm. I don’t go to a whole lot of concerts but I saw Melissa Ethridge once in an all acoustic setting that was amazing. No, wait, Tina Turner. Yah, Tina.
RSGH: What’s your take on that whole ‘safe zone’ banter that went on during the show?
Deanna: I was initially annoyed by that. I mean, of the nine songs I did, four were out of my ‘safe zone’. It’s kinda ridiculous in a way. There’s nothing safe or easy about letting your voice go.
What’s funny... Is that in my cover band, The MVPs (www.themvps.net), I sing Gloria Estefan, I sing Beyonce, I can sing all that stuff... it’s just not really my thing.
RSGH: Sooooooooooooooo.... What’s next for you?
Deanna: I’m taking the next steps right now. I’m in the studio, writing and recording. Most importantly, I’m looking for a manager. A good manager.
I’ve now done the reality tv thing and, if possible, I want to capitalize on these 15 minutes!
RSGH: Muchos gracias. Hey, do you have a website?
Deanna: Yah. It’s down now but it’ll be back up in tomorrow or the next day. It’s www.deannajohnston.net.
RSGH: Very cool. Thanks!!!
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