TÊTE-À-TÊTE WITH THE LEGENDARY PAULETTE ATTIE

You can imagine the editing and cutting out of all the pauses that had to be done.  He beamed with pleasure when he heard the edited playback.  My interview with Dr. Sirmay was the program I’m most proud of.  He had worked with Cole Porter, Richard Rodgers, Harold Arlen, the Gershwins, interviewed Leonard Bernstein for a job, and had stories to tell about all of them!

Q: You appeared in over one thousand concerts, and performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Hollywood Bowl, Bruno Walter Auditorium, Westbury Music Fair and concert halls in Japan and South America. ONE THOUSAND CONCERTS! MY LORD, Paulette!  How could this be possible?    
PAULETTE:  One at a time.  Sorry, I couldn’t resist. 

Q: How and when did you know, you were on your way to stardom?
PAULETTE:  A lyric from Irving Berlin’s “There’s No Business Like Show Business” gives my answer:  “Yesterday they told you would not go far, That night you open and there you are, Next day on your dressing room they’ve hung a star.  Let’s go on with the show.”  It’s the ‘Let’s go on with the show,” that expresses my feelings about it.  

Q: Have you ever helped obscure artists who needed a break, a chance in their lives? What did you do to help them? Did they remind you of your early days in you career?
PAULETTE:  Friends and associates have asked me to advise aspiring singers and actors.  The best thing I've done in this regard is to give them voice lessons.  Aspiring singers learn very quickly if they really have the need to be a singer or not, because I give them homework.  If they do it and can't wait for more, it’s a good indication that they’ve made a right career choice for themselves.  I’m so impressed with young artists who are willing to make sacrifices in their lives, and sacrifices are part of the package, in order to achieve their goals.  I've identified with a few and advise them as needed.  But it’s the teaching, not the advice that helps the most.         
 

ATTIE: "To make a difference in the world is probably the most evolved example of success for me."

Q: What success means to you? Success in your career? Financial remuneration? Recognition?
PAULETTE:  I think differently about success now than I did when I first started.  I just wanted to work.  Success was not the goal.  And I've been fortunate and had the opportunity to be a working performer in many different areas.  Now, I think that success is not such a bad goal, because you have the opportunity to possibly get “better” jobs when your goal is to be a success.  However, I’m glad I didn't see it that way when I started.    

Q: And success in your life, as a woman, as a mother, as a wife, as a human being?
PAULETTE:  To make a difference in the world is probably the most evolved example of success for me.  I consciously try to apply this principle every day. Even the smallest gesture, like smiling at someone, or exhibiting compassion to another can make a difference.  I recently received a letter of thanks from someone I'd helped some twenty-five years ago.  I'd long since forgotten the deed, but she hadn't.  This may be off the beat and track for your piece, but I just completed writing my first book, “The Seven Keys to Live a Masterful Life,” that I hope will make a difference in the lives of many people. 

Q: How did you spend the first paycheck you got? Did you spend it all on you? On friends? Did you save it?
PAULETTE:  I think I bought some #2 soft lead pencils with good erasers.  It wasn't a large sum. 


 

ATTIE:"I love, simply love observing nature. This could be a walk in the park, or looking at beautiful flowers."

Q: What is the most precious or expensive gift you have ever received in youralife?                                 PAULETTE: A Piaget watch to wear for my one woman off-Broadway show, “About Time.”

Q: And what is the most beautiful present Grande Dame Paulette Attie gave to a friend?                                         PAULETTE: I’ think jewelry that I made for a friend, using beautiful semi precious stones. I thought about the friend for whom I was making it, and that gave me pleasure while creating it.

Q: Paulette, on a more pragmatic level, what is more important to you, a career success, a global fame or peace of mind?
PAULETTE:  I think I'll take all three. 
 
Q: All three? You earned it! What piece of mind is for Paulette Attie?
PAULETTE:  There’s a lyric in my song, “Time Piece” that goes:  “Make each piece of time a time of peace for one and all.  Now’s our piece of time.”   We have to create peace for ourselves.  On some level, others will feel that peace and also benefit from it. 

Q: What do you like most in life? And what  relaxes you most, in addition to music? Perhaps exotic cars, vintage fashion, a nicely decorated apartment? Family? Adventures? Sleep?
PAULETTE:  I love, simply love observing nature.  This could be a walk in the park, or looking at beautiful flowers. It’s a great way of relaxing and even helps get me past worries and concerns because it takes me out of myself. 

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