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THE
FOREVER DONNA CHEST
The
best of FOREVER DONNA's old pages
FOREVER
DONNA > HOME > EXTRA
> CHEST > THE
T-BOX, NOV 09 2003
ON
HOW DONNA'S LOOKING TODAY
Article by David Thornton (FOREVER DONNA 's
collaborator) It's interesting to read the observations from Rael's
article on this month's
When I saw Donna in person both times she was well-groomed
and very comfortable with herself. As the book mentions, there were people
after Donna at various times, once for the witness of a murder and at
least once by a stalker. Even in the Arsenio Hall interview of 1989 Donna
is very protective about where she lives and jokes to the audience that
she doesn't want to see them outside her gates. At the book signing in LA,
she was brought in the back door due to some security concerns out front.
The bookstore manager told me that security had spotted some "stalker
types" in the crowd and had made the alternate arrangements to ensure
safety. It must be hard to always be concerned like that and have so much
true life experience to back it up. During the book signing, it was
obvious that there were security concerns, including one inconsiderate
professional photographer who kept flashing his camera in Donna's face
while she was signing my book. Nonetheless, she was beautifully made up,
with blue contact lenses, great foundation and blush, an appropriate wig
and very stylish, yet conservative pantsuit and beret. Her nails were
flawless and her jewelry sparkled (and what a ring on her right hand!).
Bruce stood at her side and a security officer flanked her left.
The
next night, Donna was in great form. She scurried through the really
crowded room, calling to old friends about meeting for dinner later,
showed genuine excitement to see people, hugging, laughing, kissing, and
being the celebrated artist that one would expect her to be. In the book
she talks about a scar on her right cheek. I for the life of me couldn't
see it...either it's been cosmetically repaired or she does have the best
make up artist in town. Donna's eyes glisten even behind the sunglasses
she wore for some of the time at the gallery, her teeth are flawless (I go
to the same dentist whom she went to in the 80s, coincidentally), and her
skin in smooth belying her age. She was a class act, interested in meeting
me officially, shook hands, joked with me, and was very gracious in
hearing about the litho of Lady M that I already own. Not tired at all.
However, having met Donna in person only weeks ago and observing her in
public at both her book signing and the art exhibition, I can tell you
that the comments about her lack of interest and energy are without much
evidence. First, the entire concept of "Ordinary Girl," and I
think we can all call this the "Ordinary Girl" promo tour, is
that Donna Summer is not really the First Lady of Love sex goddess that
Oasis and Casablanca records packaged her as in the 70s in order to sell
records. Let's face it, it is now and was then all about making money and
corporate greed. Donna's talent was a commodity that needed to be
packaged. Would people buy Starbuck's coffee if it was sold from a plain
vending machine? No, there's an entire experience around the product that
includes brand imaging and the in store experience. Same with musicians.
1975, sex is in, disco is booming and has emerged from the gay
underground, and discos are associated with sexual liberation--largely due
to gay liberation and the growing "one night stand" phenomenon
that had its roots in the rather promiscuous habits of some gay disco
goers. On top of that, add the women's movement and civil rights movement
gaining momentum, and you have a recipe that says, sexy, talented,
affluent, black woman will have mass appeal across a lot of markets. Donna
has made it pretty clear in her book and in her public interviews that
that is not who she is. She's an Ordinary Girl.
It's
also important to take into consideration that most of the public
appearances, especially on television are only a small part of the
day. Multiple events are scheduled within the same day, so there
is "non-on" time in between. I don't know if I'd want to
spend my entire day made up for an MGM close-up either! She's not
performing, she's being herself. Let her do that.
She
was very interested in conversation with my friend and joked with
him, musing about where she knew him from. When I told Bruce that
I also had his new album and loved it, he and I both got a knowing
smile and a raised eyebrow from Donna.
So, in closing, I'd say let the lady be what she wants to be. She's earned
it, and it doesn't change her talent. Isn't it time that we started
appreciating Donna and everyone for who they are rather than who we want
them to be? It sounds a little less dysfunctional.
I say, you go girl. I hope I have it down as good as you do when I'm 54.
Hugs,
David Thornton
