I had the pleasure of interviewing the resilient and driven Jonathan Jaxson. He has worked with some of Hollywood’s greatest names as well as major players in the reality TV realm. On his resume you’ll find radio DJ, host, TV anchor/reporter, Hollywood publicist and now author with the release of a new tell all book!
· We’re excited about your most recent accomplishment and new tell-all book coming out today entitled “Don’t You Know Who I Am Yet?” Can you give us a brief glimpse into what the readers are in for when they pick up DYKWIAY? JJ: The book starts off with my childhood, and my own desires for fame and what drove me and how I became the head of PR for the Backstreet Boys at 17. It takes you along my journeys as a publicist, my reality TV time, how one becomes famous through a publicist, the dirty work of a publicist and also SOME of my encounters along the way.
· Can you give us some of the celebrities you dish on in your book? JJ: Well, there are many throughout my story…But here is a quick list of some: Kim Zolciak, Adrienne Bailon, Stephanie Leigh Schlund (Hunger Games: Catching Fire), LeAnn Rimes, Aiden Turn (All My Children), DaBrat, Rosie O’Donnell, Diana Ross’ Daughter, Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears, Cuba Gooding Jr., and soo many more.
· What were some of the most surprising things you found out about the celebrities you have worked for? Their quirks? The spirit of giving back and helping others out? JJ: Oh well, there is nothing that surprises me anymore. The book is very honest and revealing, not only about myself, but my experiences along the way. I am going to leave this for you to read the book and talk about 😉
· Other media sources are reporting from your book that your former client Adrienne Bailon staged her own leak of the nude pictures in an effort to create a name for herself and get from up under the Disney mainframe. How much publicity from a client is real versus a carefully staged publicity stunt? How much say does a client have in their publicity campaigns? JJ: Adrienne came to me and wanted out of the Disney spotlight. She had learned through people she was with at the time that she could leverage the same type of fame through some sort of scandal. Clients always have the first say, and then it is a meeting of the minds. Everything in Hollywood is calculated. For instance, most of the major celebrity stories that come out in the press happen on Mondays, because that’s when they get the most PR. It is part timing and part the subject matter.
· Can you give us an “insiders” tip on how to determine the truth versus the “stretched truth” of a pr stunt when reading the headlines? JJ: This is a hard question, because truly one will NEVER know. Unless we’re talking veterans like George Clooney and others who aren’t in any form looked at for their behaviors.
· Now you know I have to ask about the publicity stunt queen, Kim Kardashian, as your former client… Do you discuss her in your new book? Can you tell us how the lawsuit she filed against you ended because to me the 2011 lawsuit seemed like it was based upon your word vs. her word? JJ: There had only been two lawsuits I have been involved in, one with a blogger and the other with former client Kim Zolciak. What was planted out there to ruin my name was based purely on the fact I had spoken my own opinions and had very little merit. This story was sooo far fetched from the other side, but I had no control as this individual seemingly owns a portion of every magazine, website, etc. It was a very dark place for me to be so out of control and the center of attention. I attempted suicide and had a major wake up call and thought I would leave the business for good, but I gave it another two years or so until finally saying goodbye to Hollywood celebrities.
· From working as a reporter at local TV stations in Atlanta and Jacksonville to becoming a celebrity publicist, what made you decide you wanted to become a publicist? JJ: I started PR at 15. But really gained momentum at 17. In 2008 I wanted to be part of something with much more substance, so I took to TV news. I love being a voice for others that don’t have one or just simply putting a smile on someone’s face. I eat, live and sleep TV news and hope to rejoin a station some where local on the east coast soon.
· Now seeing that you have had quite a few clients as reality TV stars, would you like to star in your own reality TV show someday? JJ: I have done my own reality show, where I got married on Bravo back in 2006. In the past six months I have been approached by a few different producers about doing my own reality show…But nothing that is up my alley yet. If I did a reality show it would be completely raw and not made to make me look good. It would be true, old fashioned reality TV!
· What is in the future for Jonathan Jaxson? JJ: To be back on TV News anchoring at the news desk or co-hosting a radio show somewhere. I love both and this time it’s about me. I am burnt out on helping others; it’s my time to shine!
You can find out more about Jonathan and how to purchase Jonathan’s book on his site www.dontyouknowwhoiamyet.com
The Toyana Times 