Ruby Wax Exposes Celebrity Desperation and Infamous Clashes Ahead of Tour
Ruby Wax, the acerbic comedian and interviewer, is gearing up for her new Absolutely Famous UK tour with a candid look back at her most notorious encounters. In an exclusive preview, she reveals the raw and often unsettling truths behind her interviews with celebrities like Sarah Ferguson, Donald Trump, and Pamela Anderson.
Regrets Over Sarah Ferguson's 'Unhinged' Fame Quest
One of Ruby Wax's biggest regrets stems from her 1996 interview with Sarah Ferguson, the former Duchess of York. Invited to Ferguson's Surrey home, Wax describes the experience as witnessing "the disease of fame in its purest form." She recalls, "I feel terrible about it. She was desperate for fame. There you see the disease in its purest form. She would do anything for it. It was unhinged." This revelation highlights the darker side of celebrity culture that Wax often explored on her BBC show, When Ruby Wax Met.
Donald Trump's Gold Bidet and Presidential Ambitions
In 2000, Ruby Wax interviewed Donald Trump, then a New York real estate magnate, aboard his private jet. The encounter was far from glamorous. Wax recounts, "It was the worst interview I had ever done in my life. We got on his private jet and he had a gold bidet and a toilet. Urination at its finest." Despite her efforts to charm him, Trump was unimpressed. At the end of the interview, he declared his desire to become president, which Wax initially laughed off, thinking he was joking. This led to Trump demanding her removal, showcasing the tension that made for compelling television.
Pamela Anderson's Smart Side and Tom Hanks' Ease
Not all interviews were fraught with conflict. Pamela Anderson, a guest on the show's first series, impressed Wax with her intelligence, contrary to her public image. "Pamela was really smart. You see her now and you knew she would be that smart. She was just not this image," Wax says. Anderson even shared intimate details, such as her favorite sex positions and a swing over her grand piano. In contrast, Hollywood star Tom Hanks was a breeze to interview, as was Imelda Marcos, who proudly displayed her shoe collection.
OJ Simpson and the Quest for Confession
Ruby Wax also tackled tougher subjects, like OJ Simpson, who was acquitted of murder in 1995. In a marathon 17-hour interview, Wax attempted to get Simpson to confess, citing his dissociative identity disorder. "Part of him knows he killed Nicole and part of him doesn't. If he took a lie detector test he would pass," she explains. The interview included bizarre moments, such as Simpson screaming insults at a judge's house and women lining up to go home with him, illustrating the complex allure of infamy.
BBC Veto and Moving On
Wax's chat show ended in 1998 after BBC bosses vetoed her plans to interview controversial figures like Col Gaddafi and Yasser Arafat. "I wanted more guests like murderers and despots," she says. "The BBC said 'no. You are a comedian. Just stick to celebrities'. I thought 'I am out of here'." Despite this, she has no regrets and continues to connect with new generations, as seen during her stint on I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here!, where she bonded with younger stars like Aitch and Angry Ginge.
Ruby Wax's Absolutely Famous UK tour starts on March 25, promising more insights into the world of celebrity and fame. For tickets, visit her official website.
