Vanessa-Mae: Saying Power On String
See for the direct link to my special Hello Magazine featuring page:
Vanessa-Mae in Hello Magazine
Here are some highlights of what she is saying:
1 On her stalker
She considers it as spooky because it is going on for 10 years now and David Martin broke all restraining order so far. She hopes he will seek help for his obsession, not only for her to be more safe but also for himself.
2 Did she ever wished not have pursued a musical career
She worked hard to become what she is today, and because of that she can take everything at her own pace now without feeling guilty.
3 When did she and her parents realise she was gifted with a special talent
At the age of about 7 years. She feels now that she was constantly trying to prove herself to her mother. She wonders how special she would have been to her mother without her talent.
4 Did her talent robbed her from her childhood
Only slightly. There is always an element of sacrifice in any talent. She loved her violin in her teens, it has become an addiction which she could never abandon.
5 How does she remember her mothers role
Her was 21 years of age when Vanessa-Mae was born. When Vanessa-Mae's talent became apparent, her mother channelled her own missed musical ambitions into her daughter. Vanessa-Mae describes her mother as very ambitions and single minded, a focus she conveyed to Vanessa-Mae.
6 On their departure at her 21st birthday
This was the biggest step in her life so far. Vanessa-Mae realised that it was inevitable. Her mother meant everything to her, since she hardly had contact with friends of her own age. At 8, she was only going to school half a day in the week, and at 12 she only went one day every two or three weeks. and at 14, Vanessa-Mae was a full time musician. She was tutored by private teachers.
7 What went wrong between her and her mother
At 20, she felt the focus became overbearing. She saw no other way than to accept the inevitable and split form her mother as manager, so that they could both have a life with a normal mother and daughter relationship. But her mother didn't take it too well. Today, they only speak over the phone at birthdays and Christmas, and they seldom see each other. Her mother has divorced from Graham Nicholson, her stepfather. Vanessa-Mae sees her stepfather once or twice a week and she is also very close to her grandmother. Vanessa-Mae hasn't seen her natural father since 1996-1997. She doesn't even know where he lives today, and she feel no animosity towards him: 'he just wasn't meant to be a father.' Vanessa-Mae knows her mother is hugely proud. She is closer to her stepfather than to both her natural parents.
8 On her relation with Lionel Catalan
They coincidently met during skiing holidays in Val D'Isdere, April 1999 and Vanessa-Mae quickly felt she had special feeling for him. Lionel at that time had no idea who she was. She describes Lionel as chilled, calm and stable, where she is much more frenetic. Lionel soon moved to England for 8 months, which was a very great step because Lionel grew up surrounded by nature and the open. Lionel finds London great, but he and Vanessa-Mae go to the countryside whenever possible. Lionel is a wine expert and he imports wine from France mainly for private clients. He is in no way involved in Vanessa-Mae's career but he is very supportive. After the new album was finished, Lionel and Vanessa-Mae went on holidays to Bermuda followed by one week of skiing in Val D'Isere.
9 How does she see herself in 10 years
She wouldn't feel it as a failure if she was never married. She has no particular maternal feelings yet, but she thinks she might be married at age 35 and have a child of her own or an adoptive child because she feels cosest to her stepfather.
10 Where will she be professionally in about 10 years
She feels lucky because her work is her hobby, and not so many people can say that. She can't imagine ever to give up her violin.
There are some very nice photos that are new to us:
Vanessa-Mae portrayed in the back yard of a (her own??) house. Her long black beautiful hair is hanging free on her back. Vanessa-Mae's red lipstick looks nice with the purple red colour of her blouse
Vanessa-Mae shown in close up wearing a nice green long sleeved blouse. Again her hair is gorgeous. The smooth make-up covering her face looks fabulous on her as is the fine dark liner defining her eyes. The red lipstick accentuates the fullness of her lips nicely. The tiny necklace is adequately as decoration on this nice and beautifully girl.
Vanessa-Mae together with her friend Lionel Catalan in close-up. Vanessa-Mae's large decorative earrings look nice.
Vanessa-Mae with her mother somewhere in 1998. Notice Vanessa-Mae's smouldering expressive eye make-up. In those times, Vanessa-Mae always used lots of dark shadow, liner and lots ofblack mascara. It was always obvious to see that she was made up. Also, Vanessa-Mae is wearing a beautiful long peach coloured dress with nice flowery embroiders
Vanessa-Mae posing in a nice long white dress with Escher type print design with blue birds with open V-neck. Very noticeable are Vanessa-Mae smoothly complexioned visage, her red lipstick and discretely defined eyes. She has the same necklace as in photo 2.
I really find this interview so touching and sweet. I feel sad about what she has gone through in her life. Vanessa-Mae didn't had it the easy way so far. In many aspects, she is priveleged but life has been tough on her too.
I think she deserves our admiration for turning into such a fine person. Many others would have become rebelious and freaked out into alcohol and or drugs.
Vanessa-Mae is a very strong minded girl with a firm character.