Janice Malone of THE SCOOP
interviews Nona Gaye
New York Voice Inc./
"Nona was born with her
eyes open," says her mother Jan Gaye.
"She was looking around, very aware, very alert. A friend of mine said 'This
baby has a very old soul.' She was so sure that Nona's soul had been here before...' It's not unusual for gifted
entertainers to be described in such an aesthetic manner. It seems they are
literally born to be performers. Nona Gaye knows
she was to be an artist. "I've always known. This is all I can see myself
doing." she says.
One might say for Nona it's all
in the genes--genetically speaking, that is. With her father being the
legendary Marvin Gaye it would
seem abnormal for her not to have talent. Nona's debut album, "Love for the Future," gave evidence
that the
The album caught the attention of the guy formerly known as Prince. He was
impressed enough to work with Nona
on her next upcoming album and to also invite her to do a duet on his
"Love Sign" track. Has their professional association really turned
into a personal thing? Read on as Nona
Gaye shares the details about
her career and other tidbits about her life.
The SCOOP: In addition to singing, don't
you also model?
NONA: Yes, I've been modeling
for about ten months now, so it's still quite exciting to me. Since I'm 5'10', I
guess it was sort of the natural thing for me to do. I haven't done that many
assignments yet. But I've done an ad for Armani. I'm still kinda
having a problem keeping my weight down to modeling size. To me, I've always
had a little weight problem. I tend to overeat every once in a while. My agent
sometimes gets a little upset with me about it.
THE SCOOP: It's difficult to see that you have any kind of weight problem.
NONA: Well, its not your typical
normal weight problem. But it is if you're a model. People in the modeling
industry just want you to be ultrathin for
everything. And when I want to lose a few pounds, I just simply don't eat. I
also enjoy running. But doing the Armani ad really came by accident. I was
doing a photo shoot for the Italian version of Glamour magazine. And the
photographer recommended me for the Armani assignment.
THE SCOOP: What was your mom's (Jan Gaye)
initial reaction about you going into show business?
NONA: She was quite apprehensive
at first because she knows what the business is all about and how many sharks
are out there. I really think that she was scared for me because I was 16 at
the time. But now she knows that I really want this and I'm not stopping until
I get my career to the exact point that I'm striving for. I've always wanted to
be in show business. It was either acting, singing or dancing and nothing else.
I've got some acting-related projects that will be released very soon. I can't
give too many details, but I can say it's for both TV and film.
THE SCOOP: Since you grew up in a show business family was it a breeze doing
your first album?
NONA: Not at all. But this next
album is now so easy. That first album was just so difficult. I had problems
expressing myself musically when other people were around--other people like
the producers. But this time around, since I'm working with Prince, I have no
problems at all.
THE SCOOP: So what is it about working with Prince that seems to bring out the
best in artists?
NONA: He's just magical when
he's in the studio working with you. I mean it's when you hear the music, you
just can't deny it. So I had to just belt out the music and I couldn't hold it
in.
THE SCOOP: How did you and Prince first meet?
NONA: It's a really long story,
but I'll shorten it. We first met at a record company function and it kinda started from there. We got to be friends and later we
started working together...I had been such a big fan of his. When we had our
first conversation, it was such a wonderful experience for me because I was
always such a fan. I was a little, just a little bit, nervous in doing the
"Love Sign" duet with him. But he made me feel so comfortable.
THE SCOOP: Is there a possibility that you will tour with Prince?
NONA: I have no idea. But if you
find out before I do, let me know! (laughs) But in case if I'm asked, I'm
ready.
THE SCOOP: So is it true that you and Prince are a hot item?
NONA: I don't know about all
that. Please don't get me into that whole situation. (she laughs) I don't
really listen to all of those tabloid type stories. Somebody called and told me
that I was in the Star magazine on a picture with Prince. I was really shocked.
I've never really discussed it with him. That was the first time I've ever been
in a tabloid before. It was funny. Prince and I have never even discussed all
of this gossip about us. I'll just say people shouldn't believe everything they
read.
THE SCOOP: Are there any plans for you to do an album project with your
father's music in a similar format the way Natalie Cole did with her father?
NONA: I think it would be better
to wait a few more years before I do anything like that. I'd like to really
firmly establish myself musically, the way that Natalie did with her career. I
would want the public to see or hear what I can do musically as Nona Gaye and then take on such a project, which would be such an honor
for me to do.
THE SCOOP: Have you had to overly prove yourself because you're Marvin Gaye's daughter?
NONA: Oh yes, many times. People
still sometime make those kind of, 'oh she's getting to do this or that because
of who her father is' type of comments. But you have to just keep moving right
along, work hard and harder and keep proving yourself. I'm usually just myself
and I do the best that I can with what God gave me.
THE SCOOP: Do you think your father would've wanted you to be in show business?
NONA: I have a feeling that
maybe he would've liked for me to. But in a way, I think one part of him
wouldn't have wanted me to. I think because I'm the baby in the family and he
would've been worried about me, as all fathers are.
THE SCOOP: I asked your mother this question. What's two of your favorite among
your father's songs?
NONA: One is The Sparrow on the "Here My
Dear" album. The other is Jan.
THE SCOOP: Those were the exact two songs that your mother also selected.
NONA: Are you serious? I can't
believe it. I had no idea. That just blows me always--really.
THE SCOOP: So other than your album and modeling, what are your immediate
plans?
NONA: I'm writing a movie
script, and I'm learning how to play the bass guitar. There aren't that many
female bass players. I think it would be real funky. I'm ready to just go out
on the stage and tear it up! And I don't mind breaking any fingernails--nails, smails - who cares?
THE SCOOP: Other than Prince, which famous person have you been most impressed
with meeting?
NONA: There have been many, but
believe it or not, I was so excited about meeting Richard Simmons. I swear, I
was just so happy to meet him because he was one of the most genuine men I've
ever met. I saw him in a hotel lobby and he gave me a hug and told me how much
he loved my father's music. And I was really so exited about meeting Tina
Turner. The person who introduced me to her introduced me by saying, 'Tina,
this is Marvin Gaye's daughter.'
So Tina said, 'No, that's not her name.' She said, 'What's your name, dear? and
I said, Nona. So she said
'That's her name and that's how she should be introduced.' And I thought that
was just so respectful and nice for her to acknowledge me that way. I'll always
admire her.