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 Ashlee. Solange. Listen up. There's no need to marry pseudo-rock stars or join the pregnancy parade to step out of a famous sibling's shadow—all you need is a lesson from Ms. Roslyn Kind.
"Give it time, and they will know the difference," she says on comparisons to Barbra Streisand, her big sister. And realize they did—with a new CD, a national tour, an upcoming TV appearance and an attitude Disney execs would kill for, she's proven herself a star all her own. Take out your notepads, girls!
INSTINCT: Your career has spanned over 30 years. Let's take a trip back to the beginning, when you started out as a teen…
ROSLYN KIND:
No, I started out as a baby! It was mind-boggling. I don't think I quite believed it. I mean, I remember doing The Ed Sullivan Show and I didn't even know where to look! Do I look at the lights? Do I look in the camera? Things were happening fast. I got my record deal before I even graduated high school, and I was actually recording my first album the afternoon of my graduation.
What were you like back then?
As a kid, I was much quieter and the real side of me, which can be funny and bold, I kept inside. As I got older, I became more outspoken. I would just trust what was in my head and blurt it out. When I was very young, I had a manager who controlled all that. And I remember the first time I said something unscripted on stage, he said to me, "What was that? You didn't tell me you were gonna say that!" I said, "Neither did I!"
Was he mad?
Yeah! There was pressure from managers back then. So, now, where I am professionally, there is a freedom for me to be me. It all comes with experience. It's about really growing into your own.
And you have. You're smack in the middle of a tour (dates available on www.roslynkind.com). How's that going?
It's going very well, thanks. I was off for a while and, now, I'm getting re-established again in the world. It's great being back.
One of your concerts, scheduled on October 11, is called "Divas Simply Singing." How do you feel about the word "diva"?
I thought it was Divas Simply Singing. [Laughs] Well, in a lot of places the connotation is "Oh, she thinks she's full of it," but actually, a diva is a singer, and it was mostly referred to opera singers years ago.
So no Mariah-esque requests?
For me, it's not an attitude, it's just what I do for a living. Champagne is not necessary. [Laughs] It's really about when I'm onstage. I love when I see the reaction on people—that's the pay-off. You can feel they are open enough to share with you when they stand up and applaud—sometimes I cry.
You cry on stage?
I get very emotionally tied. I love touching people's hearts. I love making people happy. I get that feeling onstage, and if I see somebody who looks like they're having a problem inside, I work hard to make them smile. I'm just very empathic that way.
You've come a long way from being a young, scared little girl on The Ed Sullivan Show.
Young, scared and chubby! I was a chubby little girl from Brooklyn. When I was 14, I was 189 pounds. And I was incredibly shy. Therefore, I thought would never get into show business. Even when I signed with RCA, they said, "You gotta lose more weight, you gotta lose more weight." I had lost weight, but they wanted me to be thinner and thinner. Well, I said, "Look at Cass Elliot! She's doing okay, and look at her."
You have a famous sibling, Barbra Streisand. How did you deal with people who compare you to her?
Well, what can I do to stop it? I knew that I wasn't and it takes time. It was hard enough, because, you know, we're family, and everyone looks for similarities. There are some, but there are a lot of differences. Over the years, people realize and say, "Oh my God, now I know the difference."
Current stars like Ashlee Simpson and Solange Knowles seem to both be trying to do what you've managed to do—break into their own. What advice would you give them?
Love it enough to stick it through, because it can be difficult. I have
a sister who I'm very proud of. She is the true essence of the term
superstar. I think that term is used a little too loosely on a lot of
people. You know, like the word love. For me, I think it's handed down
too easily, and I think it should be reserved for those who really
deserve it.
Speaking of, what do you think about all the scandal-prone young starlets of today?
Obviously, I don't agree with their actions. I was brought up to be a
very nice lady, the girl next door. I never went through wild years. I
was always basically very protected until I was able to protect myself
and there were certain things I wouldn't do. I was not the kind who
would sleep around!
I was at Outfest this year, and the closing night movie was TruLoved—the gays loved it. Your song, "Hold On While You Can," was featured in it.
I love the song. My previous musician wrote it especially for my voice.
We talked about it, and I think that, aside from the fact it was a
coming-out story for gays, it's really speaks to changes in life and
the acceptance of how the world is changing. I think the song and the
movie are both very universal.
Amen. How do you feel about your strong gay following?
Honey, they're the ones that throw me roses when I'm onstage! They're
great! They make their joy known, where some people may be quiet about
it.
You've accomplished so much already. What are some future goals you have?
I've always wanted a TV series. I recently did a tiny little scene with
Donna Mills in an upcoming Hallmark movie (airing October 18 and 24).
It's one little scene, but it was so great and it's starting me back in
that area of entertainment. I mean, I was with ABC Paramount in the
beginning of the '80s and I remember doing my pilot—I lost two clothing
sizes in the course of the one week we were rehearsing. I had a blast.
You've got so much going on, girl. Would you ever consider a reality TV show?
I don't know! I'm kinda bored with reality shows, but I better watch what I say! [Laughs]
It's a funny thing. It's okay for your personal friends and family to
know you, but I don't know if it's okay for the world to know you in
that way. I miss the entertainment of yesteryear: getting into
something else that made you serene and happy, the fantasy, the
romance. But what's that show? Gene Simmons: Family Jewels—I've watched that a couple times. It's funny.
As are you, Roz! You have such an admirable attitude!
Sometimes things get tough and you don't understand why, but that's
life. And then it can take an amazing turn just as fast. Somehow,
you've got to keep faith, you've got to keep positive. Just live each
day, and do what you love.
For more Roz, visit www.roslynkind.com or www.scottstander.com.
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Instinct Online 
written by beezie on October 02, 2008
Insightful! Love it!
written by Sharnae on October 03, 2008
This interiew is so delightful! It's very imformative.