Beautiful voice or not she is still a bitch if a normal person did that would that be ok? Of course not! Just because you are a star doesn't mean you are any better tab anyone else!
Laurie Brown...yea, I saw this interview, when it aired on CBC Toronto, Laurie did a similar thing with Aretha Franklin - gourding her and then saying: but I was just being a journalist, thing is, she is not. I wondered then, if all those years of interviewing music "stars" for Much Music didn't do something to her and her attitude towards musicsians. She clearly has no respect for Ms Battle (nor for Aretha Franklin), which says so much more about her than her interview subjects.
A skilled interviewer would have obtained the information she was seeking with tact. Good for Battle -she did the right thing by walking out. This is more of a reflection of the poor skills and behavior of pop media personalities than it is anything else.
Of course she's difficult to work with. Ms. Battle strives for excellence in her performances and I bet she accepts nothing less from those around her. Good for her!!
I can't believe the posters here are so quick to side with a person who spent years bullying subordinates and acting like a spoiled child. What happened to accountability?
I can't believe the posters here are so quick to side with a person who spent years bullying subordinates and acting like a spoiled child. What happened to accountability?
There were a lot better ways for this reporter to handle the question. If the reporter said "I want you to correct the perception that because you are such a perfectionist, you are perceived as being difficult." If she framed it like that, Battle would have jumped at the opportunity to set the record straight.
Yeah, very tacky of her to walk out. All she had to say forcefully and with a smile on her face, I will not discuss that...or something. To walk out just reinforced her already bad reputation of being difficult.
@racourdav I think everyone needs to leave her alone for not commenting. Who would honestly say "Yes. I have terrible behavior". It's not gonna happen!
The whole purpose of this interview was to provoke Ms. Battle. Completely unnecessary. You don't get into the Met by singing Mary Had A Little Lamb. So what if she isn't with the opera anymore. She will still have a future with that beautiful voice. I don't blame Ms. Battle for walking away. I will always listen to her sing. She certainly isn't lacking fans, but I bet this interviewer is IF she is still employed.
Tacky interviewee, for sure. Misbehavior or not, Battle's voice is still the best, and I love to hear her sing. I was a little surprised by her speaking voice - not what I expected. I greatly regret that I've never heard her sing in person, only on CDs and YouTube. -J:
her walking away just reinforced the fact that she was difficult temperalmental and downright rude in her dealings with people as a professional . Answer the question Thats all she had to do ! Look at her career after she was fired from the Met ! There was no career and thats so unfortunate - Who in any of our memories was fired from the Met Opera ?
@donpkra I think we need some clarity on the phrase "there was no career" after the Met. She's still a leading box office draw as a recitalist, has recorded at least six albums and made appearances on other albums - two of them movie soundtracks. Not to mention that she is still debuting places and just performed at the Lincoln Theatre less than a month ago to honor the recipient of Lincoln Medal of honor. Over is an overstatement!
@donpkra With that kind of cheap comment, you should try to get a job with this interviewer... And just for the record, Maria Callas was fired from the Met too, also for being too much perfectionist. But you don't have to believe me, darlin, watch her interview with Mike Wallace. Callas and Battle, the greatest sopranos that ever sang at the Met, and they were both misinterpreted and fired by stupid Managers.
Bitch, you won't get to ask any other question, you are rude as hell! She had already stated what she would "NOT" discuss, but yet you tried to go there on the sneak and got a Diva's ass to kiss! Cheap shot you BITCH!
@marfulton Ditto.. I could not have said it better myself. Being DIFFICULT to work with? hmm....Uh, probably she is difficult to work with because so many people are Lesser mortals.~ the Interviewer was immensely disrespectful. Kathleen was gracious and pleasant and had made it CLEAR to the nitwit .". I will not respond to questions about my Reputation.! Her commitment to excellence speaks for itself Diva's are hardest on themselves. Shine On Kathleen. Let them eat poo cake.. LOL
The reporter herself said that Ms. Battle would not respond to questions like that. AND she had every right to walk out as she did (good for her). With that said, I guess having her previous unprofessional behavior constantly stigmatized is the price she is paying. Like they say- Karma is only a bitch if you are. But what an enchanting, and talented singer AND actor she is- One can't deny the fact! While there is blame to share, the reporter should not have crossed the line.
1. her career is not over, i saw her in concert my sophomore year , 2. jesse norman is not better than her and ger voice is not" small" as one of you just said. 3. she never tells her side of the story pertaining to her reputation, so who is nyone to judge based on whar they hear... music needs to be about the persons talent and ability to live up to certain standards. and the fact is, Kathleen Battle is extremely talented. when did that become insufficient?
She could have given a simple and gracious response. Or laughed it off. The fact is she did have a terrible reputation for her unprofessional behavior. It's almost legendary and there is no need to even embellish it. And that is what essentially ended her career.
This reporter was actually giving her a way to explain away that bad behavior. She should have taken the opportunity.
All of you are such blindly devoted fans of Kathy; she had a pretty singing voice but that was it; it was a small pretty voice, even the bigger better singing voiced Jessye Norman didn't behave unprofessionally & out of control diva like Kathy was. Do you guys not know she was FIRED from the Met (like Callas was) because she stepped all over everyone. James Levine let her get away with stuff until he said "enough". She antagonized all her co-singers. All she had was a pretty little voice bah
That interviewer has an agenda and is obviously just trying to rub in how she hurt Kathleen with the "quality control" comment. "Too bad" the interviewer is just a troll.
The interviewer was so rude to an accomplished artist. I would say that the tone of the questions that the interviewer asked was very provocative and unfriendly from the beginning.
I'm not believing the hype about Kathleen's behavior.We have yet to hear her side of the story.anyway.idc about her behavior so long as she doesn't do anything creepy/illegal or say anything blatantly offensive.she's an astouding musician.point blank.
I have heard many first-hand accounts of Ms. Battle's behavior, but if it was agreed prior to the interview that you weren't going to bring it up - YOU DON'T BRING IT UP. One must realize though, to be banned from the MET, her attitude was far more than just "Diva" kind of behavior.
I really, really hate the reporter, I mean she was just out to attack poor Kathleen who was gentle enough to ignore the reporter's question. This was very polite, what more does she want, she just when ahead to say "I don't think it is difficult question". She is so lucky that Kathleen is not on CRACK cos if she was, she would have gotten the beating of her life.
I don't think that Battle's behaviour isn't something that should be addressed, but as soon as the reporter realized she was upset with the question being asked she should have apologized immediately. Her comments were degrading... "I don't think that was a difficult question." Battle decided that it was. Case closed. (Again... not a supporter of her behaviour.)
yeah - this reporter was weird- WEIRD I would have done the exact same thing... and at least she just got up, took off her microphone... she didn't over react even though I would have found it hard not to want to slap the damn reporter.
For me this just confirms that Kathy was difficult and a temperamental diva. The many accounts of her unprofessional behavior from fellow singers she worked with (like Carol Vaness whom Kathy kicked out of a dressing room), to stagehands whom Battle bossed around, her being late to rehearsals, refusing to carpool with other singers, etc. She was fired from the Met for a reason, people. And this interview was as late as '99, she had not been singing professionally for years
Many performers often have a temperamental nature, it's probably what gives them the edge on others.
I saw Kathleen perform @ the Sydney opera house a few years ago and I can only think of one word to describe both her performance and the Artist " MAJESTIC " !
I think the Reporter owes Kathleen an apology for ambushing her the way in which she did.
If Kathleen had performed in a similar manner to the Reporter, she would have been booed off stage, not given a standing ovation !
This interview said it all. Now I know why they say she has a reputation as being difficult to work with. I think she is very self-centered and conceited.
An agreement breeched is an interview lost! Is this woman still a reporter? Miss Battle showed class by walking away and not putting her in check! I'd walked too..
I remember this, I felt so badly for Ms. Battle. Laurie Brown of the CBC conducted this interview. Kathleen Battle has one of the most beautifully lyrical voices ever and to have been treated like this was, and still is, shameful.
The lives of an opera singers/ divas/divos, whatever you want to call them, are very demanding and difficult ones. Dealing with the expectations of the public, in addition to your own finite physical resources, does not always bring out "the best" in people. People tend to forget that artists are human beings with the personalities, souls, and human limitations we all share. It's something for all you e-critics out there to remember.
@elainebmack Your point is well said - It is the interviewer who had emitted bad behavior by breaching the agreement and then had the audacity to smooth it over by saying it wasn't a difficult question. Miss Battle was a gem throughout; she gracefully commanded the POWER of silence in the most lady-like form. I respect her for that.
@Jcarolinajr, i totally agree, resorting to name-calling is reveals more about the namecaller: i.e. NO CLASS. Battle graciously agreed to the interview, only to be put in the awkward position of having to explain herself. She could have made the same mistake as other famous artists & stooped to the crass level of the interviewer by RESPONDING. But she had the self-control - and the class - to simply remove herself. THAT is why, @jamaicanvisa, the interviewer DESERVES to be attacked!
Why are you all attacking the interviewer? clearly the" interviewee" (LOL!!!) is a bitch. She is a fantastic singer BUT she has an attitude problem. Thats why she was kicked from the Metropolitan Opera. I believe the question was pertinent and Kathleen should have answered the question. She has no tact what-so-ever. I am soooo pissed!!!!
Hey, I remember this interview when it happened. laurie Brown (the interview) is disingeneous, she pulled a similar stunt on Aretha Franklin. It does not show in this clip, but in both inteviews, she goreded the subject. I recall Aretha not being very pleased either. I wondered at the time if it had something to do with Laurie's career interviewing musicians for MuchMusic. I lost respect for her during these two episodes. She kept goreding Ms Battle. You do not see that in this interview.
I love her voice but it is truly her attitude that got her pushed out of some opera house's. As an operatic singer myself I can tell you that often times, and i've seen it happen, someone with a worse voice will get chosen over someone with a better voice simply because their reputation of being easier to work with is in their favor. It doesnt matter how wonderful of a singer you are. If you have a bad attitude your career will be more limited. Her reactions here were terribly unprofessional.
Why the name-calling? Who's angry here, and why? Is it because no artist ought to allow themselves to feel entrapped; and so, the only way to effect "quality control" is to demonstrate by removing oneself from an non-qualitative situation. If Battle had slapped the questioner think of those outcomes. Child, please. Give the world a break.
@dogisgreat1 : If you think Battle was justified to walk, then why do you say that it didn't look good? It looked great to me. I wouldn't have been so polite & restrained. I would have slapped the interviewer. How would that look to you? Who cares?
Oooo lots of comments... many artistic people have gathered reputations for being a little "difficult" - think of the Hollywood legends who have emerged as tyrannical bullies in supposed tell alls by their children, did that diminish their "legend". Melba was apparently quite frightening in her later years, read Rosa Ponselle's comments after meeting her, so why does everyone pick on KB. Youtube has many examples of her wonderful singing, go watch those and enjoy the singing...
I read your comment and wanted to respond. People make their own "beds" so to speak and Ms. Battle publicly made hers. That is the price one pays when you have a gift and are blessed enough to get celebrity too. Consider the sad reality that became her life when, pushing everyone beyond the ability to tolerate her, she was fired from the MET which had been her home! And for us, the greatest tragedy, we were robbed of the best years of her life. All because of arrogance. Sad.
@laddnyc Life is full of odd co-incidences, I happened to listen to Ms B on a cd last night and you know it passed through my mind that it was such a pity that audiences missed out on her because she couldn't "reign in " her temperament. I guess we will never know quite what was going through her head, I wonder if she has regrets now. I still enjoy her recordings and have happy memories of her live, in the end it is truly sad that her career was affected and I guess she too must know that now.
@Liekkek - This post comes across as vulgar and racist, because of the language. None of us wish to be those things -- even towards people who, for whatever reason, real or perceived, we don't care for. What do you gain by spreading ideas such as those mentioned in the above post?
It is indeed a great thing to your true, authentic self. Some lucky to have seen the first 27 minutes of this interview where Kathleen Battle is still warm, funny, open. It's unfortunate that the entire interview is no longer available.
It's "difficult" for anyone to deal with unethical individuals who feign unawareness that a question was out of scope of the agreed interview & who know nothing of keeping one's word or ethical journalism that asks open-ended, non-leading questions.
What a wonderful thing it is to show one's authentic self. Some of us are fortunate to have heard 27 minutes of an interview where Kathleen Battle is still warm, funny, open. Unfortunate that the entire interview is no longer available.
It's "difficult" for anyone to deal with unethical individuals who feign unawareness that a question was out of scope of the agreed interview & who know nothing of keeping one's word or ethical journalism that asks open-ended, non-leading questions.
What a wonderful thing it is to show one's authentic self. Some of us are fortunate to have heard 27 minutes of an interview where Kathleen Battle is still warm, funny, open. Unfortunate that the entire interview is no longer available.
It's "difficult" for anyone to deal with unethical individuals who feign unawareness that a question was out of scope of the agreed interview & who know nothing of keeping one's word or ethical journalism that asks open-ended, non-leading questions.
KATHLEEN BATTLE OOONCE AGAIN JUST SHOWED THE WORLD HER TRUE SELF... THERE WAS NO RUDENESS IN THAT QUESTION AT AAALL!!! GROW UP PEOPLE! ... AND MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL! LOL
Bad behavior is bad behavior, and both of these women showed it. The interviewer was wrong for going back on her word and and asking the question. Kathleen was wrong for acting like a spoiled brat and, therefore, adding truth to the "difficult" claims by pushing the camera away. She could have laughed it off and answered with a sassy response. The Met was 100% correct to give her a pink slip!
@JumpStreet1983 - Thank you for sharing that. While I agree that one way to respond to a person who behaves dishonestly is to laugh it off or answer with a sassy response, it seems so disingenuous a response.
Artists devoted to art, Kathleen Battle is, gladly share their art and knowledge with people who actually care about art. If they don't, and especially if they betray her trust, she feels hurt and a little angry. If you call that difficult, so be it.
@JumpStreet1983 She didn't have to laugh it off. She was lied to, and probably did just what she said she would. Jumpstreet you should be headed for Congress. You think just like a politician or better yet a Lawyer.
@Daspankster0000 You don't know how I think because you don't know me, period. But I respect your opinion. All I said was that those are just a few ways she could have handled the situation. She's not the first female singer who has been asked if she's demanding or difficult, and she won't be the last. But I do agree that she was lied to if the interviewer agreed not to ask that.
@JumpStreet1983 . I disagree with your view of Ms. Battle's behavior. It was agreed that "the subject" would not be mentioned, yet the interviewer obviously waited to catch Ms. Battle off guard. It wasn't Ms. Battle's job to laugh anything off or provide some "sassy response". She is an artist, not a TV talk show personality, and she did the right thing by walking out. What the interviewer did amounted to entrapment, nothing more.
By the way, my last comment is a more a response to a long history of how the discussions related to Kathleen Battle can turn, not just the recent ones. Come tend to come on here and vilify Kathleen Battle and those who do not see her as the "difficult" person that this interviewer sees, often employing the foulest of language. But, I guess that language can also come from the other side of the fence. Folks. Can we chill out?
People of good will, a humble request. While comments can capture what you feel, it is difficult to listen to you when you SHOUT or call people names. How can any of us accuse someone of being unkind, screaming, and being a bitch, when actually we are the ones behaving that way. It is the very definition of the word Hypocritical.
wow the interviewer is really hot haha i bet the black woman was jealous whoever she was, cos she walked off after being asked an easy question so that must be the only reason (jealousy)
Good for Ms. Battle. If the interviewer had been TOLD topics wouldn't be discussed and it was agreed upon, the interviewer was 100% wrong for asking. I would've walked off too. Sometimes you're the only one who can protect yourself when those around you aren't doing their job.
i agree, if she didn't want to talk about it , she didn't have to. Just because it looked bad meant nothing. How do you know she just wasn't having a bad day?
@jdlcdn What term do they use for male opera singers that are seen as "difficult." Is there a male equivalent for "diva." No, they might call him temperamental and see it as part of his "genius."
I Feel that It wasn't a very professional interview to begin with but it only goes to show that Kathleen battle is a major diva and was rightfully reprimanded for it. I say, Fire more diva's. It didn't look good at all on her part to walk off. She's prob just mad because Every knows she's a bitch now and she can't escape it.
@urgrad03 Well....it is a derogatory term used for mean/ unliked women......but I'm sure your so smart you'll argue with whatever I say. Please, wow me with your witty comments.
I actually agree with Battle’s approach to interviews and commend her for having such resolve to maintain her composure as she exits the room. Most reporters and journalists today are essentially bullies who want to intimidate and instigate their subjects just in order to squeeze their own five minutes from them. Obsessed with fame many of them are. However, Battle does not allow herself to be manhandled by these ruffians; she makes sure they understand their place.
I think the same as dogisgreat1. The interviewers and celebrities agree on the questions way before actually meeting. The journalist is an instigator. Anyone with a vague idea of deductive skills would notice that she was trying to conduct her questions as politely as she could only to throw the very one she really wanted. Quality Control changes to perfeccionism and out of nowhere, Ms. battle becomes a difficult person to work with! I don't care what others might think, I say:"Well done, Ms. B"
Well, Kathleen Battle had made it clear she would not discuss her bad behavior. I personally think the reporter brought it up on purpose just to see if she could get Battle to throw a tantrum in the interview. I mean, that's good journalism -- it gets viewers and creates something compelling. So she succeeded, and all these years later the interview is getting many thousands of views. It's what people wanna see. I'm just sorry it happened at Battle's expense. She didn't deserve it.
can someone please point me to some stories of caucasian opera singers who were dejected and fired and black listed because of their behavior. i often read that they are given the utmost respect for carrying on and being ridiculous divas...is that a matter of race on Kathleen's end. i read that she was once called the "UN" at the Met. that stood for Uppity Negro!!
@rtp1968 Evidently those backstage at The Met! What are you talking about? Was the expletive directed at me? I was merely speaking on her situation in dealing with her fame as a black opera singer in a very white world. That doesn't make me a racist. What is your rationale? Are you an educated individual? I'm confused? What is your level of comprehension?
@couturesixfour - I read that and immediately imagined that the term must have been used by older members of the Met, since both uppity and Negro have long been out of use.
Obviously what you wrote, in reporting a term that others said, is not a reflection of your own thought. What you've been saying in this discussion provides no evidence of racist or uncivil tendencies, which, ironically, can not be said of the accuser.
I definitely think the interviewer could have been a lot more tactful. But storming out like that did nothing to aid Battle's reputation, that's for sure.
SHE SHOULD HAVE ANSWERED. Walking out was not the best thing to do when confronted about her reputation. Even if her response was that she didn't want to discuss it, she should have answered. If the interviewer persisted then she would have had reason to walk out.
okay i feel bad for her but that is un professional u shud grin and bear it and answer properly.. simply say im not answering thata and get them 2 ask anuva question lol
CALLAS WAS ASKED THE EXACT SAME QUESTIONS AND GRACIOUSLY ANSWERED THEM WITH CALM AND DIGNITY. MISS BATTLE S REPUTATION DIDN T FALL FROM THE SKY FOLKS! THAT S ALL I M GONNA SAY... LOL
@miuzefreak I must agree. She acted childishly and without grace. I am an enormous fan of her singing. But a grown woman, who is a celebrity and in the public eye needs to be able to act right when under pressure. Its one thing to have exacting standards, its another thing to be so childish you can't answer a simple, politely asked, question. She is in the wrong.
@miuzefreak I am a huge fan of both Callas and Battle. While I can appreciate the way Callas answered similar questions with calm and dignity I can also appreciate Ms. Battle's walking out of the the interview. With all due respect there's just some lines you never cross with a true Diva!
Oh yes lets all blame it on the interviewer, listen ppl in this she is a down right bitch im not going to surgar coat anything for you, just because you can sing does not mean you have to act like that, in my opinion she is difficult sometimes, but your people skills are way of boo boo. and if you think thgat she was being "attacked ' by the interviewer come on Look at the lady she waas so weak and scared was she that Mean or was kathleen a bitch?
Oh, this interviewer just showed how incompetent and unscrupulous she is. Those helpless pleas at the end, trying to make an extremely weak link between "being difficult" and "quality control"...I'm like, "c'mon, boo...it doesn't take a rocket scientist to find out what you're about: nothing good"...really and honestly, if I were Kathleen, I would've walked too. I'm pretty sure that Kathleen would not have accepted the interview if she knew that she'd be put in the hot seat like that. Terrible
This interviewer is plain old fashion stupid. You don't go back on the agreement during the interview. If quality control was all she was interested in she could have asked the question in another. For example, how do you ensure that the voice retains its quality when all others around you might be pressing you to perform in ways and when you are not comfortable with?
If the reporter agreed not to ask about the issue, she should have kept to the agreement. Ms. Battle had every right to walk off the interview, though it certainly didn't look good to do so.
@dogisgreat1. The Reporter was duplictious and Battle felt betrayed, because she was~ It was meant to humiliate...Battle was an absolute delight up to that moment..
She could have phrased the question.." How Do you protect your voice.? what are the daily practices and disciplines that you work best for you?. The doltish ~awkard reporter was left mumbling and stupified..and then had to announce ..well, we broke our end of the deal...".cuz I am stupid!" .
@dogisgreat1 A reporter who makes any promises to an interviewee as to what questions will or will not be asked during an interview is in fact not a reporter. She had every right to ask the question and Kathleen had every right to walk off. The problem with that solution is that she came off as angry and temperamental. She should have simply stated that she did not want to touch on that specific topic and then asked the reporter to move on. Done and done.
Go to Portsmouth, Ohio, and see where this woman comes from. She has to be a near goddess to have come from that backwater racist dump of a town and yet to have achieved what she has achieved. The pressure of her success must be enormous and far beyond what someone who has not walked in her shoes can imagine. I don't excuse her bad behavior, but I still have great respect for her as an artist who beat a stacked deck to become one of opera's most consistently outstanding performers.
Battle's voice was so very beautiful. It's a shame that she was so difficult to get along with. I think she probably was very difficult. They don't fire someone that talented from the Met without cause. It isn't a racial thing. It's just that her famously bad behavior couldn't be tolerated.
A well-trained voice, or a great natural voice, has nothing to do with the "socialized self", the one who must cope with life and the world around her after they step offstage. The barrage of stories I've heard, from people who worked with her everywhere, seems to be consistent: she is suffering from some deep emotional torment and may be mentally ill. It's nothing to be ashamed of, but if you are treated like a "diva", as many pop stars are, it makes it more difficult for someone to understand.
@sillyboydeux I've changed my view on this. Regardless of the gossip I heard, the reporter is a yellow journalist. She set up this whole interview to lead into this question which waylaid Kathleen's poise and reserve. She had used the word "quality control" in the previous questions, only to be followed by "perfectionism" and "being difficult" later. Madonna, Barbra Streisand, Callas, Jack Nicholson, bla bla. We are not all born to behave like Shirley Temple. The reporter is an ASSHOLE.
@sillyboydeux We are, of course all talking about something of which we don't have first hand knowledge, but your comment about Ms. Battle "suffering from some deep emotional torment" rings true. I've heard that she's made her career her whole life, which is sure to unbalance a person. Still, what a great artist. I feel simple gratitude toward her for the chance to hear such singing. As for her personal life, I can only wish her well without really knowing what's going on.
Real Divas like Leontyne Price, Shirley Bassey and Barbara Cook would have laughed it off, gave a half assed answer and laughingly continued on with the interview. Ladies like Miss Battle, Diana Ross etc all have a chip on there shoulder and I believe it has to do with an inner struggle they have with there race. Face it folks we all are what we are in this world and nothing is going to change that. Embrace who and what you are and Be Happy!!
@myboylollipop09 When Diva Diana's been asked about her perceived attitude/aloofness, she laughed it off saying she didn't think she's too difficult & that she simply has a way she likes her business run. Often attributed the misunderstanding to her gender & mega success. No more, no less and kept it moving. Now Ms. Battle did straight up walk out the middle of the interview after looking hella offended and went on to ignore. I can't say if any of it has to do with an internal racial struggle.
@AnnabellaSteMarie I doubt seriously that the primary consideration is race. I hear that when she was younger she was an absolute JOY to be around in the opera houses by people that taught and performed with her. However, the pressure of being called "perfect" so often, I do believe, has a way of motivating some...and cracking and bending others. I feel that no matter what personality flaws, she's sealed in her position as one of the greatest sopranos ever.
@Grandtenore As do I. I sympathize with people whose gift they must share with the world. Such a heavy burden, but such an honor as well. The one truth? Kathleen Battle is a fabulous sorprano. One of the best...
Utterly absurd. She could have simply said I prefer not to answer the question or given some other answer. But walking off What a brat. Diva or no diva (and I love opera), she acted silly. A TRUE DIVA would have known how to answer that question in her favor.
Thats a DIVA for you...u could feel the fear and trembling in the interviewers voice when she KNEW she had f---ked with Kathleen...Battle was about to do battle..lol..personally, I thought she was gonna hit her!
I read all of the stories about her primadonna behavior - and yes it was bad, but what I'll always remember is the joy she gave me when I heard her as Rosina at the Met many years ago. Nothing can take this away from me.
My information on Miss Battle if by someone who does know. It is that she has a very sensitive emotional state--always has. her gift is, as often, the other side of fragility. James Levine was, so I'm told, able to work with the duality of great singing and emotional fragility. We expect extraordinary people to be ordinary? Some are able, some are not. Do we deny the beauty available to highlight the flaw? Judgments.
My only problem is seeing her fans try to excuse and explain away her abusive behavior , and that's what it is, because she has a great voice. Mistreating people is never okay no matter what your skill set.
Her firing is well documented (Time Magazine, NYT) and including abusing/insulting 60+ year old Met star Rosalind Elias to the point of tears in rehearsals for The Daughter of the Regiment..
@RHP444 I hope this helps educate more people. Mistreating people NEVER is okay..to the point where other professionals won't work with her? And that's not through jealousy. As russzkil says, the attention she gets on stage is probably never going to be enough to fill the hole inside. What a shame.
This interviewer is a fool. Her publicist told you she would not be talking about it - but you asked anyway. It's always"Kathleen's bad behaviour". Yet I have only heard one factual story - the rest is just urban myth - and nonsense. Time will tell. Oh nobody at the MET has behaved badly EVER! Just Kathleen - she is the devil amongst saints right????
Blaming Battle's walkout on the interviewer is preposterous, she was just doing her job. One of the main facts of her career is her long and well-documented history of bad behavior, and KB just proved the point if any more evidence was necessary. KB is a public person who has made a great deal of money at her art. Submitting to an interview and expecting (or demanding) that the subject not come up is foolish and unprofessional. The facts of her behavior are too well known to be in dispute.
You say the facts of her behaviour are too well known. So again I ask - you must be privy to them - so share them with us. Here - tell us the facts - not just the hearsay and a 20 year old bullshit about printing of t-shirts. If you interview anyone - ANYONE be it Meryl Streep or Sandra Bullock their publicist will inquire as to what the line of questioning is - that is an industry norm - you should know that!
@AbeokutaCity1 Hey this is a link to an article in Time Magazine with stories and quotes of her Behavior from the head mannagers of LA opear, Paris Opera, and many others who applauded the mets decision after she was fired. Her temper tantrums are quite well documented.
Moving from the sublime - and KB's voice *was* sublime - to the ridiculous, would anyone defend Amy Winehouse for walking out of an interview in which she was asked about her stints in rehab? It's completely unreasonable to expect a public person of Battle's fame not to be asked about something which is a well-documented fact of her career.
Go and ask Amy Winehouse something she does not want to talk about - that interviewer would be looking for her teeth until today! LOL. It is the way in which this interview was handled - even a kid on the school newspaper wouldn't go at it like that. It is sloppy and it is lame, and in the words of Leontyne Price - "BORING"!
the woman already knew she is notorious for this type of behavior so why test it..the question was stupid she just wanted to talk about her bad behavior..quality control? get the f%*k outta here..and her voice is not ruined she just has some issues that unfortunately did not help her career..
@MrStyle23 - You make a valid point. There was communication on the purpose of the interview and what wouldn't be discussed. "Battle had made it clear...," as you say, had been told in advance; So the interviewer is breaching the ethical journalistic standards, which any reputable journalist would adhere to.
Moreover this questions comes at about minute 27 of a 30 minute interview.
Many celebrities have talking points that do not want to discuss. J Jackson will not discuss her early career.
I find Battle's behavior here indefensible. I am a musician myself, I also worked for years in music management and was privy on 1 occasion to one of her wholly unwarranted tantrums over the contents of her dressing room - in a brand new and spotlessly clean theater, mind you. That was nearly 20 years ago, and she's still pulling these childish stunts even though they have destroyed her career. She's a deeply insecure, spoiled and damaged woman who once had a remarkably lovely voice.
@gtimny - No human has the right to be reduced to one minute of a 30 minute interview.
If you saw the entire interview, you would have seen a warm, open, honest Kathleen Battle.
When a conversation partner breaches our trust, we have every right to remove ourselves. The interviewer was unethical, by trying to earn Kathleen Battle 's trust, then asking a question that was communicated would not be discussed.
You're correct sir. But one should have the right to be reduced to a number of cancellations and a history of unacceptable behavior in the work enviroment ON TOP of a 30 minute interview.
Her refusal to talk about it shows her level of immaturity as well as her knowledge that the behavior which she nonetheless continues to use isn't really acceptable. Fine singer, below-average person.
@clarks1988 - Refusal to discuss a topic can mean a number of things. If you attribute it to immaturity, than what it truly means is that whenever YOU refuse to discuss something, it means you are immature.
The appropriate thing for the interviewer to follow ethical journalistic behavior; when the interviewer was respectful, so was Kathleen. When the interviewer wasn't, Kathleen chose to remove herself.
Rarely anything positive comes from engaging with someone who is not trustworthy.
@clarks1988 - If you consider her removing herself from interviewer who breached ethical standards as "unacceptable behavior", then this is just an example where some judge her to be unacceptable, and others actually think she is doing the right thing. So who is ultimately right?
Volpe's account of the situation struck me as full of double standards; he mentions Pavarotti conducting the conductor in the Elisire, making no negative judgement. Had Battle done the same, he'd have criticised her.
Beautiful voice or not she is still a bitch if a normal person did that would that be ok? Of course not! Just because you are a star doesn't mean you are any better tab anyone else!
MariposaGirl1981 1 week ago
I can understand why she got mad, but they did the same thing many times to Maria Callas and she managed it so well why could Battle do the same?
RonaldBarone 2 weeks ago
Laurie Brown...yea, I saw this interview, when it aired on CBC Toronto, Laurie did a similar thing with Aretha Franklin - gourding her and then saying: but I was just being a journalist, thing is, she is not. I wondered then, if all those years of interviewing music "stars" for Much Music didn't do something to her and her attitude towards musicsians. She clearly has no respect for Ms Battle (nor for Aretha Franklin), which says so much more about her than her interview subjects.
PClaytonHuggins 2 weeks ago
A skilled interviewer would have obtained the information she was seeking with tact. Good for Battle -she did the right thing by walking out. This is more of a reflection of the poor skills and behavior of pop media personalities than it is anything else.
foreigner2thisworld 1 month ago
Oh GET OVER YOURSELF MISS KATHLEEN! lol
miuzefreak 1 month ago
Of course she's difficult to work with. Ms. Battle strives for excellence in her performances and I bet she accepts nothing less from those around her. Good for her!!
Pavarotti48 1 month ago
What a cheap question.the interviewer is the one who comes off unprofessional.
jerrya1979 1 month ago 2
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I can't believe the posters here are so quick to side with a person who spent years bullying subordinates and acting like a spoiled child. What happened to accountability?
LoudGuitr 1 month ago
I can't believe the posters here are so quick to side with a person who spent years bullying subordinates and acting like a spoiled child. What happened to accountability?
LoudGuitr 1 month ago
There were a lot better ways for this reporter to handle the question. If the reporter said "I want you to correct the perception that because you are such a perfectionist, you are perceived as being difficult." If she framed it like that, Battle would have jumped at the opportunity to set the record straight.
drewqq 1 month ago
Yeah, very tacky of her to walk out. All she had to say forcefully and with a smile on her face, I will not discuss that...or something. To walk out just reinforced her already bad reputation of being difficult.
racourdav 2 months ago
@racourdav I think everyone needs to leave her alone for not commenting. Who would honestly say "Yes. I have terrible behavior". It's not gonna happen!
preachazkid09 1 month ago
That reporter blindsided her! Bravo, Ms. Battle!
lbcandide 2 months ago
i'm glad she walked out. twas a low blow.
111sparkle111 2 months ago
The whole purpose of this interview was to provoke Ms. Battle. Completely unnecessary. You don't get into the Met by singing Mary Had A Little Lamb. So what if she isn't with the opera anymore. She will still have a future with that beautiful voice. I don't blame Ms. Battle for walking away. I will always listen to her sing. She certainly isn't lacking fans, but I bet this interviewer is IF she is still employed.
tennotes 2 months ago
Tacky interviewee, for sure. Misbehavior or not, Battle's voice is still the best, and I love to hear her sing. I was a little surprised by her speaking voice - not what I expected. I greatly regret that I've never heard her sing in person, only on CDs and YouTube. -J:
jaygross803 2 months ago
her walking away just reinforced the fact that she was difficult temperalmental and downright rude in her dealings with people as a professional . Answer the question Thats all she had to do ! Look at her career after she was fired from the Met ! There was no career and thats so unfortunate - Who in any of our memories was fired from the Met Opera ?
donpkra 2 months ago
@donpkra I think we need some clarity on the phrase "there was no career" after the Met. She's still a leading box office draw as a recitalist, has recorded at least six albums and made appearances on other albums - two of them movie soundtracks. Not to mention that she is still debuting places and just performed at the Lincoln Theatre less than a month ago to honor the recipient of Lincoln Medal of honor. Over is an overstatement!
Brava51978 2 months ago
@donpkra With that kind of cheap comment, you should try to get a job with this interviewer... And just for the record, Maria Callas was fired from the Met too, also for being too much perfectionist. But you don't have to believe me, darlin, watch her interview with Mike Wallace. Callas and Battle, the greatest sopranos that ever sang at the Met, and they were both misinterpreted and fired by stupid Managers.
pedrofribeiro 1 month ago
Bitch, you won't get to ask any other question, you are rude as hell! She had already stated what she would "NOT" discuss, but yet you tried to go there on the sneak and got a Diva's ass to kiss! Cheap shot you BITCH!
marfulton 2 months ago
@marfulton Ditto.. I could not have said it better myself. Being DIFFICULT to work with? hmm....Uh, probably she is difficult to work with because so many people are Lesser mortals.~ the Interviewer was immensely disrespectful. Kathleen was gracious and pleasant and had made it CLEAR to the nitwit .". I will not respond to questions about my Reputation.! Her commitment to excellence speaks for itself Diva's are hardest on themselves. Shine On Kathleen. Let them eat poo cake.. LOL
GracieDavison 2 months ago
this interviewer should be fired, cynical breach of trust, cheap journalism, no empathy with the interviewee, go back to journalism college
TimeSurfer101 2 months ago
The reporter herself said that Ms. Battle would not respond to questions like that. AND she had every right to walk out as she did (good for her). With that said, I guess having her previous unprofessional behavior constantly stigmatized is the price she is paying. Like they say- Karma is only a bitch if you are. But what an enchanting, and talented singer AND actor she is- One can't deny the fact! While there is blame to share, the reporter should not have crossed the line.
TheWorldOfLC 3 months ago
Well done, Ms. Battle!!
helenasolares 4 months ago 2
LOL! Oh Kathy.
cdoggiefizzle 4 months ago
1. her career is not over, i saw her in concert my sophomore year , 2. jesse norman is not better than her and ger voice is not" small" as one of you just said. 3. she never tells her side of the story pertaining to her reputation, so who is nyone to judge based on whar they hear... music needs to be about the persons talent and ability to live up to certain standards. and the fact is, Kathleen Battle is extremely talented. when did that become insufficient?
itsjustme123457 4 months ago
She could have given a simple and gracious response. Or laughed it off. The fact is she did have a terrible reputation for her unprofessional behavior. It's almost legendary and there is no need to even embellish it. And that is what essentially ended her career.
This reporter was actually giving her a way to explain away that bad behavior. She should have taken the opportunity.
groundcontrol436385 4 months ago
All of you are such blindly devoted fans of Kathy; she had a pretty singing voice but that was it; it was a small pretty voice, even the bigger better singing voiced Jessye Norman didn't behave unprofessionally & out of control diva like Kathy was. Do you guys not know she was FIRED from the Met (like Callas was) because she stepped all over everyone. James Levine let her get away with stuff until he said "enough". She antagonized all her co-singers. All she had was a pretty little voice bah
OperaMystery80 5 months ago
That interviewer has an agenda and is obviously just trying to rub in how she hurt Kathleen with the "quality control" comment. "Too bad" the interviewer is just a troll.
adorima 5 months ago
The interviewer was so rude to an accomplished artist. I would say that the tone of the questions that the interviewer asked was very provocative and unfriendly from the beginning.
cyeh2 5 months ago
She's the Über-bitch, period.
Pippin76 5 months ago
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaaha
Beto246 6 months ago
I'm not believing the hype about Kathleen's behavior.We have yet to hear her side of the story.anyway.idc about her behavior so long as she doesn't do anything creepy/illegal or say anything blatantly offensive.she's an astouding musician.point blank.
forevermorphingari 6 months ago
I have heard many first-hand accounts of Ms. Battle's behavior, but if it was agreed prior to the interview that you weren't going to bring it up - YOU DON'T BRING IT UP. One must realize though, to be banned from the MET, her attitude was far more than just "Diva" kind of behavior.
RionPhotography 6 months ago 3
I really, really hate the reporter, I mean she was just out to attack poor Kathleen who was gentle enough to ignore the reporter's question. This was very polite, what more does she want, she just when ahead to say "I don't think it is difficult question". She is so lucky that Kathleen is not on CRACK cos if she was, she would have gotten the beating of her life.
IbeazorAgatha 7 months ago
I don't think that Battle's behaviour isn't something that should be addressed, but as soon as the reporter realized she was upset with the question being asked she should have apologized immediately. Her comments were degrading... "I don't think that was a difficult question." Battle decided that it was. Case closed. (Again... not a supporter of her behaviour.)
opera1905 7 months ago
yeah - this reporter was weird- WEIRD I would have done the exact same thing... and at least she just got up, took off her microphone... she didn't over react even though I would have found it hard not to want to slap the damn reporter.
timothyj1966 7 months ago
For me this just confirms that Kathy was difficult and a temperamental diva. The many accounts of her unprofessional behavior from fellow singers she worked with (like Carol Vaness whom Kathy kicked out of a dressing room), to stagehands whom Battle bossed around, her being late to rehearsals, refusing to carpool with other singers, etc. She was fired from the Met for a reason, people. And this interview was as late as '99, she had not been singing professionally for years
OperaMystery80 7 months ago
If you are in the public eye and you agree to interviews, and you have a questionable behavior, you are fair game.
redbrian3655 7 months ago
The reporter was very unprofessional. Good for you Kathleen
BWNonBM47 7 months ago
Many performers often have a temperamental nature, it's probably what gives them the edge on others.
I saw Kathleen perform @ the Sydney opera house a few years ago and I can only think of one word to describe both her performance and the Artist " MAJESTIC " !
I think the Reporter owes Kathleen an apology for ambushing her the way in which she did.
If Kathleen had performed in a similar manner to the Reporter, she would have been booed off stage, not given a standing ovation !
markanthony1920 7 months ago
This interview said it all. Now I know why they say she has a reputation as being difficult to work with. I think she is very self-centered and conceited.
geneanboynton 7 months ago
Too bad? LOL Too bad for you. I would have very gracefully silenced myself and walked out too.
normallawrence 8 months ago 4
An agreement breeched is an interview lost! Is this woman still a reporter? Miss Battle showed class by walking away and not putting her in check! I'd walked too..
tsunamieyes 8 months ago 21
An agreement breeched is an interview lost! Is this woman still a reporter?
tsunamieyes 8 months ago
I remember this, I felt so badly for Ms. Battle. Laurie Brown of the CBC conducted this interview. Kathleen Battle has one of the most beautifully lyrical voices ever and to have been treated like this was, and still is, shameful.
papermason 8 months ago 2
@ BrentAudi,
Do you even know who you are talking about? Her voice has never sounded husky. Think you have your singer's crossed.
bravissima1 9 months ago
She was such a brat! Beautiful voice and such talent, but a brat!
And she was not a Prima Donna Yet when she was fired from the Met!
Now she is old and here voice is husky and without power.
I wonder if she is still a little "Brat"!
BrentAudi 9 months ago
The lives of an opera singers/ divas/divos, whatever you want to call them, are very demanding and difficult ones. Dealing with the expectations of the public, in addition to your own finite physical resources, does not always bring out "the best" in people. People tend to forget that artists are human beings with the personalities, souls, and human limitations we all share. It's something for all you e-critics out there to remember.
elainebmack 9 months ago 2
@elainebmack Your point is well said - It is the interviewer who had emitted bad behavior by breaching the agreement and then had the audacity to smooth it over by saying it wasn't a difficult question. Miss Battle was a gem throughout; she gracefully commanded the POWER of silence in the most lady-like form. I respect her for that.
Kumtekmeon 9 months ago 2
@Jcarolinajr, i totally agree, resorting to name-calling is reveals more about the namecaller: i.e. NO CLASS. Battle graciously agreed to the interview, only to be put in the awkward position of having to explain herself. She could have made the same mistake as other famous artists & stooped to the crass level of the interviewer by RESPONDING. But she had the self-control - and the class - to simply remove herself. THAT is why, @jamaicanvisa, the interviewer DESERVES to be attacked!
PRomeTHeuSaRTs 9 months ago 3
Why are you all attacking the interviewer? clearly the" interviewee" (LOL!!!) is a bitch. She is a fantastic singer BUT she has an attitude problem. Thats why she was kicked from the Metropolitan Opera. I believe the question was pertinent and Kathleen should have answered the question. She has no tact what-so-ever. I am soooo pissed!!!!
jamaicanvisa 10 months ago
Poorly phrased questions. This interviewer has no skills. When dealing with Divas you gotta be smarter than that.
ThenurVraxJam 10 months ago
Where do you find the full interview ?
montsyblackmadonna 10 months ago
Hey, I remember this interview when it happened. laurie Brown (the interview) is disingeneous, she pulled a similar stunt on Aretha Franklin. It does not show in this clip, but in both inteviews, she goreded the subject. I recall Aretha not being very pleased either. I wondered at the time if it had something to do with Laurie's career interviewing musicians for MuchMusic. I lost respect for her during these two episodes. She kept goreding Ms Battle. You do not see that in this interview.
PClaytonHuggins 10 months ago
Battle is, in a catch phrase; an arrogant, self-centered, beyond hubris ridden megalomaniac, narcisistic bitch.
You gotta work overtime and then some to piss off James Levine, moreover be banned from the Met.
equinoxranch 10 months ago
I love her voice but it is truly her attitude that got her pushed out of some opera house's. As an operatic singer myself I can tell you that often times, and i've seen it happen, someone with a worse voice will get chosen over someone with a better voice simply because their reputation of being easier to work with is in their favor. It doesnt matter how wonderful of a singer you are. If you have a bad attitude your career will be more limited. Her reactions here were terribly unprofessional.
whitneyhouston1234 11 months ago
Clearly a spoiled runt... and over the last decade - she won't have the same problem going forward
FeanorFm 11 months ago
Why the name-calling? Who's angry here, and why? Is it because no artist ought to allow themselves to feel entrapped; and so, the only way to effect "quality control" is to demonstrate by removing oneself from an non-qualitative situation. If Battle had slapped the questioner think of those outcomes. Child, please. Give the world a break.
Jcarolinajr 11 months ago
@dogisgreat1 : If you think Battle was justified to walk, then why do you say that it didn't look good? It looked great to me. I wouldn't have been so polite & restrained. I would have slapped the interviewer. How would that look to you? Who cares?
shelgr3 1 year ago
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Uppity nigger!!!!!!
biologias3 1 year ago
Oooo lots of comments... many artistic people have gathered reputations for being a little "difficult" - think of the Hollywood legends who have emerged as tyrannical bullies in supposed tell alls by their children, did that diminish their "legend". Melba was apparently quite frightening in her later years, read Rosa Ponselle's comments after meeting her, so why does everyone pick on KB. Youtube has many examples of her wonderful singing, go watch those and enjoy the singing...
hugothebear 1 year ago
@hugothebear
I read your comment and wanted to respond. People make their own "beds" so to speak and Ms. Battle publicly made hers. That is the price one pays when you have a gift and are blessed enough to get celebrity too. Consider the sad reality that became her life when, pushing everyone beyond the ability to tolerate her, she was fired from the MET which had been her home! And for us, the greatest tragedy, we were robbed of the best years of her life. All because of arrogance. Sad.
laddnyc 10 months ago
@laddnyc Life is full of odd co-incidences, I happened to listen to Ms B on a cd last night and you know it passed through my mind that it was such a pity that audiences missed out on her because she couldn't "reign in " her temperament. I guess we will never know quite what was going through her head, I wonder if she has regrets now. I still enjoy her recordings and have happy memories of her live, in the end it is truly sad that her career was affected and I guess she too must know that now.
hugothebear 10 months ago
is she on helium lol sounds like someone edited the video to humiliate her hahaha
Liekkek 1 year ago
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what a whore black whore i say fuck her stupid cunt
Liekkek 1 year ago
@Liekkek - This post comes across as vulgar and racist, because of the language. None of us wish to be those things -- even towards people who, for whatever reason, real or perceived, we don't care for. What do you gain by spreading ideas such as those mentioned in the above post?
kinddude 1 year ago
All the name calling is unnecessary. Mentally putting yourself in someone else's shoes can help us all have better understanding of each other.
dybb234 1 year ago 10
you ugly BITCH, you ambushed her, not fair , have more repect for someone a million times more talented than you.
skankingjoe 1 year ago
It is indeed a great thing to your true, authentic self. Some lucky to have seen the first 27 minutes of this interview where Kathleen Battle is still warm, funny, open. It's unfortunate that the entire interview is no longer available.
It's "difficult" for anyone to deal with unethical individuals who feign unawareness that a question was out of scope of the agreed interview & who know nothing of keeping one's word or ethical journalism that asks open-ended, non-leading questions.
kinddude 1 year ago 3
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What a wonderful thing it is to show one's authentic self. Some of us are fortunate to have heard 27 minutes of an interview where Kathleen Battle is still warm, funny, open. Unfortunate that the entire interview is no longer available.
It's "difficult" for anyone to deal with unethical individuals who feign unawareness that a question was out of scope of the agreed interview & who know nothing of keeping one's word or ethical journalism that asks open-ended, non-leading questions.
kinddude 1 year ago
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What a wonderful thing it is to show one's authentic self. Some of us are fortunate to have heard 27 minutes of an interview where Kathleen Battle is still warm, funny, open. Unfortunate that the entire interview is no longer available.
It's "difficult" for anyone to deal with unethical individuals who feign unawareness that a question was out of scope of the agreed interview & who know nothing of keeping one's word or ethical journalism that asks open-ended, non-leading questions.
kinddude 1 year ago
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kinddude 1 year ago
KATHLEEN BATTLE OOONCE AGAIN JUST SHOWED THE WORLD HER TRUE SELF... THERE WAS NO RUDENESS IN THAT QUESTION AT AAALL!!! GROW UP PEOPLE! ... AND MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL! LOL
miuzefreak 1 year ago
Bad behavior is bad behavior, and both of these women showed it. The interviewer was wrong for going back on her word and and asking the question. Kathleen was wrong for acting like a spoiled brat and, therefore, adding truth to the "difficult" claims by pushing the camera away. She could have laughed it off and answered with a sassy response. The Met was 100% correct to give her a pink slip!
JumpStreet1983 1 year ago
@JumpStreet1983 - Thank you for sharing that. While I agree that one way to respond to a person who behaves dishonestly is to laugh it off or answer with a sassy response, it seems so disingenuous a response.
Artists devoted to art, Kathleen Battle is, gladly share their art and knowledge with people who actually care about art. If they don't, and especially if they betray her trust, she feels hurt and a little angry. If you call that difficult, so be it.
kinddude 1 year ago
@JumpStreet1983 She didn't have to laugh it off. She was lied to, and probably did just what she said she would. Jumpstreet you should be headed for Congress. You think just like a politician or better yet a Lawyer.
Daspankster0000 1 year ago
@Daspankster0000 You don't know how I think because you don't know me, period. But I respect your opinion. All I said was that those are just a few ways she could have handled the situation. She's not the first female singer who has been asked if she's demanding or difficult, and she won't be the last. But I do agree that she was lied to if the interviewer agreed not to ask that.
JumpStreet1983 1 year ago
@JumpStreet1983 . I disagree with your view of Ms. Battle's behavior. It was agreed that "the subject" would not be mentioned, yet the interviewer obviously waited to catch Ms. Battle off guard. It wasn't Ms. Battle's job to laugh anything off or provide some "sassy response". She is an artist, not a TV talk show personality, and she did the right thing by walking out. What the interviewer did amounted to entrapment, nothing more.
elainebmack 9 months ago
By the way, my last comment is a more a response to a long history of how the discussions related to Kathleen Battle can turn, not just the recent ones. Come tend to come on here and vilify Kathleen Battle and those who do not see her as the "difficult" person that this interviewer sees, often employing the foulest of language. But, I guess that language can also come from the other side of the fence. Folks. Can we chill out?
kinddude 1 year ago
People of good will, a humble request. While comments can capture what you feel, it is difficult to listen to you when you SHOUT or call people names. How can any of us accuse someone of being unkind, screaming, and being a bitch, when actually we are the ones behaving that way. It is the very definition of the word Hypocritical.
kinddude 1 year ago
the reporter and kathleen were both great eye candy, but that reporter was being disrespectful and pretty much the C word
StokesDaddy 1 year ago
the reporter and kathleenere both hot.. but that reporter was a cunt
StokesDaddy 1 year ago
wow the interviewer is really hot haha i bet the black woman was jealous whoever she was, cos she walked off after being asked an easy question so that must be the only reason (jealousy)
Liekkek 1 year ago
@Liekkek dumb ass
StokesDaddy 1 year ago 2
@StokesDaddy NOPE
Liekkek 1 year ago
Gorgeous singer.
SandrineSoprano 1 year ago 2
Good for Ms. Battle. If the interviewer had been TOLD topics wouldn't be discussed and it was agreed upon, the interviewer was 100% wrong for asking. I would've walked off too. Sometimes you're the only one who can protect yourself when those around you aren't doing their job.
anitadiva 1 year ago 2
i agree, if she didn't want to talk about it , she didn't have to. Just because it looked bad meant nothing. How do you know she just wasn't having a bad day?
lilangel722 1 year ago
it speaks for itself......prima donna...in every sense of the word.....married...if so ...I feel for the guy!
jdlcdn 1 year ago
@jdlcdn What term do they use for male opera singers that are seen as "difficult." Is there a male equivalent for "diva." No, they might call him temperamental and see it as part of his "genius."
bon1042 1 year ago
@bon1042 . Yes indeed. The double standard is alive and well.
elainebmack 9 months ago
it speaks for itself......prima donna...in every sense of the word.....married?
jdlcdn 1 year ago
I Feel that It wasn't a very professional interview to begin with but it only goes to show that Kathleen battle is a major diva and was rightfully reprimanded for it. I say, Fire more diva's. It didn't look good at all on her part to walk off. She's prob just mad because Every knows she's a bitch now and she can't escape it.
ProSinger123 1 year ago
@ProSinger123: Why are you calling her a "bitch"? That's not very professional of you. Maybe you should be fired from YouTube.
urgrad03 1 year ago
@urgrad03 Well....it is a derogatory term used for mean/ unliked women......but I'm sure your so smart you'll argue with whatever I say. Please, wow me with your witty comments.
ProSinger123 1 year ago
@ProSinger123: Girl bye.
urgrad03 1 year ago
@ProSinger123 I wonder what they would have called a Pavarotti??
bon1042 1 year ago
@ProSinger123 u aint shit.. bitch
StokesDaddy 1 year ago
And if it "wasn't such a difficult question," why did she have such difficulty in phrasing it?
FindsLoveInAllThings 1 year ago 3
I actually agree with Battle’s approach to interviews and commend her for having such resolve to maintain her composure as she exits the room. Most reporters and journalists today are essentially bullies who want to intimidate and instigate their subjects just in order to squeeze their own five minutes from them. Obsessed with fame many of them are. However, Battle does not allow herself to be manhandled by these ruffians; she makes sure they understand their place.
FindsLoveInAllThings 1 year ago 2
I think the same as dogisgreat1. The interviewers and celebrities agree on the questions way before actually meeting. The journalist is an instigator. Anyone with a vague idea of deductive skills would notice that she was trying to conduct her questions as politely as she could only to throw the very one she really wanted. Quality Control changes to perfeccionism and out of nowhere, Ms. battle becomes a difficult person to work with! I don't care what others might think, I say:"Well done, Ms. B"
nestorfabianpz 1 year ago 4
Well, Kathleen Battle had made it clear she would not discuss her bad behavior. I personally think the reporter brought it up on purpose just to see if she could get Battle to throw a tantrum in the interview. I mean, that's good journalism -- it gets viewers and creates something compelling. So she succeeded, and all these years later the interview is getting many thousands of views. It's what people wanna see. I'm just sorry it happened at Battle's expense. She didn't deserve it.
formenlehre 1 year ago 4
can someone please point me to some stories of caucasian opera singers who were dejected and fired and black listed because of their behavior. i often read that they are given the utmost respect for carrying on and being ridiculous divas...is that a matter of race on Kathleen's end. i read that she was once called the "UN" at the Met. that stood for Uppity Negro!!
couturesixfour 1 year ago
@couturesixfour :GO FUCK YOURSELF!!! WHO SAYS NEGRO ANYMORE..RACIST
rtp1968 1 year ago
@rtp1968 Evidently those backstage at The Met! What are you talking about? Was the expletive directed at me? I was merely speaking on her situation in dealing with her fame as a black opera singer in a very white world. That doesn't make me a racist. What is your rationale? Are you an educated individual? I'm confused? What is your level of comprehension?
couturesixfour 1 year ago
@couturesixfour Wow, people call me uppity all the time, I mean ALL the time.
shakmack 1 year ago
@couturesixfour - I read that and immediately imagined that the term must have been used by older members of the Met, since both uppity and Negro have long been out of use.
Obviously what you wrote, in reporting a term that others said, is not a reflection of your own thought. What you've been saying in this discussion provides no evidence of racist or uncivil tendencies, which, ironically, can not be said of the accuser.
kinddude 1 year ago
@kinddude i agree
StokesDaddy 1 year ago
@couturesixfour Maria Callas for one. A white America soprano fired from the Met for being "difficult."
goldenthroat86 1 year ago
that interviewer did that on purpose then tried to switch the question around...that was a set up
immature0916 1 year ago
I definitely think the interviewer could have been a lot more tactful. But storming out like that did nothing to aid Battle's reputation, that's for sure.
90lysander 1 year ago
@90lysander she didn't exactly storm out. LOL!
Tritano 1 year ago
Well... as most have stated here.
Battle had a right to up and end her portion of the interview if there was a level of disrespect to her wishes.
Sometimes folks don't just allow a phrase to be just that.
She most likely felt no headway in continuing on possibly being misunderstood. So she walked... the result was the same.
Respect for Excellence isn't easy to achieve especially when emotions are involved.
Great voice and performer.
;0)
4eva68 1 year ago
YIKES THE REPORTER
blogheads 1 year ago
SHE SHOULD HAVE ANSWERED. Walking out was not the best thing to do when confronted about her reputation. Even if her response was that she didn't want to discuss it, she should have answered. If the interviewer persisted then she would have had reason to walk out.
tyavion 1 year ago
BATTLE WANTS TO AVOID THE SUBJECT BECAUSE SHE KNOWS IT S TOTALLY TRUE... LOL ah that woman!
miuzefreak 1 year ago
Kathleen Battle is supreme!
bleuivy 1 year ago
@bleuivy No she's not!!!
Baroqueroll9 1 year ago
okay i feel bad for her but that is un professional u shud grin and bear it and answer properly.. simply say im not answering thata and get them 2 ask anuva question lol
trannystar 1 year ago
Unfit reporter, no brains, no heart, no manners, no skills, no emphathy.
Simply gross.
Hope you read it.
Ellevius 1 year ago
Kathleen is very sweet in this interview...
Until she is interrupted by this low class B of a reporter.
The ONLY appropriate thing for Kathleen to do was to deservedly, walk out on her>
Great job, Kathleen, both your first and second part of the interview.
Ellevius 1 year ago 4
CALLAS WAS ASKED THE EXACT SAME QUESTIONS AND GRACIOUSLY ANSWERED THEM WITH CALM AND DIGNITY. MISS BATTLE S REPUTATION DIDN T FALL FROM THE SKY FOLKS! THAT S ALL I M GONNA SAY... LOL
miuzefreak 1 year ago
@miuzefreak I must agree. She acted childishly and without grace. I am an enormous fan of her singing. But a grown woman, who is a celebrity and in the public eye needs to be able to act right when under pressure. Its one thing to have exacting standards, its another thing to be so childish you can't answer a simple, politely asked, question. She is in the wrong.
FoggyRoad81 1 year ago
@miuzefreak I am a huge fan of both Callas and Battle. While I can appreciate the way Callas answered similar questions with calm and dignity I can also appreciate Ms. Battle's walking out of the the interview. With all due respect there's just some lines you never cross with a true Diva!
Pavarotti48 1 month ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Being a talented super star is awesome, but it is more awesome being able to get along with people, by not wearing your feelings on your finger tips.
shadhom 1 year ago
Comment removed
shadhom 1 year ago
oh yes because the interviewer was soooo mean?
Oh yes lets all blame it on the interviewer, listen ppl in this she is a down right bitch im not going to surgar coat anything for you, just because you can sing does not mean you have to act like that, in my opinion she is difficult sometimes, but your people skills are way of boo boo. and if you think thgat she was being "attacked ' by the interviewer come on Look at the lady she waas so weak and scared was she that Mean or was kathleen a bitch?
breakaliciouskid786 1 year ago
Oh, this interviewer just showed how incompetent and unscrupulous she is. Those helpless pleas at the end, trying to make an extremely weak link between "being difficult" and "quality control"...I'm like, "c'mon, boo...it doesn't take a rocket scientist to find out what you're about: nothing good"...really and honestly, if I were Kathleen, I would've walked too. I'm pretty sure that Kathleen would not have accepted the interview if she knew that she'd be put in the hot seat like that. Terrible
GylchrisSprauve 1 year ago 2
This interviewer is plain old fashion stupid. You don't go back on the agreement during the interview. If quality control was all she was interested in she could have asked the question in another. For example, how do you ensure that the voice retains its quality when all others around you might be pressing you to perform in ways and when you are not comfortable with?
goebels99 1 year ago 2
Why didn't the idiot interviewer ask her about Mozart, Donizetti, or Puccini? Typical shallow media are more interested in gossip and scandal.
Brahmsfourth 1 year ago
No matter what they say about she having an attitude and everything I think this interviewer was unkind and deserved what she got.
skycastles79 1 year ago
oh well!!!! The turth hurts...lol
jetit 1 year ago
If the reporter agreed not to ask about the issue, she should have kept to the agreement. Ms. Battle had every right to walk off the interview, though it certainly didn't look good to do so.
dogisgreat1 1 year ago 38
@dogisgreat1. The Reporter was duplictious and Battle felt betrayed, because she was~ It was meant to humiliate...Battle was an absolute delight up to that moment..
She could have phrased the question.." How Do you protect your voice.? what are the daily practices and disciplines that you work best for you?. The doltish ~awkard reporter was left mumbling and stupified..and then had to announce ..well, we broke our end of the deal...".cuz I am stupid!" .
karmakomodia 1 year ago 3
@dogisgreat1 A reporter who makes any promises to an interviewee as to what questions will or will not be asked during an interview is in fact not a reporter. She had every right to ask the question and Kathleen had every right to walk off. The problem with that solution is that she came off as angry and temperamental. She should have simply stated that she did not want to touch on that specific topic and then asked the reporter to move on. Done and done.
NYTruth 1 year ago 2
Go to Portsmouth, Ohio, and see where this woman comes from. She has to be a near goddess to have come from that backwater racist dump of a town and yet to have achieved what she has achieved. The pressure of her success must be enormous and far beyond what someone who has not walked in her shoes can imagine. I don't excuse her bad behavior, but I still have great respect for her as an artist who beat a stacked deck to become one of opera's most consistently outstanding performers.
dogisgreat1 1 year ago
I can't bear to watch this video... I felt Kathleen was being attacked by the interviewer.
It is none of your business.
cookiecrumz616 1 year ago
she is such a mess!!!! Sad
dcjax 1 year ago
Battle's voice was so very beautiful. It's a shame that she was so difficult to get along with. I think she probably was very difficult. They don't fire someone that talented from the Met without cause. It isn't a racial thing. It's just that her famously bad behavior couldn't be tolerated.
bassfanne45 1 year ago
A well-trained voice, or a great natural voice, has nothing to do with the "socialized self", the one who must cope with life and the world around her after they step offstage. The barrage of stories I've heard, from people who worked with her everywhere, seems to be consistent: she is suffering from some deep emotional torment and may be mentally ill. It's nothing to be ashamed of, but if you are treated like a "diva", as many pop stars are, it makes it more difficult for someone to understand.
sillyboydeux 1 year ago
@sillyboydeux I've changed my view on this. Regardless of the gossip I heard, the reporter is a yellow journalist. She set up this whole interview to lead into this question which waylaid Kathleen's poise and reserve. She had used the word "quality control" in the previous questions, only to be followed by "perfectionism" and "being difficult" later. Madonna, Barbra Streisand, Callas, Jack Nicholson, bla bla. We are not all born to behave like Shirley Temple. The reporter is an ASSHOLE.
sillyboydeux 1 year ago 22
@sillyboydeux Excellent way of stating it, but I would rephrase your last sentence to be more accurate: The reporter is a BITCH.
Winterbyte 8 months ago 3
@sillyboydeux We are, of course all talking about something of which we don't have first hand knowledge, but your comment about Ms. Battle "suffering from some deep emotional torment" rings true. I've heard that she's made her career her whole life, which is sure to unbalance a person. Still, what a great artist. I feel simple gratitude toward her for the chance to hear such singing. As for her personal life, I can only wish her well without really knowing what's going on.
keithsmd 1 year ago
Real Divas like Leontyne Price, Shirley Bassey and Barbara Cook would have laughed it off, gave a half assed answer and laughingly continued on with the interview. Ladies like Miss Battle, Diana Ross etc all have a chip on there shoulder and I believe it has to do with an inner struggle they have with there race. Face it folks we all are what we are in this world and nothing is going to change that. Embrace who and what you are and Be Happy!!
myboylollipop09 1 year ago
@myboylollipop09 When Diva Diana's been asked about her perceived attitude/aloofness, she laughed it off saying she didn't think she's too difficult & that she simply has a way she likes her business run. Often attributed the misunderstanding to her gender & mega success. No more, no less and kept it moving. Now Ms. Battle did straight up walk out the middle of the interview after looking hella offended and went on to ignore. I can't say if any of it has to do with an internal racial struggle.
AnnabellaSteMarie 1 year ago
@AnnabellaSteMarie I doubt seriously that the primary consideration is race. I hear that when she was younger she was an absolute JOY to be around in the opera houses by people that taught and performed with her. However, the pressure of being called "perfect" so often, I do believe, has a way of motivating some...and cracking and bending others. I feel that no matter what personality flaws, she's sealed in her position as one of the greatest sopranos ever.
Grandtenore 1 year ago
@Grandtenore As do I. I sympathize with people whose gift they must share with the world. Such a heavy burden, but such an honor as well. The one truth? Kathleen Battle is a fabulous sorprano. One of the best...
AnnabellaSteMarie 1 year ago 22
Well that was kinda immatuer, come on KB you know you've been a D*I*V*A suck it up and don't act like you haven't.
violinistx100 1 year ago
Utterly absurd. She could have simply said I prefer not to answer the question or given some other answer. But walking off What a brat. Diva or no diva (and I love opera), she acted silly. A TRUE DIVA would have known how to answer that question in her favor.
htshoward 1 year ago
Thats a DIVA for you...u could feel the fear and trembling in the interviewers voice when she KNEW she had f---ked with Kathleen...Battle was about to do battle..lol..personally, I thought she was gonna hit her!
younglion 1 year ago
I read all of the stories about her primadonna behavior - and yes it was bad, but what I'll always remember is the joy she gave me when I heard her as Rosina at the Met many years ago. Nothing can take this away from me.
jewelmarkess 1 year ago
She´s maybe the only female opera singer that has touched and moved my soul with the beauty of her voice. A real life voice of an angel
brendamolecula 1 year ago
My information on Miss Battle if by someone who does know. It is that she has a very sensitive emotional state--always has. her gift is, as often, the other side of fragility. James Levine was, so I'm told, able to work with the duality of great singing and emotional fragility. We expect extraordinary people to be ordinary? Some are able, some are not. Do we deny the beauty available to highlight the flaw? Judgments.
GwenAYF 1 year ago
My only problem is seeing her fans try to excuse and explain away her abusive behavior , and that's what it is, because she has a great voice. Mistreating people is never okay no matter what your skill set.
Her firing is well documented (Time Magazine, NYT) and including abusing/insulting 60+ year old Met star Rosalind Elias to the point of tears in rehearsals for The Daughter of the Regiment..
RHP444 1 year ago
@RHP444 I hope this helps educate more people. Mistreating people NEVER is okay..to the point where other professionals won't work with her? And that's not through jealousy. As russzkil says, the attention she gets on stage is probably never going to be enough to fill the hole inside. What a shame.
pianomags 1 year ago
This interviewer is a fool. Her publicist told you she would not be talking about it - but you asked anyway. It's always"Kathleen's bad behaviour". Yet I have only heard one factual story - the rest is just urban myth - and nonsense. Time will tell. Oh nobody at the MET has behaved badly EVER! Just Kathleen - she is the devil amongst saints right????
AbeokutaCity1 1 year ago
Blaming Battle's walkout on the interviewer is preposterous, she was just doing her job. One of the main facts of her career is her long and well-documented history of bad behavior, and KB just proved the point if any more evidence was necessary. KB is a public person who has made a great deal of money at her art. Submitting to an interview and expecting (or demanding) that the subject not come up is foolish and unprofessional. The facts of her behavior are too well known to be in dispute.
gtimny 1 year ago
You say the facts of her behaviour are too well known. So again I ask - you must be privy to them - so share them with us. Here - tell us the facts - not just the hearsay and a 20 year old bullshit about printing of t-shirts. If you interview anyone - ANYONE be it Meryl Streep or Sandra Bullock their publicist will inquire as to what the line of questioning is - that is an industry norm - you should know that!
AbeokutaCity1 1 year ago
@AbeokutaCity1 Hey this is a link to an article in Time Magazine with stories and quotes of her Behavior from the head mannagers of LA opear, Paris Opera, and many others who applauded the mets decision after she was fired. Her temper tantrums are quite well documented.
James88keys 1 year ago
Moving from the sublime - and KB's voice *was* sublime - to the ridiculous, would anyone defend Amy Winehouse for walking out of an interview in which she was asked about her stints in rehab? It's completely unreasonable to expect a public person of Battle's fame not to be asked about something which is a well-documented fact of her career.
gtimny 1 year ago
Go and ask Amy Winehouse something she does not want to talk about - that interviewer would be looking for her teeth until today! LOL. It is the way in which this interview was handled - even a kid on the school newspaper wouldn't go at it like that. It is sloppy and it is lame, and in the words of Leontyne Price - "BORING"!
AbeokutaCity1 1 year ago
the woman already knew she is notorious for this type of behavior so why test it..the question was stupid she just wanted to talk about her bad behavior..quality control? get the f%*k outta here..and her voice is not ruined she just has some issues that unfortunately did not help her career..
nucomme 1 year ago
I love Kathleen and this lady was just asking for it. She already told her in advance that she WOULD NOT discuss any of that.
MrStyle23 1 year ago
@MrStyle23 - You make a valid point. There was communication on the purpose of the interview and what wouldn't be discussed. "Battle had made it clear...," as you say, had been told in advance; So the interviewer is breaching the ethical journalistic standards, which any reputable journalist would adhere to.
Moreover this questions comes at about minute 27 of a 30 minute interview.
Many celebrities have talking points that do not want to discuss. J Jackson will not discuss her early career.
kinddude 1 year ago
I find Battle's behavior here indefensible. I am a musician myself, I also worked for years in music management and was privy on 1 occasion to one of her wholly unwarranted tantrums over the contents of her dressing room - in a brand new and spotlessly clean theater, mind you. That was nearly 20 years ago, and she's still pulling these childish stunts even though they have destroyed her career. She's a deeply insecure, spoiled and damaged woman who once had a remarkably lovely voice.
gtimny 1 year ago
@gtimny - No human has the right to be reduced to one minute of a 30 minute interview.
If you saw the entire interview, you would have seen a warm, open, honest Kathleen Battle.
When a conversation partner breaches our trust, we have every right to remove ourselves. The interviewer was unethical, by trying to earn Kathleen Battle 's trust, then asking a question that was communicated would not be discussed.
kinddude 1 year ago 2
You're correct sir. But one should have the right to be reduced to a number of cancellations and a history of unacceptable behavior in the work enviroment ON TOP of a 30 minute interview.
Her refusal to talk about it shows her level of immaturity as well as her knowledge that the behavior which she nonetheless continues to use isn't really acceptable. Fine singer, below-average person.
clarksc1988 1 year ago
@clarks1988 - Refusal to discuss a topic can mean a number of things. If you attribute it to immaturity, than what it truly means is that whenever YOU refuse to discuss something, it means you are immature.
The appropriate thing for the interviewer to follow ethical journalistic behavior; when the interviewer was respectful, so was Kathleen. When the interviewer wasn't, Kathleen chose to remove herself.
Rarely anything positive comes from engaging with someone who is not trustworthy.
kinddude 1 year ago
@clarks1988 - If you consider her removing herself from interviewer who breached ethical standards as "unacceptable behavior", then this is just an example where some judge her to be unacceptable, and others actually think she is doing the right thing. So who is ultimately right?
Volpe's account of the situation struck me as full of double standards; he mentions Pavarotti conducting the conductor in the Elisire, making no negative judgement. Had Battle done the same, he'd have criticised her.
kinddude 1 year ago