Shinan Govani – The Boldfaced Boss.

At the Hugo Boss launch of Shinan’s first novel: Boldface Names.

Courtesy of mushypony.com

Shaking the hand of Shinan Govani felt like shaking the hands of every A-lister celebrity he’s ever come into contact with. And yet, he doesn’t preserve that hand inside a glass jar like everybody else would. It was only during his interview with Canadian Opera legend, Measha Brueggergosman, that we discovered how he actually sees celebrities, and how we too can become their friends – you just need to know the rules.

Measha: What made you want to write Boldface Names?

Shinan: I was always that kid reading with his flashlight, sitting under the covers until lights out; so it’s been a dream of mine for a while. But more specifically, I felt this book could be that veranda that looks out over various platforms: the fashion industry, foodies, socialites, this book could be that lense into the world that people get to finally see through. So why not slap some covers and a spine on it?

Measha: With pop culture constantly changing, were there things that you felt the need to change while writing the book?

Shinan: Oh ya, right up until publication I was calling my publisher demanding to please add more Susan Boyle and Twilight references in there, because it was important to me that the characters were alive and that the scenery was real.

Measha: Have you had anyone come up and bitch-slap you in regards to some of the references in the book? Where do you draw the line in terms of who’s news-worthy and what’s private vs. public?

Shinan: No one has slapped me in particular! I suppose the only way I can answer that is just by following my nose. It’s a lot of instinct you know? Ultimately the kind of coverage I like to do is revolving around the funny or absurd, not the mean and gossipy – blatantly taking shots at innocent people. There’s both the documentation on celebrities, but also the creation where I can help build on their reputation. I see the snakes and ladders of it really.

Measha: And in terms of spotting a diva amongst celebrities, how can you tell who is and who isn’t going to be like that?

Shinan: Oh I can smell them from a mile away. But the thing is, I look at that behaviour as a form of theatre. Our world would be a boring place without those personalities there for our entertainment.

Courtesy of Amazon.ca

Measha: If you were to have dinner with any celebrity who would it be?

Shinan: Most people I meet I can stand my ground and be sophisticated in the room, but when I met Tom Wolfe, I was like the head cheerleader at a college football game. That man is the essence of culture and I was just in awe. I try not to let that side get to me though, if you’re around someone famous, you can’t acknowledge that – it’s one of the ten commandments in this business and part of how I’ve been able to do what I do.

Measha: Also, if you’re hanging around opera singers, don’t ask them to sing!

Shinan: Well ya! I mean, I’ve been in that situation where you’re around someone like Nicole Kidman and it’s like a fourth wall – you can’t let them smell your fear. Always look them right in the eye like you’re just another person. Even though clearly, they know that you know that they’re hot shit.

Measha: What would you say the difference is between fame in Canada and fame in America?

Shinan: Unfortunately, one of the greatest national lies is that Canadians are nicer, less selfish people than Americans. And that’s not true. We’re just as shocked to see a Jonas Brother sitting in Starbucks as the next person. Throughout the years I’ve been doing my column, I’ve seen a change with Canadians. When I started there was no eTalk or ET Canada and I think having all these outlets together creates a perfect storm where suddenly, you have young social girls who want free samples of clothes so that they can be photographed by these publications. Next thing you know, those same girls are being offered free meals at restaurants because they were on TV. I like to think of it as a social ecosystem really. It’s a lot easier to become famous these days but to maintain fame takes some extreme, Tarzan-like power. Leaving your house becomes a performance every day and people need to always be ready for the show.