Susan Holmes McKagan ('Married To Rock')November 20 2010
Ever wondered what it's like being married to a famous rock star? How to juggle a hectic touring schedule with your family commitments? Well, the brand new reality show Married To Rock - airing on E! - takes us behind the doors and tour buses with Susan Holmes McKagan (married to Duff McKagan), AJ Celi (girlfriend of Billy Duffy), Etty Farrell (married to Perry Farrell) and Josie Stevens (wife of Steve Stevens) as they give us a glimpse at their exciting lives. We caught up with Susan to find out more!
Congratulations on the new show!"Thanks! I'm really proud of the show and I think it's light-hearted and fun. If you just hear the show, you might think one thing but when you truly tune in and see it you can see the full depth and layers involved there with us not only being rock wives but also businesswomen and moms. The full spectrum!"
How would you describe yourself and what misconceptions about yourself do you think the show will help counter?"I was a high-fashion model - people called me an international supermodel. I don't know what it is about musicians and models but we seem to gravitate towards each other, I think it's because we have such parallel lives with the touring and travelling and early careers and glamour. I did covers of Vogue and ad campaigns for Yves St. Laurent which was wonderful because it was a stepping stone for me and education in itself. Living in Paris for five years and New York for three was a wonderful experience; I have friends around the world and it gave me some wonderful insight and inspiration into becoming a designer. I have a swimsuit line and the best part about it is that I get to contribute back to charity over 10% of my net proceeds to Surfrider Foundation for cleaner beaches and oceans to the National Children's Leukemia Foundation. I like to think I'm very blessed. I have experienced other cultures and had my own career before meeting Duff. We only further complete one another. Duff is obviously a stellar musician from Velvet Revolver to Guns N' Roses and his band Loaded to him going back to school, earning his finance degree and being on the Honour Role. We have both become business people and have made great investments. I'd like to think we are an inspiring couple."
Duff is in the first episode briefly. Will we see much of him throughout the season?"You'll have to tune in! He is in it later on more. He is peripherally in the show as the other husbands are too. I met the man of my dreams, the love of my life and he happens to be a rock star! That doesn't really define who I am. I'm a mom, a model, a designer, an animal lover, a humanitarian. We have a lot more to talk about here."
Is it true your children won't be featured on camera?"Yes, that's true. My children are not in the show but we can talk about our kids; I think everyone knows Duff and I are married and have kids. It's different for different folks. I'm not being judgmental to other people who have their kids on shows but for us it was not in the cards."
Was there anything else that you didn't want filmed?"Well, it's not like cameras just pop up in our house! But at the same time it is an organic and raw [experience] and you are really coming in and seeing the real deal of our lives. It is very intimate. Duff and I worked long and hard to stay out of the limelight so it was a big deal for us; we felt vulnerable and excited and nervous, all these emotions. I think it is normal and natural. I'm really proud of the show - it's meant to be light-hearted and fun; there are laugh-out-loud moments like This Is Spinal Tap. I'm not trying to be Meryl Streep on the red carpet winning an Oscar for this role! It's meant to be entertaining and fun."
You and Duff have been married for over a decade. What's the secret to your longevity, especially in the showbiz world? "I'm really proud and honoured of the fact that Duff and I recently celebrated our 11-year wedding anniversary. People constantly ask us, 'How did you do it? How did you meet?' So I thought I'd write a book. I've been working on it for the past year. It's tentatively titled Rock Solid. I interview various rock couples from Green Day to Aerosmith to Weezer on how all these superstar inspiring couples keep it together, and it includes Duff and myself. For us, I would say communication is key. We have a tremendous respect for one another and support and we leave our egos at the door!"
Now you've filmed the first season, would you return if a second run was offered?"Well, it's been a fun project and I don't know what the future holds. I would like to think this is a wonderful success because I really, truly believe in it. I know that even if I wasn't on the show I would watch it! I'm curious to see this story and I think it will be a big hit; Duff thinks it will be a big hit. We'll have to wait and see, won't we? It's just been a lot of fun and I'm really proud of it and love all the funny stuff and the humour."
Can you give us any hints about what we can expect from the upcoming episodes?!"I don't want to give it all away! Each and every episode is an unfolding and fun story in itself. Duff and I do everything from going to a children's cancer [fundraiser] where we act as team leaders for the night - which is great fun! - to daredevil stuff to getting to hang out at Lollapolooza where 150,000 people are enjoying a fun-filled rock day seeing Lady GaGa and Soundgarden. It's pretty cool and you're getting a backstage pass on some stuff that I don't think has ever been shown on TV before."
Married To Rock premieres Sunday, November 21 at 10.30pm only on E! Entertainment Television
http://www.digitalspy.com/ustv/interviews/a287543/susan-holmes-mckagan-married-to-rock.html
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