Josh Groban defends Celine Dion

[Ronny83]

Josh Groban defends Celine Dion

By DAVID SCHMEICHEL - Sun Media

You’re not likely to find Josh Groban jumping on the anti-Celine Dion bandwagon, even after the much-maligned diva was voted one of Top 10 Worst Canadians in a recent poll.

 

No, Groban — the fresh-faced 26-year-old whose evocative baritone has made him an unlikely adult-contemporary star — has only the kindest of words for our Celine, with whom he performed one of his first high-profile gigs (as a last-minute replacement for Andrea Bocelli, no less).

 

“I don’t get it,” sighs Groban over the phone from Pennsylvania, after being told of Dion’s dubious distinction. “She’s a powerhouse. In this day and age, when more and more studio-produced, tiny-tiny voices are being rewarded ... she has this extraordinary instrument. She’s also one of the nicest people in the world. So over-the-top nice, I guess, that people think it’s an act.”

 

Before stepping into Bocelli’s shoes, Groban was a simple theatre major at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, where his vocal teacher happened to be an acquaintance of frequent Dion collaborator David Foster.

 

As luck would have it, the renowned Canadian producer happened to be shopping around for new voices, and after hearing a tape of Josh singing, Foster enlisted Groban — then 17 — to perform a Phantom of the Opera number for a crowd of 20,000.

 

Two weeks later, he called on Groban again, requesting his presence at the 1999 Grammy Awards, where Bocelli had just backed out of his duet with Dion.

 

Groban says Dion’s very un-diva-like behaviour was of great comfort to a nervous teen, especially since everyone else he encountered backstage was as demanding as they come.

 

“When she came out, she could see my hand was shaking, so she took my hand in hers and ran the lyrics with me to make sure we got everything right,” he recalls. “It takes a lot of energy to be that nice to everyone around you, but somehow, she makes it work.”

 

Over the years, Groban has been fortunate enough to take part in a number of similarly fruitful collaborations, performing with the likes of Barbra Streisand, Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Sarah Brightman (with whom he was again paired at last month’s Concert for Diana), and sharing writing credit with such talents as Dave Matthews and Imogen Heap.

 

“For me, it’s always exciting to get into a room with someone who’s a little bit different from what you do,” he says. “I’m always trying to surprise myself, and to surprise my fans.”

 

That attitude extends to the artists Groban draws inspiration from — trailblazers like Radiohead, Peter Gabriel and Björk — though he admits he still likes to be reminded of why he fell in love with a performer in the first place.

 

“There’s a fine line between stretching yourself and stretching yourself too thin,” he laughs.

 

An interesting choice of words, given that Groban is careful to make distinctions between real opera singers and pop artists like himself.

 

Though a big fan of opera, he doesn’t see himself recording a traditional album anytime soon, preferring to stick with material that’s better suited to his voice.

 

He’s also uncomfortable with all the attention that’s been lavished on his puppy-dog eyes and surfer curls, and does his best to keep the focus on his pipes, not his pinup status.

 

“I was kind of the geek in high school, so when women are screaming at me at my shows, it’s always a big surprise,” he says. “If looks have anything to do with it, that’s fine ... but when people come up to me on the street, it’s always a handshake and a thank you, not a, ‘Hey, it’s that guy, let’s take his picture.’ ”

http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/G/Groban...09/4404555.html

[CSCfan]

Bless him..

[Esty]

Bless him..

 

I agree! So nice of him!

[Kian]

Way to go Josh . I honestly don't get these people. Top 10 worst Canadians? Why? She doesn't have ONE scandal in her whole career, she's best selling female artist, she sold Caesar's Palace in the last 5 years almost every night, she records songs, albums, she's really nice to everyone... I DON'T GET IT ! These people who voted for her should have their head examined. I mean, it's one thing to not like someone or their music but ''worst Canadian''?? I think terrorists and murderers and other criminals should be worst Canadians (if there are any in Canada ) but Celine? O man, I really love those polls and those shallow, stupid people who create them . Edited August 9, 2007 at 09:27 AM by Kian

[nano]

awww. I love Josh

[Davey84]

Way to go Josh . I honestly don't get these people. Top 10 worst Canadians? Why? She doesn't have ONE scandal in her whole career, she's best selling female artist, she sold Caesar's Palace in the last 5 years almost every night, she records songs, albums, she's really nice to everyone... I DON'T GET IT ! These people who voted for her should have their head examined. I mean, it's one thing to not like someone or their music but ''worst Canadian''?? I think terrorists and murderers and other criminals should be worst Canadians (if there are any in Canada ) but Celine? O man, I really love those polls and those shallow, stupid people who create them .

 

they're just jealous!

[thevoice]

josh is one of the few superstars out there that stayed the same despite of all the fame and money - just like celine .

celine's reputation is in it's worst condition to date and some of the fans cant see it but it doesnt matter where when u r saying "celine dion" the reactions u get r not very positive and it's an understatment . alot of people compare her to barbra but i dont think she gets the same attitude - even people who dont like her respect her...with celine it's diffrent - maybe it will change one day

[Bellamy]

I think in this news they forgot to mention Celine was also voted as the best canadian on the same poll.

[Shaun]

Complete respect to Josh. In this day and age it's courageous for someone to come out and say that they actually like Celine so well done to him.

[Bellamy]

I think Josh would remember the special moment on 1999 Grammy rehearsal forever. He had told this story many many times in his interviews. That's the beginning of his career.

[Del]

Tal would be so proud of Josh

[Céline's Blues]

It's for sure Canadians hate Céline. It's natural for them to hate for politics. Céline and Quebec are politics if she wants it or not. Props for Joshyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy.

 

Thanks for the articolo!

[Nando Férri]

Oh... How gentle! I love this guy.

[Filine]

Oh... How gentle! I love this guy.

 

Thank you, Josh

[denise]

Now I love him even more!

[tativale]

Thank you Josh, I love you! LOL hahahah

 

He's cute & so right about Celine

[peo]

yay Josh!!! . I still say, people are sooo jealous of Celine, people know she's great at everything that she does, so they get jealous of it. But, I still don't get why she was voted One of worst Canadians?

[kathyc25]

Aw that`s so like him. Very sweet guy very kind to his fans as well!

[Krys]

go Josh!

[Tal]

 

 

I think a few of you here know how I feel about him, lol. Like Kathy said, its so like him to say that, and what he said was true. I think he made a good point as well; that she's so over the top nice that people think its fake.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ZoraSourit]

I'm suddenly in love with Josh Groban lol

[Koolan]

Props to Josh, now go record a duet with her.

[rodrigo_alka]

go josh !!!!

 

he might be thinking about another duet !

[Bell]

What he said about Celine is very nice. And it`s true!

[emmi]

Nice work Josh

[Celine CRAZY]

go josh !!!!

 

he might be thinking about another duet !

 

haha yea for sure!!! i just LOVE josh groban!!!

[dj4celine]

Josh is an amazing singer and an amazing person. I loved his voice from the very beginning and now I love him as a person

[SarahJB5]

yay Josh, what a nice guy, and a great voice too! I love him!!! That would be great if he and Celine would do another duet....

[LD1977]

Josh for president!!!!!

[A New Day Has Come]

Go Josh I love him he is a little Cutie indeed.