Get the best of Oprah.com in your inbox. Sign up for our newsletters!
Oprah Talks to Bette Midler

Oprah: That sounds like Lucy and Ethel at the chocolate factory in I Love Lucy!

Bette: Lucille Ball was one of the greatest. I laugh till I cry when I watch that episode. Lucy was an inspiration to me because she was older when she started, and she'd been completely wasted in movies.

Oprah: I've heard a couple of people say that your show is Lucyesque, which is a huge compliment.

Bette: It is a huge compliment—too big. She was like Chaplin. Most people don't deserve to be spoken of in the same breath as Chaplin or Lucille Ball.

Oprah: You once told me that you never read any of your press.

Bette: I decided years ago not to read stories about myself anymore. Each one is a potential minefield: Whatever it says, you're bound to take it the wrong way. Why do it if you know it's going to make you miserable?

Oprah: What in particular led to this decision?

Bette: I read a comment that made me think I should stop singing for a while. And I didn't want to stop singing, because it was the only thing I loved. At first I thought, "Maybe I'll get better and eventually please the person who wrote about my singing." But then I thought, "I probably will never please this person. I should just do what pleases me."

Oprah: So you made a vow never to read another thing?

Bette: Yes. We Midlers are tough!

Oprah: You won't even read this article?

Bette: No, I will not. Do you mind?

Oprah: I don't mind. I find it admirable. It takes self-confidence to do that.

Bette: Well, it takes knowing what you can and cannot absorb—knowing your own strengths and weaknesses.

Oprah: So do you come from a confident place within yourself?

Bette: I come from an overly confident place. But I'm overconfident because of feelings of inferiority. Know what I mean?

Oprah: Yes—I know what that feels like.

Bette: I'm confident that I'm as intelligent as many people, but I know that I'm not as intelligent as some. So in the presence of hyperintelligent people, I'm a shrinking violet because I don't want to look like a fool. I know a little about a lot and a lot about a little.
PAGE 7 of 15
..
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
..
15
Loading...
Advertisement
IN THE CURRENT ISSUE
Express yourself! We've got 26 ways to tell your story and share it with the world, jeans that make you look 10 pounds thinner, and recipes for the easiest dinner party you'll ever throw.
see all new stories
Advertisement
Advertisement