JOHN TRAVOLTA INTERVIEW WITH THE GERMAN MAGAZINE
STERN
Below are excerpts from an interview with John Travolta published in the German magazine
Stern on March 20, 1997. The parts excerpted are those in which he comments on the
situation facing Scientologists in Germany.
20 MARCH 97
GERMANY, STERN MAGAZINE
IT IS NO SURPRISE THAT HE PLAYS AN ANGEL. IT IS KNOWN THAT THE COOLEST GUY OF HOLLYWOOD
TENDS TOWARDS THE SPIRITUAL POWERS. IN “STERN” THE MULTI-MILLIONAIRE AND HOBBY-PILOT
TALKS ABOUT SOARING FLIGHTS, CRASHES AND HIS LONG-TERM MEMBERSHIP WITH THE SCIENTOLOGISTS.
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There are few in Hollywood who have climbed higher and fallen deeper than John Travolta,
42. In the 70s he was a superstar and sex symbol—as the dancer in “Saturday Night
Fever”—then his career cooled off faster than the disco-fever. Only his role in
“Pulp Fiction” brought him to the top again: Since his role as the heroin-shooting
killer the 43 year old is considered the “coolest guy of Hollywood” (“Entertainment
Weekly”) and he is doing one movie after another, and is being paid $20 million a film.
His latest creation: the comedy “Michael”, where Travolta plays a sinful angel, with a
small belly and big irony. The winged one drinks, loves fries, hangs out in bars and lies.
“Luckily”, said the grinning star with constant tendency to a double chin, “everyone
considered a fat angel funny!”
Nora Ephron’s movie will be released in the German cinemas next week. When his last
melo-drama, “Phenomenon” was released here there were big protests—because of his
membership in Scientology. Travolta is perplexed by the controversy regarding the sect.
“What the heck is the matter in your area” was his welcome of the STERN-reporter to
the Interview in Hollywood. He rejected critical questions about the sect where he has
been a member for more than 21 years; after all Scientology would be officially recognized
in America. There, no one would get the idea to attack him over it: “But why in
Germany?” The Hubbard-empire does get criticized in the USA as well (the news-magazine
TIME called Scientology a “Cult of Greed”) but the actor cares little about that:
“All new religions get condemned like this, the same was said about the Christians back
when.” Travolta talked with Claus Lutterbeck about his belief and career.
STERN: And Scientology has helped you?
TRAVOLTA: Yes, right away. I attended the first courses in
1975 and they changed my life. I had more confidence in my talent and no longer had as
much self-doubt. It can be rough amongst actors, the criticism is tough and every one is
trying to put the other down.
STERN: In Germany, a few groups called for a boycott of your movie “Phenomenon”, as it
would be promotion for Scientology.
TRAVOLTA: That is ridiculous. Disney made this movie, a
Catholic wrote the script, and I was only contracted after the whole thing had already
been decided.
STERN: Members of the governing parties had called for the boycott.
TRAVOLTA: Back home this would be inconceivable. As American
I consider it totalitarian if someone calls for a boycott of movies. It reminds me of the
Germany of the 30s. To Americans religious freedom is sacred. You can be against anything
in private life but a member of the government could not afford to engage in such
behavior. He would be fired instantly.
STERN: How to do explain these reactions?
TRAVOLTA: Obviously, in Germany one does not know what
Scientology is. But I believe it is only a handful who are so loud. It can’t be all
Germans.
STERN: But most regard Scientology as a man-despising money-machine.
TRAVOLTA: I really do not understand what is happening in
Germany. It is incomprehensible to me. Germany, of all places, a country which has
contributed so much to art. By the way, I speak German well (He says in German:) “Can I
please have a cup of milk?”
STERN: Good accent, how many years did you learn.
TRAVOLTA: Only two in High School, but Mrs. Schwarz was a
strict teacher. German is still my favorite language.