candle.gif (2305 bytes)  Interview About Scientology   candle.gif (2305 bytes)

 

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.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

 

 

Back