BY THOM SENZEE
Life with La Toya star, La Toya Jackson will be grand marshal at this year’s San Diego LGBT Pride parade. She will also be introducing the winner of the Voice of Pride singing contest during the Pride festival. San Diego LGBT Weekly spoke with the superstar by phone yesterday and got some insight about what it’s like to work with Oprah Winfrey and to be a Jackson.
This Ms. Jackson had a special request of LGBT Weekly readers: This Saturday, please check out the first episode of Life With La Toya: Extra Giggles, which is basically a re-air of the entire first season for folks who missed it with fun factoids that will pop up onscreen during the show. That’s Saturday, June 29 at 10:30 p.m. EDT/PDT.
LGBT Weekly: What is the biggest misconception about you, La Toya?
La Toya Jackson: It’s the same as with my family: People think they know us; and they think we’re all crazy! But we’re actually pretty normal when it comes right down to our everyday lives. We’re just like other families. OK, but in actuality, most families I know are pretty crazy. Every family has a certain level of craziness. In fact, I’d say on a scale of one to 10, my family is a solid seven. Where would you put yours on a scale of one to 10? (Giggles) Well, I don’t know how to answer that. Let’s just say there’s always something going on with one of us. But there’s so much more to us than that.
What has it been like working with Oprah and having your own show on her network?
She is so great and easy to work with. It has really been a pleasure and an honor to be on her network and working with her company.
What’s your history with the LGBT community?
When I released my first song, I was delighted to learn that 90 percent of my base was comprised of gay men. It’s an honor to be among the ranks of artists like Cher and Diana (Ross), who can say their fan base is the gay community.
Read our full interview with La Toya Jackson in the special Pride print edition and online, July 11 to find out what are Jackson’s favorite episodes of Life with La Toya, how her father has changed through the years and what to expect from her show next season.
