Whoopi Goldberg and Tom Selleck memoirs look back at their beginnings
May 24, 2024
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Whoopi Goldberg and Tom Selleck share insights on their new memoirs, discussing family dynamics, Hollywood experiences, and coping with loss. Goldberg reflects on beauty standards and grief, while Selleck talks about his reluctance towards roles and being labeled a 'mustachioed hunk'.
Whoopi Goldberg's memoir explores family influences and identity, emphasizing self-acceptance over societal beauty standards.
Tom Selleck reflects on his Hollywood career, highlighting risks taken in defying expectations and challenges of fame.
Deep dives
Whoopi Goldberg's Memoir Bits and Pieces
Whoopi Goldberg's new memoir, Bits and Pieces, delves into her personal relationships with her mother and brother, shedding light on her upbringing and the influence of her family members on her life. Goldberg highlights the importance of remembering her family's stories and embraces her unique identity, which was nurtured by her mother's encouragement to be true to herself. Through her memoir, Goldberg eloquently captures themes of love, grief, and resilience in coping with loss.
Challenging Beauty Standards
In her memoir, Whoopi Goldberg reflects on her mother's response to societal beauty standards and recalls a poignant conversation where her mother emphasized that she looks like herself, rejecting traditional notions of beauty. Goldberg candidly discusses the challenges of conforming to Hollywood's beauty ideals and emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance. Her narrative underlines the shifting perspectives on beauty and the empowerment found in embracing one's unique appearance.
Tom Selleck's Unconventional Journey in Hollywood
Tom Selleck's memoir, You Never Know, offers insights into his legendary career in Hollywood, starting with his accidental entry into acting. Selleck candidly discusses his reservations about playing Thomas Magnum in Magnum PI, highlighting the risks he took in defying expectations and crafting a complex character. He shares his approach to challenging clichés in series television and reflects on the impact of fame on his privacy, revealing a nuanced perspective on stardom and the evolving nature of the entertainment industry.
Today's episode is about two massive stars: Whoopi Goldberg and Tom Selleck. First, Goldberg speaks with NPR's Ayesha Rascoe about her new memoir, Bits and Pieces, which touches on her relationship with her mother, the way she navigated beauty standards growing up, and what it means to grapple with grief over time. Then, Selleck joins NPR's Scott Simon to discuss You Never Know, his initial reluctance to take on his role in Magnum P.I. and his thoughts on being labeled a "mustachioed hunk." To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookoftheday