From Canadian Living.com:
July 3, 2014
Three things you didn’t know about Mike Holmes
By Brett WaltherWhether it’s reading their latest book, or re-watching the most recent episodes of their series, I’ve found that the key to giving a solid celebrity-designer interview is simply to be prepared.
What I wasn’t prepared for when interviewing Mike Holmes a few weeks back, however, was what a warm, funny and totally engaging guy he really is.
I had the opportunity to chat with Canada’s Most Trusted Contractor at First Canadian Place to celebrate the launch of his latest book, The Holmes Manual, and ended up learning (and laughing) just as much as the audience of 200 that joined us on the day.
Here are three of Holmes’s most candid revelations from our chat:
1. He landed his first TV gig—Holmes on Homes—by being loud. Back in 2001, Holmes was working behind-the-scenes on an HGTV program, and was overheard by a producer complaining (loudly) about shoddy construction practices and seedy contractors. Seeing the potential for a series, the producer had a cameraman follow Holmes around from job site to job site, getting a taste of his no-punches-pulled approach to home inspections, new builds and renos. The rest is history!
2. Brad & Angelina are really down-to-earth. Remember when Brad Pitt inadvertently triggered a trademark violation by branding his Hurricane Katrina aid endeavour, “Make it Right?” Turning an awkward sitch into an opportunity to help out, Holmes took his crew down to Louisiana to assist in the rebuild, and to raise the standard of hurricane-proof homes. While there, he met both Pitt and Jolie, and was struck by how normal they were. Who knew?
3. He doesn’t think of himself as a celebrity. I specifically asked Holmes if he can still do normal things himself, such as getting his own groceries. Although he’s quick to deny his celeb status, and still does the same daily errands as the rest of us, he admits it takes him longer. “I’ve answered 100 questions since I got out of bed this morning,” he laughs, noting that the simple act of getting his Tim Horton’s fix takes a lot longer when he’s recognized.
Got a question for Mike? It’s probably answered in his latest book, The Holmes Manual (Harper Collins, 2014, $35)—a compilation of his most frequently asked questions!
No comments:
Post a Comment