Mick Jagger has responded to comedian John Mulaney's remarks that he was not "nice" during their collaboration on Saturday Night Live, acknowledging that decades of global fame have inevitably shaped his outlook. The Rolling Stones frontman addressed the comments in an interview with The New York Times Magazine.
Mulaney's Original Remarks
Mulaney, a former Saturday Night Live writer, reflected on his experience with Jagger in his 2019 stand-up special Kid Gorgeous at Radio City. "My friends were all like, 'Is he nice?' No. Or maybe he is, for his version of life because he has a very different life," Mulaney said. "He's played to stadiums of 20,000 people cheering for him like he's a god for 50 years. That must change you as a person."
Jagger's Response
Asked about those comments, Jagger said he had never watched the comedy special but agreed that his life differs significantly from that of most people. "Obviously, it's not normal," he said. "It is not like most people's lives. It does affect you. You can become disassociated." The 82-year-old musician explained that he has made a conscious effort to remain connected to everyday life despite his international success. "I mean, you do fight against it. It's a conscious effort," he said.
Staying Grounded
Describing how he stays grounded, Jagger added, "It's quite easy, really. You go out and walk on the street on your own and do normal things, go and buy The New York Times. But, nevertheless, that's only temporary because psychologically your actual state of mind is permanently damaged." Jagger also reflected on the challenges of balancing a public persona with private life, saying performers often develop larger-than-life identities that can be difficult to leave behind.
The Show Business Dichotomy
He concluded, "This is the show business dichotomy and it's something you learn to live with, and you always hope that you're a so-called normal person underneath."
