If you mix Jacqueline Susan Valley of the Dolls with New York Post‘s Page sixWith a little Jackie Collins and a sprinkle of Candace Bushnell, you might get something close to the first novel by famed public relations agent and gossip historian Rob Shooter, It began with a whisper: a novel built on a thousand stories.
The book focuses on four gossip columnists — one man, James, and three women — drawn from Shooter’s years in the business, including his stint as a host at VH1’s. Gossip table. Is James based on Shooter himself? “Sure,” he laughs. “It’s me… on a really good day, braver, sharper, a little more reckless. I’m more cautious in real life – but the establishment is right. A working-class kid from Birmingham, who somehow ends up on American television? That part still seems surreal.”
But although his novel may be fictional, the characters in it clearly had some real-life role models. Below, Shooter dishes on some of them.
Sean Combs: “Working with him was a magician who would never show you the trick. He would bend over to you, make you feel like you were the coolest person in the room – quietly controlling every moving piece around you: a little PT Barnum, a little Donald Trump.”
Jennifer Lopez: “A machine – in the best possible way. Being J.Lo is not a role. It’s full-time discipline. No days off. No slippage. Just relentless focus. I’ve watched people roll their eyes backstage, dismiss her, belittle her… She sees it all. She works harder. Then she wins. Every time.”
Naomi Campbell: “Exactly as advertised. Charming, controlling, fully aware of her power, and expects you to be aware of it too. With Naomi, it either comes out right…or it doesn’t.”
Kate Spade: “Kate had elegance and secrecy. Polished and generous—with a shadow just beneath the surface. She would sneak cigarettes and devour gossip as if it were candy: Vogue magazine in one hand, National Enquirer Tucked discreetly inside.
Tyra Banks: “Totally, unapologetically Tyra. At a charity photoshoot, she realized she was the only one who wasn’t getting paid — and immediately made it right. No hesitation. No apology. Honesty? Respect.”
There are two more books on the way, and TV interest is already growing for this first book. “Things are happening,” says Shooter. “Conversations are ongoing.” “The most surreal part? I don’t have an agent. Or a manager. Or a publicist. People just… find me. And get into my DMs.” Nancy Grace actually contributed to the book: “If Jackie Collins and Truman Capote had a child, this would be it.”
