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American Morning
Interview of Danielle Dubin, "People" Magazine
Aired December 26, 2001 - 09:49 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: As you might know, Paula Zahn is on vacation, but before she left, she sat down with one of the editors of "People" magazine to talk about their selections for the 25 most intriguing people of the year. Let's check it out.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: 2001 was a year in which the real stars turned out to be real people, a year when celebrities were humbled by heroes who put their lives on the line to save countless others. George Bush led the fight against terror, Rudy Giuliani carried a wounded city on his shoulders. They are two of "People" magazine's most intriguing people of 2001, and "People"'s Danielle Dubin is here to tell us more. Good to see you. Happy holidays.
DANIELLE DUBIN, PEOPLE MAGAZINE: Thank you, thank you very much.
ZAHN: So let's start with President George Bush. He is one of the 25 most intriguing in this latest issue.
DUBIN: He certainly is. He entered into office with having lost the popular vote after the the voting debacle in Florida, and in the wake of September 11th, really acted decisively and led the nation and really embodied a nation's sadness and anger and spoke to us all.
ZAHN: And there is someone else that spoke to us all, and that is the mayor of New York City, outgoing Rudy Giuliani.
DUBIN: Very much so. He was having his private life played out at the time, and put aside his personal woes to take charge of the city, to calm our fears, to tell us when it was okay to carry on. We really looked to him as New Yorkers, I think the whole country did.
ZAHN: The whole country also saluted firefighters as our new heroes.
DUBIN: Absolutely.
ZAHN: Often neglected in our national consciousness.
DUBIN: That's why it is nice to have them in this issue. Their bravery and compassion and tireless efforts has really inspired a nation.
ZAHN: And it is so funny, I'm sure you -- this has happened to you when you interview these firefighters, they don't -- they appreciate the adulation, but they are --
DUBIN: But they are just doing their jobs.
ZAHN: Yeah. So committed to what they are doing.
DUBIN: Absolutely. So inspiring.
ZAHN: It is not normal for "People" magazine to focus in on national security advisers, as you did in this issue with Condoleezza Rice. Why did you pick Condi?
DUBIN: Well, Condi, she's a very private person who has been thrust to the forefront. She's taking a very prominent role in the Bush Administration and in this war time think-tank, and it's interesting, she's taking a very forceful lead, and it is fun to watch her do that. Almost to the point where people are wondering about Colin Powell, and is there a threat there, but she is holding her own very gracefully.
ZAHN: And Gary Condit is a man who also finds himself in this issue. Now, I think he's -- probably, maybe just as reviled as he is found intriguing by some Americans here. Why did you put him in this issue?
DUBIN: Well, you know, it's interesting. He has gotten a little bit of a reprieve in the press now that we're covering September 11th and those events. And instead of sort of enjoying that, he has announced he is running for election again, in the face of a very ongoing active investigation, and that's interesting. Interesting to see what's going to happen there.
ZAHN: But you certainly recognize he is very much a lightning rod.
DUBIN: Yes, very much so, and this --
ZAHN: And these are all allegations, at this point, about Chandra Levy's disappearance.
DUBIN: Absolutely.
ZAHN: But nevertheless --
DUBIN: A dark cloud, and one that he is going to carry on through.
ZAHN: In entertainment, you pay attention to Julia Roberts in this issue. She, of course, took home an Oscar last year.
DUBIN: Erin Brockovich. She is irrevocably Hollywood's leading lady now, but she's also -- a movie star, but also a very real person who has dedicated a lot of her time and her money to the September 11th funds. She has suffered a break-up this past year, but still remains a very accessible superstar, a new movie star, and it's a pleasure to watch her. Three very successful movies this year (ph).
ZAHN: And in the sports world, you pay attention to Barry Bonds in this issue.
DUBIN: I do. He is a record breaker. 73 home runs. He beat Mark McGuire's 1998 record for MVP's, that's a first in baseball. All at the not-so-tender age in baseball terms of 37. So, it's pretty impressive.
ZAHN: And there is kind of a new category in the magazine this year, I guess. What would you call it, the rich guy, eccentric category?
DUBIN: Dennis Tito has proved that money can buy happiness, and can buy everything. For $20 million, it bought him six days on the International Space Station. He is a billionaire, and also a former NASA engineer, and got to enjoy his six days up there. NASA was not thrilled with the idea, but I think he was up there, and it was successful.
ZAHN: He has a unique way of looking at the world. What did your reporters find about him?
DUBIN: He is just having fun. You know, he is living a dream, and there is something very inspiring in that, and he wanted to go up, and now he has sort of caught the fever, wants to do it again. I don't think you can you do something like that once and just sit back and enjoy it. I think he is really thrilled with it, enraptured with it.
ZAHN: How hard is it to pick just 25 people when you think of everybody we have read about and we have seen on television this year?
DUBIN: It's really hard, and especially challenging this year. We look back every year to see who has made a difference, and in the wake of September 11th, making a difference has changed. In fact, the word "celebrity" has changed. So, it was harder this year, and it's why you'll see a mix of people that have you heard of and maybe a few of others that you haven't.
ZAHN: Well, Danielle Dubin, nice to have you with us here through the holidays, as we focus in on your latest issue of "People" magazine, the World's 25 Most Intriguing People.
DUBIN: Thank you.
ZAHN: have a good rest of the holidays.
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