For most of us, post–New Year’s denials come in the form of contested pukings or dance-floor make-outs. Blessedly, celebrities are much more interesting: Yesterday, both Warren Beatty and Andrew W.K. released denials of surreal, awesome claims.
Beatty’s dealing with utterly reprehensible allegations — derived from Star: How Warren Beatty Seduced America, a new biography by Peter Biskind — that he has slept with “12,775 women, give or take.” (By the way, the figure does not include “daytime quickies” or “drive-bys,” for some reason.) The Post has excerpts from the book that run through Beatty’s more famous (alleged!) conquests, including Jane Fonda, Joan Collins, Julie Christie, Diane Keaton, and Janice Dickinson (but not Fran Drescher, who sensibly turned him down). The Post calls Star an “authorized” biography, but a lawyer for Beatty told the Huffington Post that the book not only was unauthorized, but also falsely quotes Beatty, to which we’d like to say: Wow, 12,775! Not bad, Warren!
Meanwhile, Andrew W.K. is refuting claims that he does not exist. This one’s actually been bouncing around for a while, with the allegation being that the character “Andrew W.K.” is a marketing invention masterminded by a secretive figure known as Steev Mike. But a recent spoken-word appearance in London in which W.K. makes a “confession” has stirred this stuff up again. Said the partying aficionado at the time:
He’s pretty deadpan as he’s saying it, but then he gets into a conversation about identity, so yeah, it’s kind of confusing. So yesterday, W.K. cleared it up further with an emphatic post on his website (Kanye would be proud), saying:
Andrew W.K. was created by a large group of people … they met, and I was there, and we talked about how we could come up with something that would move people. It was done in the spirit of commerce. It was done in the spirit of entertainment, which usually goes hand in hand with commerce. I was auditioned, alongside many other people, to fill this role of a great front man, a great performer.
He’s pretty deadpan as he’s saying it, but then he gets into a conversation about identity, so yeah, it’s kind of confusing. So yesterday, W.K. cleared it up further with an emphatic post on his website (Kanye would be proud), saying:
Since 2001, I have been accused of being part of a conspiracy in which I knowingly entered into a contract with creative directors called Steev Mike, who proceeded to invent a new identity for me to perform under. I’m here to say this is simply not true and a gross exaggeration of easily explainable and common-place music industry practices. Of course I work with people who choose not to include their whole names or real names in the credits, or who aren’t on stage with me during my shows - but taking advice and guidance from other people doesn’t mean I’m a victim of mind-control. That’s like science fiction! Andrew W.K. is about partying and doing what you want! We want fun, and that really is what I am about.
The post goes on for a whole while longer, and ends with “PARTY HARD.” It’s a simple, powerful message, and it’s one that Warren Beatty has wonderfully already taken to heart.
Andrew W.K.’s Statement 1/3/10 [Andrew W.K.]
Sexy tell-all jumps into Beatty’s bed [NYP]