Access All Areas

Chapter Six

Whilst I waited for Mr Mega Famous and his chest to finish showering, I decided to use the time to chat with some of the backing singers and dancers. I thought it would be good to hear from those who know Rhys Ryan really well, who work with him regularly. From them, I have pretty much gathered that they all respect and admire him very much. On many an occasion, he's referred to as 'dope' 'badass' 'the bomb' 'funny' 'loyal' 'awesome' 'superstar' 'passionate' and pretty much all of them said that he's an absolute perfectionist in everything that he does. Many of his dancers and some of his singers have watched him grow as an artist, they have journeyed along with him on his musical path. They all said that the evolution of Rhys Ryan has been awe inspiring, especially when he's had to cope with the press constantly trying to beat him down in one way or another. One guy told me that just because he is Rhys Ryan, the media think that it's not okay for him to have a bad day, that it's not okay for him to have stuff going on in his private life. The same guy went on to tell me that he's still a human being, and although he is who he is, he should still be allowed to act like one.

Talking to the singers and dancers really was insightful. Not a single person had anything negative to say about him, yet it seems that is all the press seem to have on him. It's such a shame, it really is.

I've only spent my Friday evening with Rhys Ryan and I already know that he is passionate as an artist and passionate as a person. Passionate people tend to have this volatility within them, and it's that volatility that puts fire in their belly. As one of the dancers rightly said, Rhys Ryan is a human being, so should be allowed to act like one. He should be allowed to show his emotions without being muddied in the media for it. Just because he's a star, doesn't mean he can't say no.

No to paps.

No to the press.

No to over zealous fans.

I think that when someone becomes so hugely famous, we forget that they still have rights. What I am now wanting to come from out of this 'Access All Areas' with Rhys Ryan; it's that I do him media justice, both as a person and as an artist.

Yes, he can be closed off about his private life.

Yes, he's a vagina hopper.

Yes, he can be difficult at times.

But he's entitled to be all of those things. It just shouldn't define him any longer. There's so much more to who he is as a man and who he is as a singer. The world just hasn't seen it yet.

I cautiously went into this interview with an open mind. I had to put aside all that I have previously seen or been told about Rhys Ryan, otherwise I would have been professionally letting him down. I literally had dreaded doing this job, and dreaded going to the concert. But my opinion of the idol has completely changed. Because beneath all of the fame and the musical brilliance, lies a very real human being. One that is charming, silly, intelligent, witty and annoying. I love that he's so normal. I love that we are talking one minute, then bickering and laughing the next. That's the glory of normality. The glory of being human.

"Hey, you ready?" Cameron taps me on my arm, just as I'm flicking through some of my written notes on my notepad.

"Yeah, ready." I say with a small smile, noticing that Rhys Ryan is not too far behind him. Both of them are now beginning to look a little tired. Which is hardly surprising as it's nearly midnight.

I watch Rhys come closer. His hair looks a lot darker because it's still damp from his shower and up close, he's definitely looking a little more jaded now. His after-show buzz has most certainly been washed away. "So what now?" I cheerfully ask, trying to keep my own tiredness at bay.