Lord
of the Dance Star Michael Flatley has had his fair share of critics
in the past. Accusations of an over-sized ego are often levelled
at him by the press, though they tend to be based on the somewhat
spurious reasoning that Michael is very lavish. Michael is the first
to admit that he has expensive taste, but the softly spoken Chicago-born
star concedes this in a matter-of-fact manner without a trace of
arrogrance. Indeed, it is a vice that he confesses he has always
had, even as a penniless manual labourer.
 It
isn't too difficult to comprehend why someone who once worked so hard
for very little money would want to enjoy and celebrate his new found
wealth. Ironically, when lottery winners are splashed across the papers
jet-streaming champagne across a Ferrari, there is no question as to why
an everyday person who struck lucky should want to live the life they've
always dreamed about. And yet Michael, unlike a lottery winner, didn't
just get lucky. He worked long and hard to follow his dream, a point that
his critics sometimes fail to see.
It
seems only fitting that Michael, the epitome of the 'American dream',
should be launching The Beat of Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance
at Walt Disney World in Florida. After his huge successes in Ireland
and the UK, he is a name already known by most Americans, and this
shorter version of Lord of the Dance with its spectacular sets and
spell-binding dancing, couldn't be more perfect in Disney's magical
kingdom.
 OK!
magazine spoke to Michael as he prepared for his opening night at the
American Gardens Theatre and watched as the thrilled audience sat entranced
throughout, shifting position only for thunderous applause and a standing
ovation. Clearly, even with Michael no longer performing due to a knee
injury, he still manages to dance rings around his critics...
Michael,
how did Lord of the Dance at Disney World come about?
Disney
approached us after some of their top executives had seen the
show. They got together with my agents in LA to see if I'd be
interested in putting together a special version of the show and
they told me how much money was involved and I said "Yes!"
No, not really. I wanted to work with Disney because they're a
great name in entertainment and we're a great match.
How
have you chosen the dance troupe?
I've
worked with some of them before. We had to be very specific becuase
I wanted some seasoned vets along with some young blood. They
also had to be in great physical condition because of the heat
- some days it can be nearly 100 degrees and there's no air conditioning.
It can be very tiring.
 Did
you ever come to Disney World as a kid or have a favourite Disney character?
No,
never. I was never really into cartoons. I hope I won't get into
trouble for that!
Did
you ever envisage this much success when you were working for your
family's construction company in Chicago?
I
always knew that I would persevere and get my own show together
eventually. I'm not too proud to admit that I dug ditches for
a long time, that my job was manual labor. I was good at it, too.
I was there at six o'clock in the morning and I was still there
when the bell rang at six-thirty in the evening. I don't think
hard work has ever killed anyone. It taught me the discipline
I need for this business as well. Peaople tend to think you get
lucky and that's how you get your big break, but I don't believe
in that. I've worked so hard my whole life in everything, whether
it was boxing or music or digging ditches or dancing. I've worked
hard because I've always felt that the harder you worked, the
luckier you got.
Yet
now you're in a position where you could choose not to work anymore...
It's
easy to say money isn't everything when you have money, but it's
not. the more moeny you have, the more you realize it. I love
all the dancers I work with. Just because I've made a few bucks
doesn't mean I'm going to abandon it all. I have to stick with
this because the fans expect it and it's a good thing to spread
some culture around the world. And I think it's a good thing to
bring a bit of happiness into people's lives. but yes, I'm probably
a workaholic, too.
You
clearly enjoy everything you do...
I
think you have to. In fact, I've just finished writing a book
that's a lot to do with enjoying what you do for a living. If
you love what you do then work is not work. You wake up and you're
delighted to go to your job because you're happy. If more people
could do that then there'd be a lot less trouble in the world.
Do
you get the same buzz from electrifying an audience as a choreographer
and as a director as you did as a performer?
It's
impossible to compare the two. The trick in my business is to
separate yourself as the creator and the artist. That's one thing
I think the press miss out on. I separate myself between me, Michael
Flatley, and me, the performer. You have to, otherwise, it gets
too confusing. You might ask yourself: 'would I wear this outfit
normally?' and the answer is probably, 'No, of course not.' But
on stage, if this is what the audience wants and it fits with
the show, then yes, you have to.
 You
recently set up home in London despite the hard time you've had from some
of the British press. You must like the city a lot.
I
love London no matter what the press say or do. To be honest,
I don't hate the press. Those guys got to make a living, the same
as everyone else. They fought for their country. I admire people
like that. And they all drive the same Ferrari as me so they have
good taste, too!
Your
former dance troup member Bernadette Flynn described you as having
put sex appeal into Irish dance. Was this intentional?
No,
when you're dancing you're not really thinking that way. It's
completely unintentional. I'm flattered that Bernadette said that,
though. You're thinking, again. about the show and yourself as
the product in the show. People expect you to walk on the edge
and to perform a certain way. I tink it's more exciting that way
and makes for a better performance.
 Does
your army of female fans ever get out of control?
Yes
and no. Most of the time, no. I'm a lucky guy to have women think
of me as sexy, although I have had a couple of stalkers and they
have been quite difficult to deal with really. But the majority
are fine, it's just some that are out to lunch.
Are
you dating anyone at the moment?
Can
I pass on that question?
Well,
if you could add anything to the Michael Flatley CV, what would
it be?
I
think that you've got to try everything. Who knows, I might go
and get my Formula 1 license because I love racing my cars. I
think the one rule in life is that there are no rules. My biggest
fear is that I'd be on my death bead looking back thinking, 'I
wish I'd done that' and not been able tobecause there's no time
left.
Tell
me about the animated film you've recently completed...
The
animated movie, as yet untitled, very much captures the spirit
of Lord of the Dance. It's fictional tale and wonderful story.
it's great for children because, like my book, it's about following
your dreams. It's how I feel about life.
 Dreaming
has helped you come a long way...
Five
years ago, I was so broke I couldn't pay attention, but I always
knew I'd make it. If I had only $100 I'd go out and buy a great
bottle of wine. It's like having my show down here at Disney World.
It's the top of the world. Even when I was asked to perform at
the Oscars, my first question was, 'Who else is performing?' and
I was told it was Madonna and Celine Dion. Then I asked if I was
in the middle and they said: 'Yeah, you're the centerpiece.' so
I said 'Done!' It's a big high, like Disney.
What
would you say now to those people who once told you to get a "proper"
job?
I'd
say to them - as I would say to anyone - that you really have
to follow your dreams. That doesn't mean that you don't have to
dig a few ditches in your time, but if you keep on digging long
and hard enough you'll make it eventually.
What's
the motto of your life?
I
think it's probably live fast, die young.
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