Vanessa Kisuule: Neverland
Self-proclaimed Michael Jackson obsessive Vanessa Kisuule examines the nuances of ‘fandom’ in conversation about her new book Neverland.
Why do famous musicians mean so much to us? How does the pop culture industry both mirror and magnify the worst aspects of human nature? Why is it so hard to accept that the people we love, famous or not, can be capable of doing terrible things?
As conversations about abuse perpetrated by public figures become louder, and from her very personal perspective as a Michael Jackson obsessive, poet Kisuule examines the nuances of ‘fandom’: of celebrities as symbols and fantasies, of child stars and power imbalances.
Neverland invites us to question the dangers of idolising and villainising individuals and asks us to be unafraid of scrutinising the ugly and contradictory aspects of these issues. It also holds space for the joy we all get from music and explores ways we can preserve this.
Kisuule explores her own experience of being a mega fan and the evergreen question of whether we can, or should, separate the art from the artist. With references to R Kelly, Michael Jackson, Britney Spears and other famous figures, this is both a love letter to the musicians we adore and an unflinching look at the costs of hero worship.
Come and hear Kisuule discuss and read from the book, and join the conversation in our audience Q&A.
Need to know
For your visit
This event is held at the Purcell Room Southbank Centre
The Purcell Room is located in the Queen Elizabeth Hall, which is open from 90 minutes before events start until they finish. It’s closed at all other times.
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