Tantorious is a semi-monthly podcast series featuring interviews with well-known authors, hosted by Allan Hoving and presented by Tantor Audio.
Scott Thorson was the longtime companion of celebrity entertainer Liberace, who had plastic surgeons change the young man’s appearance to match his own. After their breakup, Thorson filed a palimony suit, then settled, and the two reconciled shortly before the entertainer’s death in 1987. Thorson’s book, “Behind the Candelabra: My Life With Liberace,” is being released in print, ebook, and audiobook editions by Tantor Media. An HBO movie, directed by Steven Soderbergh and starring Michael Douglas and Matt Damon as the couple, will air in May.
Excerpts from the audio interview:
Q: People may remember you as the handsome chauffeur in Liberace’s stage show. What do you want people to know about that time in your life?
A: If you can imagine a young man from foster homes in La Crosse, Wisconsin, who never had anything, being thrown into the wealth and fame of Liberace – it was overwhelming. Anything I wanted, he would give me.
Q: Why did Liberace hide his homosexuality?
A: He thought it would ruin his career. He did everything he could do to protect his image, which was the most important thing to him. I said, “Lee, anybody who goes on stage in 115 pounds of ostrich feathers and hotpants – come on!”
Q: Why is your story being made into a major motion picture 25 years later?
A: I haven’t seen it, haven’t read the script, haven’t talked to anyone from the production. I don’t even know how I’m portrayed. I’m flattered, but I really have no idea why now.
Listen to a sample of the Tantor audiobook edition of Behind the Candelabra, narrated by Peter Berkrot.
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