HELLO AMERICA!—When the public sees stars loaded down with fans and honors, they genuinely believe that life is perfect for them, but David Cassidy is the first to acknowledge that this is nonsense.
MSJ: When you were one of the main stars of The Partridge Family series, didn’t you feel that your life was perfect that you had arrived as far as success goes?
DC: No. I was glad that I was able to express myself as singer-actor but there were too many things that made me feel incomplete. I never felt normal. Millions of kids idolized me based on the character I played on the series. Listen, when you come from a broken home and you don’t feel a good connection with your father, you feel incomplete, no matter how much you accomplish. My father Jack was seldom there when I needed him most.
MSJ: So you really didn’t enjoy being so famous then?
DC: Oh, I wouldn’t say that I didn’t enjoy the admiration any young kid receiving all the publicity and attention that comes with success is a lot of fun and makes you feel important to people. But there is another side to life and that’s facing the reality of who you really are and what you genuinely need as a human being. When the stage lights dim and the audience head home, you’re left alone having to face and deal with certain truths of who you really are as a person and human being with the same needs as everyone else.
MSJ: Of course, during your maturing years in the 1970s, you were fortunate to have a stepmom like Shirley Jones who supported and worked with you on every level. Didn’t that make a difference?
DC: Of course it did. It took a little time for me to get use to having a stepmother in my life but eventually we were able to understand and communicate with each other. I had to realize and understand that anything that’s really good takes time to stick or connect. Shirley was always very caring and sensitive, easy to let go and be honest. And it was fun to be on the same show with her. I learned a lot from just watching her. She’s quite a lady.
MSJ: Now that you’re a father (Beau and Katie) are you more understanding of what your parents were concerned about when you were growing up?
DC: Of course! My kids are grown now but I have always been concerned about the friends they hook up with as well as some of the decisions they would make. You remember all the stupid things you did and you try and convince your kids not to make the same mistakes or choices. But that’s being a parent, it’s something that is universal. After all, they’re your kids.
MSJ: Are you happy with the person you are today?
DC: I’m still working at it and probably will continue to do so for the rest of my life. I have weaknesses and strengths and I wake up each day hopping that I will have the power to move in a more positive direction.
