I thought that you might like a copy of one of TJs interview from the 9th-22nd October Issue of `Smash Hits`. In each issue there is an interview section called, `No! Not the Biscuit tin!`. Once fortnight a chosen pop celebrity of the week must pick and open 20 envelopes at random out of a possible 100 from the dreaded biscuit tin and answer them. None of the questions can be passed.
Recently a new rule has been added, a new bit. There are 5 `killer questions` hidden in black envelopes. These are the new `TOUGH COOKIES` and 3 of them must be answered. This was first time that this new rule was put into practice. TJ was the guinea-pig.
_______________________________________________________________ No! Not the Biscuit Tin!
T.J. recoils in horror and wonders `Why` he has to face the new Tough Cookies... And the first question from the tin is.....
What was the last thing that made you angry?
(Thinks for a long time) I haven't been angry too often, but for my graduation, I hired a photographer to take pictures for me to keep. But all he did was eat food when he was supposed to be taking pictures of me. So I got fresh and kinda angry with him. Now I know not to hire someone.
How do you know youre in love?
I think I'm in love when I'm willing to do almost anything for someone. When something happens to her and it affects my day. When I think about the girl a lot, wondering whats going on and what shes doing.
How many times have you been in love?
I think I've been in love twice. But I only had two main girlfriends, and went out with each of them for two years. Ive had a couple of girlfriends who I've only seen for a couple of weeks, too. So I've only had about four or five girlfriends, but I think I've only been in love with two of them.
How many pairs of pants do you own?
I probably own 16. (Considers.) No, twelve pairs of boxer shorts and 6 pairs of briefs, so I would say 18. But I usually only travel with about six pairs of boxers and wash them a lot. So the other six boxers dont really get worn, except in an emergency.
If you could swap places with someone, who would it be?
I'm a really big admirer of my uncle Michael - the way he acts, his beliefs and just the way he lives - but I dont think I could handle all the negative media and the pressure and everything. So I guess I would choose, like, an innocent kid because theyre so lucky that, they dont have any worries. Like my little cousins. All they do is play all day, and it seems so much fun. (Pauses.) No, can I change my answer? I think I'd swap places with someone who lives in Spain. A 17-year-old kid living in Spain, because its just a whole other life and Id want to see what it was like. Id like to go to a lot of clubs and not have the Jackson surname, just to see what its like. Just to compare the two lifestyles.
Are you a great kisser?
(laughs.) I'm OK. I mean, I've never kissed myself, so I wouldnt really know. No girl has ever really complained and not wanted to kiss me again, though. I guess I get the job done.
Whats your favourite book?
My favourite book is called `Awaken the Giant Within` and it was written by Anthony Robbins. The reason why its my favourite book is that its so inspirational. It's just a confidence builder for each and every individual. It just makes you believe you can do anything you want, and thats very important to everyone. There's so much negativity in the world.
What would be the title of your life story?
I don't know really. I figure I would have to call it `Me, myself and I` because of the fact that Im so scattered with so many things going on. What with school and sports and music, I have so many things that I want to do. My life is all over the place, but I'm still one person.
How often do you change your socks?
I change my socks every morning. I sleep with my socks on. I like to stretch my toes and move them all around, so the socks sort of restrain that. But if I play basketball or take part in a sports game, I'll change them immediately afterwards. So the answer is, at least once a day, sometimes twice.
Do you floss?
I dont floss every day, unfortunately. When I go to the dentist, I always get packets of floss and say I'm going to floss every day, but I don't. I sort of floss once every two weeks, but I brush twice a day.
[TOUGH COOKIE] Have you ever had plastic surgery?
No, I haven't. None of us have. Do people really think that? Really? Thats amazing.
Which came first: the chicken or the egg?
The egg, because if the chicken came first, you'd see the chicken and you wouldn't need the egg. The purpose of the egg is to protect the chicken. (Starts to look worried.) I dont know. (Laughs.) Yeah, I've still got to go with the egg.
Can you answer this question without saying yes or no?
Uhh-uhh. I don't think so. I suppose so. Maybe.
[TOUGH COOKIE] Do you have a girlfriend?
No, not at the moment. Im too busy.
Are you happy with your name?
Its my dads name. Yuh, I'm happy. I like Tito Joe, and the way you can shorten it to TJ. I like having two names. In other countries, like in Italy, they call me Tito Joe. But everyone in my family calls me TJ.
Have you ever broken any bones?
I broke my middle finger when I was about four. It happened when I was bowling. I was holding the ball, but was so scared that I let go of it. And the ball crushed my finger and blood came out. I think my nail came off, thats why. It was disgusting.
[TOUGH COOKIE] Tell us a deep, dark family secret...
(Pauses for a very long time.) There's nothing you dont know! I'm trying to think of my brothers. OK, I know. For Christmas one year, we played Pictionary. It was my father, my brothers and I against Janet, my grandmother and two other women. Guys against girls, and we won! The thing was, when we all left, my grandmother and Janet were left staring at the board, thinking about where they went wrong. It just shows you how competitive we all are. They didnt take it as just a game - it was serious to them.
Do you ever wear other peoples clothes?
Yes, all the time. This is Taryll's shirt I've got on now (blue-marl, with a jumping troll in a circle on it, saying `Finally Seniors 96), and the boxers I'm wearing are my friend Andrew's. Hes like my brother. They're washed, of course! These socks are Andrew's, too. I slept at his house last night. I usually end up wearing someone else's shirt.
Who is your idol?
I would say my uncle Michael. Just because of everything hes faced and how strong he is as a person. How much he's been through and how well hes coped. Plus, how much he loves kids and how much he does for the world. I think thats important for anyone whos successful in life.
Whats the best thing a fans ever given you?
I like everything. I like it when they do drawings. A lot of fans give us shirts and clothes with cartoon character on. One gave me a cool Daffy Duck shirt and I wear that a lot. So thats the best thing that a fans given me. Its a T-shirt and hes saying, "I'm not out of control". It was an English fan.
__________________________________________________________________________ Words by GINA MORRIS. Supplied to this site by EMMA, 3T fan.