After spending his earlier years in a
private orbit, James McCartney might again retreat into seclusion when learning
that fans of his beloved dad are slamming him over his appearance.
Recently appearing with his legendary
father Paul McCartney at an event, James became entangled in comparison
conversations. People talked about how he looked so much like the senior
McCartney if he, too “was overweight and didn’t look after himself.”
The
only son of the international sensation Paul McCartney, and Linda McCartney
James McCartney, mostly shunned the celebrity lifestyle–even working as a
waiter–until the 2000s when he emerged as a musician.
His
stepsister Heather, 60, also embraced a mostly low-profile life as an
American-British potter, while big sisters Stella(51) and Mary (53) eagerly
followed the path paved by their father to fame.
Spending
the first almost three years of his life touring with Sir Paul and Lady Linda
in their group Wings, James was heavily influenced by the pop-rock culture
introduced to him by his musical parents.
“It’s
hard to live up to The Beatless When Wings toured they got slated. Even Dad
found it hard living up to The Beatles,” James told the daily mail. “I had
to serve my time as a musician and wait until I had a good body of songs and
for a time when both myself and my music were ready. I don’t want to sit
around. I want to earn my own living.”
In
the 2000s, James played backup percussion and guitar for some of his dad’s solo
releases, like “Flaming Pie” and “Driving Rain.” He also played lead guitar for
his mom on the track “The Light Comes from Within,” on the posthumously
released album “Wide Prairie.”
When
his mom died in 1998, James admits that his ‘perfect world’ was destroyed.
“When
I was 17 I wrote my first song and then Mum was diagnosed with cancer. She died
when I was 20 and that’s when I went into a very dark period,” he saidHe
continued, “I was studying art, photography and English at college. I had spent
a lot of time at home with Mum and Dad. I got a bit of flak from the college
because I wasn’t really present, but I never regretted spending that time with
her.”
James
found solace in drugs and alcohol, and distanced himself from the family.
Adding to his struggles was his relationship his dad’s new wife, Heather Mills,
whom Paul was married to from 2002 to 2008.
“My
relationship with Heather was not very good. I didn’t like her. But I wouldn’t
want to say anything negative about her because she’s a good mother to Beatrice
and that’s the most important thing,” James said, speaking of his baby sister
that Paul shares with Mills. “Beatrice is adorable. She’s great, a real joy for
the whole family.”
In
2007, when his award-winning dad was hospitalized and had angioplasty surgery,
James reconnected with his family. “Dad’s great now but that episode made me
realize how important he is to me. He was suffering in his own way [because of
his high-profile split from Mills]. He was under stress. In hindsight I wish
I’d been more supportive,” James said.
In
2011, Paul married Nancy Shevell, to which James says, “Nancy’s my new mother.
I feel that. Definitely. She’s very genuine.”
“I
removed myself from my family for a while. Now I want to immerse myself in
them,” James shared. “I love Dad so much. I’m in a happy place. I’m not high,
which is a good thing. I just want to be the best person I can be.”
Slowly
gaining traction as a reputable musician, James released his debut single
“Available Light” (2010) and then, collaborated with his dad, who worked as
co-producer, James delivered his first album, “Me” in 2013, followed by “The
Blackberry Train” in 2016.
Though
he lived a mostly private life, he told the BBC in 2012 that as a child, he
aimed to be “better than the Beatles.”
“When
I got to a certain age, I realized that I was somewhat better than other kids
at school at guitar and took pride and enjoyment in that,” James said .
“I
then dreamt of being better than The Beatles. I’m not sure if I can do that. If
anything, I would love to be equal to The Beatles–but even that’s quite tough.”
He
even revealed he was wanting to reanimate the Beatles with the progeny of the
Fab Four, including John Lennon’s son, Sean, son of George, Dhani
Harrison, and Ringo Starr’s two boys Zach and Jason Starkey.
But
quickly shutting down the media explosion over a Beatles incarnation, NBC
reports that James clarified that it was just a thought. “Well, looks like
quite some attention being given to my BBC interview! Honestly, I was just
thinking out loud about playing with Beatles family friends, nothing more. My
band’s going to be on tour in the UK and US for most of this year, and the
shows are going great! I’m so grateful…. Lots of love to you all…!”
Recently,
James appeared with his dad and big sisters at the private viewing of the “Paul
McCartney 1963-64: Eyes of the Storm” exhibition at the National Portrait
Gallery in London.
The
exhibition features extraordinary photographs taken by Sir Paul of The Beatles’
early days.
James,
looking similar to his famous dad, was dapper in a black suit paired with a
white shirt at the star-studded event.
Tossed
into the spotlight where he’s vulnerable to criticism, fans shared their harsh
opinions of James, who is a recovering addict.
“They
look very much alike! I think this is what Paul would’ve looked like (in his
heyday) if he was overweight and didn’t look after himself. His son needs to
start looking after himself. It seems as though he over eats, probably
an alcoholic. And doesn’t look like his hygiene is up to par.”
Many,
reacted to the Daily Mail writing on Facebook that James is Handsome:
“They have a different standard of what ‘handsome’ is….Yikes!” writes one user,
while another said, “I don’t think I would say he was handsome got his dad’s
eyes but that’s all.”
Some
suggested that James aged poorly: “Sorry to say this but his son looks like his
father and his father looks like his son.”
Falling
into the minority of cyber citizens defending James, one follower writes, “Wow
look at all the women body shaming the poor guy for his looks, if it was a
woman they would be all up in arms if there was any negative comments, leave
him alone ffs nothing wrong with him….probably gets more women than most men in
here too lol.”
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