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Jocelyn From the Ashes
By Talia Hirsch
Jocelyn still lives in the house.
The house, a $70 million Bel-Air mansion, was originally home to Jocelyn and her mother.
Then came the cancer.
The morphine, the tests, holding her mothers hand every day until, suddenly, she was gone.
You know what happened next or at least you think you do.
Jocelyn canceled her globe-spanning tour, in what has been erroneously reported as a mental breakdown.
In truth, she was simply exhausted and grieving.
(In solidarity with fans, Jocelyn refunded all the tickets.)
What kind of strength does it take to live through the lowest moment of your life and keep going?
What kind of focus?
What kind of fortitude?
As we talk about her comeback, Ill learn that Jocelyn is not just a pop star.
Who among us has not had come on their face?
Jocelyns label exec asks.
Its a rhetorical question, I think, but theres no time for clarification.
This opinion is not universally shared.
Jocelyns managers, Chaim and Destiny, are irate.
Whats disgusting is that people arent looking at her as the victim in all this, he says.
A few minutes later, Live Nation honcho Andrew Finkelstein will arrive for an impromptu strategy session.
What does Jocelyn herself think about all of this?
Cmon, focus, Joss!
The routine for World Class Sinner turns out to be very referential.
Think Britney with the snake at the 2001 VMAs.
But on the first run-through, the vibe is more like Britney at the 2007 VMAs.
Shes a half-beat behind every step.Maybe shes not ready to come back after all.
No one would blame her.
Jocelyn, whos wearing a black miniskirt over an envy-inducing black bikini, watches and lights a cigarette.
Then she gets back to work.
Maybe its inspiration, maybe its jealousy all I know is that, this time, shes locked in.
Shes one of the greatest stars to ever live, says Chaim.
In that moment, no one would disagree.
The next day, Jocelyn and I are catching up poolside.
If yesterdays drama left any mark, it doesnt show.
Shes all effortless serenity.
I ask her if it hurt to be betrayed by a man she thought she could trust.
But what am I supposed to do?
She could fuck the guy up.
Name and shame him in the pages ofVanity Fair.
Her response shakes me to my core.
Its human, I say.
But Jocelyn has been famous since she was 6 years old.
She is understandably wary of adding more fuel to the media firestorm.
But now, I just know that Im being hustled.
I make a run at demur, but she looks me dead in the eye.
Dont worry, she says.
We all have to answer to somebody.
Who do you answer to?
