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Mick Jagger recently reflected on a notable joke made by comedian John Mulaney about working with him during an episode of Saturday Night Live. In a candid interview with The New York Times Magazine, the legendary Rolling Stones frontman, now 82, addressed Mulaney’s humorous take on their interaction.
In Mulaney’s 2019 Netflix special Kid Gorgeous at Radio City, he shared an anecdote about pitching sketch ideas while serving as an SNL writer when Jagger hosted. Mulaney joked that, despite curiosity from friends about whether Jagger was nice, the answer was ambiguous-suggesting that the rock icon’s extraordinary lifestyle inevitably shapes his personality.
Jagger admitted he hadn’t seen the special but agreed there was some truth to Mulaney’s comments. “Obviously, it’s not normal,” Jagger said of his lifestyle, “It is not like most people’s lives.
It does affect you. You can become disassociated.”
The rock star emphasized that staying connected to everyday life has been a conscious effort throughout his career. “I mean, you do fight against it.
It’s a conscious effort,” he explained, adding that he tries to stay grounded by engaging in ordinary activities alone. Still, he acknowledged that the psychological impact of such a life can be enduring: “Your actual state of mind is permanently damaged.”
Jagger also touched on the intense pressures faced by performers in their late 20s and early 30s, a period he described as a challenging “ego trip.” He noted that a strong ego is often necessary in show business, and those without one may struggle to maintain an authentic persona.
With age, Jagger said he’s learned to separate his flamboyant stage presence from his private self. “This is the show business dichotomy, and it’s something you learn to live with,” he said, expressing hope that beneath it all, he remains a “so-called normal person.”
Despite his decades-long career, Jagger shows no signs of slowing down. Earlier this month, The Rolling Stones released their 25th studio album, Hackney Diamonds, featuring collaborations with Paul McCartney, Bruno Mars, and Chad Smith of Red Hot Chili Peppers.