Gayle King’s Persistence Pays Off with Exclusive Jay-Z Interview

Gayle King reveals that she went the extra mile before successfully securing an exclusive interview with the typically elusive Jay-Z.

During a candid conversation with Access Hollywood, King shared the challenges she faced in persuading the mega-star to sit down for an interview. Even her close friend Oprah Winfrey advised her to abandon the pursuit, stating, “You are making a damn fool of yourself. Stop asking him. He doesn’t want to do it.” Undeterred, King persisted, stating, “I couldn’t let it go. I don’t know why he said yes or why he changed his mind… I’m just grateful that he did.”

Eventually, King and Jay-Z connected for a conversation where the rapper delved into various aspects of his career and family life. One intriguing topic discussed was the hypothetical internet debate on whether a person should choose $500,000 over a chance to have lunch with Jay-Z.

Jay-Z’s response was pragmatic: “You’ve gotta take the money. You’ve got all that in the music for $10.99. I wouldn’t tell you to cut a bad deal. Like, take the $500,000, go buy some albums, and listen to the albums.”

The exclusive interview took place during a tour of “The Book of HOV,” an exhibit at the Brooklyn Public Library that provides insights into Jay-Z’s illustrious work and career. The rare and insightful conversation was later broadcast on CBS.