As I was looking up photos for this story, it startled me to remember a time when John Mayer was … hot? In a physical sense. He’s always been a douche, but during his Jessica Simpson era (around 2006), he was the kind of guy who I’d let ruin my year. Then he outed himself as a douche supreme, and all bets were off.
From about 2008-2010, Mayer couldn’t help himself. He acted completely obnoxious. The highlight of this phase was John’s 2010 Playboy interview. He described Simpson as “sexual napalm“ and bragged about his racist wang and “hood passes.” John said, “My d*ck is sort of like a white supremacist. I’ve got a Benetton heart and a f***in’ David Duke c***. I’m going to start dating separately from my d*ck.” In 2012, John claimed to not recall his Playboy interview, saying, “It was a very strange time.”
John wined and dined many famous ladies — Simpson, Jennifer Aniston, Taylor Swift, and Jennifer Love Hewitt — and none of them have ever had anything nice to say about him in the aftermath. He may have had something to do with Giada De Laurentiis’ recent divorce too. Only Katy Perry has gone back for more, which says a lot.
John retreated from public life for a few years, partially because he’s been dealing with throat granuloma surgery. That sucks, but it doesn’t diminish his douchey ways. John sat down for a “rare interview” with Ronan Farrow for Today. Ronan’s narration describes John as a “tone-deaf playboy,” which sounds about right. John tried to explain himself:
The whole problem with his image: “I went, ‘All right, dude, you did a couple interviews where you were out of touch and you were being a ham — and you were basically break dancing into a nitroglycerin plant, right?'”
When he realized the public’s perception: “The first time somebody misunderstands you and says you’re a womanizer.”
IS he a womanizer? “No, absolutely not. You’re crafty and you’re clever and you go, ‘Well, I’m just going to be as strange as they think I am.’ And then you lose, number one you’re not playing music anymore. Number two, you’re not feeling anything honestly. Number three, you’re not saying anything honestly.”
Why he quit Twitter: “I’m a recovered ego addict. And the only way that I can be sure that I don’t relapse is to admit that I constantly have this ego addiction every day. So I do the Grammys, and I go home. If I say, I get high again. You’ve already looked through Twitter. Everyone goes, ‘It’s great,” and then you’re low again because you can’t stop looking. So I’m a recovered ego addict.”
A message to his younger self: “I’d say, ‘That guy’s really, really talented, but I don’t want to be anywhere near him when that thing goes off.
[From Today]
To Ronan’s credit, he did not laugh during this interview, although Ronan was visibly struggling after John’s final comment. Here’s the relevant clip.
Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
I find it hilarious how John pulls the “all about the music” card here. This is a guy who threatened to violate a magazine editor and bragged to the paparazzi about dumping Jennifer Aniston. Mayer hasn’t changed at all. He’s only learned to keep his mouth shut.
Photos courtesy of Getty, Fame/Flynet & WENN
Ah, Ronan is lovely.
John Mayer, on the other hand…not.
He is lovely! I had never seen him interview and he’s pretty good, given that he is only *checks google* 27 years old.
John seems completely full of himself. It’s as if he is giving us a word salad of nothing and expecting us to be completely thankful for his wisdom and perspective. And what is that denim matador jacket?? What a douche.
He’s 37, not 27
Nope, he’s 27. Born in 1987.
He has 1977 tattooed on his forearm and we were drinking buddies in 1998 in Atlanta, GA….he is 37.
@minnieder & @suzz54, EC is saying that Ronan is 27, not John Mayer. John Mayer is 37, Ronan is 27.
Ronan is the ONLY reason I will watch any televised news. I just want to look at how lovely he is too.
Fraaaaaaannnkkk…..who’s your daddy??
Why is Ronan doing fluff pieces about celebrities now??
Did not understand a word of what he was trying to say.
Ha, I’m glad it wasn’t just me.
Same here
I really thought I became stupid overnight. Did not understand a word.
Thank you so much. I thought it was the slight morning head.
Wow! Good. Neither did I.
John Mayer clearly considers himself an intellectual. I dont think anyone would agree with him, though.
Me either! Was he stoned? (I can’t watch video, it’s too loud where I am).
I read the headline as “recovering Lego addict”. Investing in deluxe single person coffee maker stat!
Hahaa!
I’m a recovering Lego addict. I relapsed when the Lego movie came out, but I’m back on the wagon now.
People thinking you are a womanizer has nothing to do with being strange john…
I don’t get the attraction for this dude. Many of my peers love him. To be honest, he has good songs, however I wouldn’t hit it then and I wouldn’t hit it now.
Shh. That’s a good thing because people like us who have taste will have less people to fight for the really good ones.
ha! exactly my thinking. i always smile to myself when i hear other women talk about “no good men left” trust me they are, they are usually not the “hot douche” though.
if more women loved decent men i would be single.
He’s not even hot. Just plain douche.
I need to say something nice…. Jessica Simpson looks amazing with that chestnut brown hair. It completely warms up her face, to have the hair a darker shade.
Now to be a little tacky.
Am I the only one amazed that Katy Perry had not turned up pregnant? She is so determined to remain a level 5 clinger over Mayer. Why not just go ahead and pop out that baby and hold onto him… f.o.r.e.v.e.r.
It’s a little known fact that the only remaining way to contract smallpox naturally is by having unprotected sex with John Mayer. At least, that’s what my brain just told me after I read your comment. All the ew.
Hautie
She is so pretty there. I think it’s not all her hair though. She’s younger with tanner skin and overall a lot prettier than she is now. Did she get a nose job?
Good hair color, less makeup, and (I hate to add this part) but this was also during one of her thinner periods. If I recall, she was on one of Harley Pasternak’s regimes for one of her crappy movies.
Ugh. Her acting was awful. I hate that I agree. She was looking very good when she was at her thinnest. She’s always has had a gorgeous face.
Jessica Simpson is a showgirl blonde by personality and temperament. When I saw this photo I cringe because it speaks volumes about their relationship. She felt she had to “change” for the critical and distant JM- become more “artsy” etc. It’s a sad photo because she admitted to not liking/accepting herself during this phase.
I think it was Lainey that described Mayer as constantly having a shame-face when he dated Simpson.
Mayor said it was a “strange time” during the Playboy interview AKA drugged out time. He’s very young but it”s clear in the interview he hasn’t aged well. Hard drug use will do that to you. Also explains why he stopped making music. She was younger/thinner but I think she gained weight with the pregnancies and when she got off the drugs. I’ve always rooted for her too… seems harmless.
Deehunny – he stopped making music because of the granuloma in his throat. And because he’s a mess. John Mayer has always been one of those guys that thinks he’s smarter than everyone in the room, and it hasn’t historically served him well in his interviews.
Deehunny
Simpson has notoriously terrible self care habits like hygiene and nutrition. How she ate during her pregnancy is how she wished she could always eat. And during her thinnest times she spoke of how it made her depressed. She missed junk food. And i’m not talking about how we all wish we could eat junk. That’s all she claimed to crave and she despised healthy food and working out.
Personally, I will indulge, but withing a few days my body craves a salad like madness.
Level five clinger, that explains her relationship with John Mayer in a nutshell! It is really sad that she keeps going back to someone who obviously mistreats her..makes one wonder about what really caused the Brand/ Perry divorce (I’m thinking her partying too much and doing coke and being well immature).
John Mayer chooses women who are easily impressed by his faux-intellectualism and artistic cred – usually women who aren’t exactly book smart. Remember how impressed Katy Perry was that Mayer does the crossword in pen?
And Perry and Brand broke up because they’re utterly incompatible. Different life goals, different friends, different priorities, different ideas of what’s fun. He’s an abrasive addict, she’s a dim pop tart. Terrible combination.
Andrea
Yea that’s about right from the info we got. Perry was being immature and admitted that outright and by action. Signing a smiley fave in her divorce papers seems pretty childish.
As abrasive as Brand is/was he was the adult in that relationship. Maintaining sobriety as well. It was noted a quite often Perry would have drugs (coke/weed/etc) around to get Brand to leave or upset him.
Bridget
Being opposites can work. You need the same wants though and value what you have over what you want for yourself. I think they fell in lust and ended up being dishonest with eachother and with themselves over what they really wanted in life. They went in other directions. Not that they couldn’t have made it work even if they wanted to.
No Mayer you’re just a jerk who publicizes pillow talk to get press.
+1
Thank you. I was wondering when someone would speak plainly about this guy. He’s a pig. If he were half as wonderful as he thinks he is, he’d be a killer. He’s still an insufferable douchebag. He’s sort of the white Kanye, only not as entertaining.
Ah so that’s what they’re calling self absorbed horrible manchild these days
So… he did this interview to improve his image?
I think so.. He may have an album coming out soon. I’m wondering if he’s still got it
This guy is douche-supreme but what a voice.
I think I might be the only person in the world who doesn’t like Ronan as an on-air personality. He’s an amazing writer — but in person, he’s got that exaggerated smiley-face, isn’t-this-all-so-much-FUN thing going on, and it really grates on me.
No. I’m there with you. I was so excited that he got his MSNBC show, but it was terrible. His writing though is awesome.
The fact that this man has had a string of beautiful successful women tolerating his douchery speaks volumes about what the entertainment world does to a woman’s sense of herself.
Maybe it speaks more about these women than Entertainment.. John is what he is.. and yet these women got with him. So why should he change if he can still pull “successful women”.
I agree. He’s disgusting but has no motivation to change if women flock to him. I guess it could just be coincidence that numerous young, beautiful, rich women find him desirable, but my conspiracy-dar thinks the entertainment industry is some how at fault for that.
What the hell does “sexual napalm” mean?
Same relation as calling something “Dynamite” or “Bomb.” Really good. Napalm being very effective for it’s characteristic traits helps define.
Or maybe he is just really good in bed?
I never understood the sexual napalm thing, is that supposed to be a compliment or an insult?
i never understood it either. maybe someone will explain it/
As in, Jessica Simpson’s sexuality explodes all over you and you don’t even know what hit you. My guess: it wasn’t intended as an insult, exactly, as he probably thinks “sex bomb” is a high compliment for a woman.
another word for sexy is hot and napalm is hot. John has a wide array of third grade metaphors like “Benetton heart”.
John was definitely complimenting Jessica. If you look at pics of them together , John is constantly holding Jessica ‘ s hand and seems happy to be with her.
If John would simply keep his mouth shut, and stop trying to be a comedian, women wouldn’t dislike him so much. I have read that John takes Xanax for anxiety.
His mind seems to race and I think all the bragging + rambling TMI indicates inadequacy somehow.
John is a brilliant musician, but his jibber jabbing is mentally exhausting.
John was an excellent student and was awarded a scholarship to Berkley, although later he dropped out.
Watch Live clips of John on You Tube. Love John the Musician, dislike him as a human being.
He actually seems to like Katy a lot, so that’s good I guess.
Not about him but it’s funny to me that anyone ever believed that Ronan Farrow was creepy, ugly ass Woody Allen’s son. He looks nothing like him.
Isn’t he rumored to be Frank Sinatra’s son?
yes that is the rumor and of course he looks just like him. they had a very public affair during that time
I think Ronan looks exactly like his mother. Of course, I would also rather be related to Sinatra than Allen!
I keep waiting for news that Woody has left Soon-Yi for one of their adopted daughters.
I’m just amazed that Jennifer Aniston was dumped in a humiliating way the first time and went back again and was dumped again. So far it looks like only Jennifer and Katy Perry braved the “Oscar” Meyer Weiner twice.
I am no John Mayer fan but I think I missed something about him and jennifer Anniston. I know they dated but I only read about nice things he had to say about her, something like she was sweet and a good communicator. What did I miss?
I remember one of the times he broke up with her via text, I don’t remember the other time, but I think I remember reading that she had no idea.
You think these women would just date him for a good time, and let him go instead of trying to turn him into some kind of Prince Charming.
Aniston went back because she didn’t want to face the Jolie without a date at the 09 (I think?) Oscars. Beyond pathetic. Like, Kardashian level pathetic.
Okay so my coworker found out my strong dislike of all things Mayer and has been torturing me at work with his music. He’s a douche of the highest order but, as much as it pains me to admit it, a really good musician as well. I don’t get why a woman would ever date him, but I can see why other musicians are willing to work with him.
** I can’t believe I said something nice about him, she is soo gonna pay for this tomorrow.
I never found him that attractive or his music that great, but I am sure if I met him in person he is that charismatic dude that charms his way into practically every women’s pants (you ladies know the type). I somehow would like to believe that Russell Brand would charm me more with his jokes/wit over Mayer (I doubt Mayer is that intelligent but I could be wrong).
So much toolishness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh yes, John Mayer is the bad breaker-upper from Seinfeld! Bahahaahaaa… 😀
Once upon a time, he performed in my city. During the show he threw a shirt to a cute girl. He went to a local tattoo shop after the show, and said girl got wind of it and followed him. She introduced herself and said yeah I’m the girl you three your shirt to. His reply? You looked skinnier in the audience. DOUCHE!
What a horrible human being, not that we didn’t already know that about him.
Wow. Pig much?
He’s so gross.
I’m sure he looked less haggard under the blinding house lights.
He is so gross.
I just read all the comments so I know everyone will hate me for it… but I’d still let him ruin my year. Eyes wide open.
I think it’s probably because when I first got into his music, I was growing up and maturing mentally. Plus of course, when you’re 14, the guy immediately turns into a kind of unhealthy unrealistic crush. Part of it too feels like a self-destructive thing.
That being said, I’ve been in an amazing amazing relationship with a great guy for 2 years. The kind some of you in the comments referred to as the good guy girls don’t usually go for.
I guess what I’m saying is that it’s almost like a court thing. Would I be aware that what I’m doing is a horrible idea and wrong? Yep. Would I do it anyway? Yep. Guilty as charged.
I don’t get it. There are men who are womanizers but they love or like women just not for forever and I could understand it for a fling, but John doesn’t like women. He likes to bang women and get his satisfaction, but he deep down doesn’t like women and feels superior and why he makes them feel that way in a relationship and feels the need to put them down in print in some sly way.
Pass.
Is he still relevant?
I think the only ex he never said anything about was JLM and he wrote that song “something about your body is a wonderland” to her.
JLM? Is that Jennifer Love Hewitt? Because per Mayer he wrote Wonderland for her. When he was 17.
no john mayer, you are just a raging douche.
I forgot what great quotes he gives during interviews! Mostly because they make not an iota of sense! How does he come up with such gems such as “breakdancing into a nitroglycerin plant?” I don’t even know what that is, is nitroglycerin an explosive chemical or something?
I’ve always thought he and Kanye should collaborate because they both have huge egos and I don’t understand what Kanye is talking about in interviews either.
I would bang John Mayer like a screen door in a hurricane. And need years of therapy for the resulting self hatred. He is the ultimate hatef***k.
Same here. I met him once in person, honestly, there is something about him. He is sexy. And tall!
Thank god I’m not alone here! And oh LORD why did you have to tell me he’s tall???!!!?
First of all, what’s the difference? Secondly, recovered ego addict should be a phrase I remember from now on.
This is the only thing I’ve ever liked John Mayer in, because he played his guitar and kept his mouth shut. That, and it’s Dave Chappelle. lol
http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/0cc0bac3ce/chappelle-show-dancing-for-different-cultures
I wouldn’t bang him anymore, but my God I totally understood what he meant when he said this:
“Number two, you’re not feeling anything honestly. Number three, you’re not saying anything honestly.”
I have a soft spot for this guy, most likely because I’m a closeted a-h*le with severe anxiety and poor social skills who uses comedy to navigate. Only difference is that my comedy is not as insulting as his (or, rather, it’s insulting in a different way). I would never do to men what he does to women, but that’s because I have a conscience. He just needs to get over himself and do what he loves to do and is good at: music. I don’t have his ego, though (sadly).
And yes, he has a certain type. No way could he handle being with an actual intellectual. He needs that constant admiration for his ego addiction.