“Exclusive Interview with Pete Doherty: The Truth Behind His Rockstar Life”.

At 44 years old, the endearing Pete Doherty (The Libertines, Babyshambles), former partner of Kate Moss and former trash icon, has matured. He has buried his antics in the tomb of the 2000s and found refuge in Normandy, where he has taken up painting. As Canal+ Docs prepares to release a documentary (Stranger in my own skin) about him on February 19, 2024, let’s look back at our meeting with the rock star. Statements gathered by Chloé Sarraméa. The Libertines – Can’t Stand Me Now (2004). The time when Pete Doherty sang with his intoxicating but already drug-damaged voice, that if he had to go, it would be thinking about a woman’s love, seems long gone [“If I have to go/I will be thinking of your love” on the track Last Post On the Bugle from the album The Libertines, 2004]. Back then, his manager, family, colleagues, and girlfriends – everyone, in fact – feared receiving the fateful phone call informing them that their son, comrade, or lover had been found dead from a heroin or crack overdose. But this premonition of a fleeting future compromised by excess, provocation, and legal troubles was foiled by the rock star himself, who proved that he had a lucky star. Her name is Katia de Vidas, painting or music… It doesn’t matter, she kept him alive. Now married to a French filmmaker and, so they say, a fan from the beginning, the former flame of Kate Moss, incurable romantic and beloved bad boy, found refuge in Normandy, where he does graffiti, watches 50s film noir or old comedies. His divisive image as the last guy on Earth who doesn’t care about anything or anyone has shifted. The trash icon has turned into a domesticated guy, burying his antics in the tomb of the 2000s, and rejoicing that the hegemony of tabloids has been replaced by the era of TikTok. As he tours with the group he founded in 2002, the Libertines, the 44-year-old Englishman recently sold one of his paintings for over seven thousand euros at an auction at the prestigious Artcurial house, proving to the world that he didn’t need to self-destruct to be valued. On February 19, 2024, his new calm life will be the focus of the documentary Stranger in my own skin directed by his wife, Katia de Vidas, and broadcast on Canal+ Docs. And a new album from the Libertines, All Quiet on the Eastern Esplanade (2024) will be released on March 8, 2024. This is an opportunity to revisit our meeting in Paris with this endearing rock star. Interview with Pete Doherty, leader of the Libertines. Statement: “In 2019, you were arrested in Paris for a fight and buying cocaine. Two years later, you have the image, at least in France, of a man who has completely washed away his sins. What happened?” Pete Doherty: “I was arrested twice in forty hours and, to be honest, I was lucky not to go to prison! I had a lot of experiences with the English, Swedish, German police… but I had never dealt with the French authorities. Those two days were very harsh, it was like being hit by a bus. It changed a lot for me.” Q: “In the meantime, you fell in love as well…” A: “I was also at an impasse. I was lost between who I am and my oldest demons. So we had a little tête-à-tête. In life, everything seems to happen by chance but in the end, not so much. I fell in love and yes, very beautiful things happen.” Q: “Your label, Water Music and Strap Originals, is distributed by a major French company, you live in Normandy, and you’ve even become a meme with a video where you say you eat a lot of cheese… [He interrupts.] What do you mean, I’ve become a meme? Is it a viral thing, right? What do I say?” A: “You say you spend your time eating cheese in Etretat.” Q: “Oh my God, yes! I can’t do without it. That’s why I’ve become so big.” Statement: “The ‘Black Normandy’ painting by Pete Doherty was auctioned at Artcurial. ‘I would say that I was quite wise when I was younger. In fact, the funniest thing is that I feel like this wisdom is leaving me as I get older…'” Pete Doherty: “Would you have imagined for a second, ten years ago, spending your time relaxing by the sea in Normandy?” A: “Never. Maybe we don’t know it but our lives are all mapped out…” Q: “Some say we get wiser as we get older. Is that the case for you?” A: “I would say that I was quite wise when I was younger. In fact, the funniest thing is that I feel like this wisdom is leaving me as I get older… I’m more confused and… You know what? It’s hard to judge oneself. [He addresses Carl Barat.] ‘Carl, would you say I’ve become wiser as I’ve gotten older?’ [Laughter ensues.] [He continues.] Generally speaking, yes, I am a bit wiser.” Statement: “I heard you recently cancelled five interviews. Did you do it out of pure nonchalance, because you really didn’t have the time, or to cultivate a punk image?” A: “I wasn’t even aware of that! That’s terrible… and far from the idea of cultivating a punk image. I haven’t had a phone for two years and it’s starting to become a problem.” Q: “Why?” A: “It was at the time when I stopped heroin. At that time, my manager and my close ones immediately felt it would be difficult, with a phone, not to be tempted to contact old acquaintances, dealers, party companions… And they were right.” Statement: “One of my friends told me that you were the last of the punks. Do you confirm?” A: “Tell your friend that there are still some punks that I would gladly introduce to him!” Q: “Who?” A: “Peter Wolfe [lyricist of the Libertines and Babyshambles], John Lydon [member of the Sex Pistols]… And not necessarily famous people. Guys in the streets of London, Brighton, Glasgow, Paris… The punk spirit is very much alive: it burns in certain people who are ready to die for those values.” Statement: “Is it out of a thirst for rebellion that you took up graffiti?” A: “I started painting a few stenciled canvases. Then, as I toured Normandy, I realized I could tag small buildings, abandoned farms, disused warehouses… But my probation wasn’t over, so I preferred not to take any risks.” Q: “You play Vincent van Gogh, painting flowers in the fields?” A: “I could, but I don’t have the patience and discipline to do it. I spend time sitting in fields and woods but with a book, sometimes a guitar, never with a canvas. But maybe one day, when I earn a little more money and realize my dream: to buy a farm in Etretat.” Q: “Have you been eyeing it for a long time?” A: “Maybe. But I want it to be private. Some houses in Etretat are very curious, it feels like New Orleans. It’s a bit gothic, with wooden balconies, slightly mystical sculptures…” Q: “Do you believe in myths?” A: “Myths, fables, folklore, superstitions, nursery rhymes, lucky charms and spells, the magic of dark, wild woods… I believe in them strongly.” Q: “What about in God?” A: “It’s sometimes difficult to have a clear vision of Him, but from time to time, I think He is there… Don’t you?” Canal+ Docs will broadcast Stranger in my own skin (2023) by Katia de Vidas on February 19, 2024. All Quiet on the Eastern Esplanade (2024) by The Libertines, available….